144 
VERATRUM ALBUM. 
permanent benefit. Iii these cases, the root was selected in the 
spring, and given in powders, beginning with one grain, which was 
increased according to its effects ; eight grains were found to produce 
vomiting : in some instances it acted, more or less, on the secretions; 
in some cases the urine was increased, and in others the saliva and 
mucous discharge. Uterine obstructions of long standing, convulsive 
complaints, epilepsy, &c. have been removed by the use of it ; it has 
also been found to produce various efflorescences on the body.* 
Modern practice has almost entirely rejected its internal use, though 
some have ventured upon so large a dose as a scruple in maniacal 
cases, and it is said, have experienced good effects from it. 
Of Veratrine. MM. Pelletier and Caventon having re- 
marked that almost all the individuals of the family of Veratrum, 
besides the characteristics described by botanists, possessed a very 
acrid taste, and exercised a common action over animals, thought it 
probable that these properties arose from a particular substance 
common to all these plants; and by a careful analysis of the seeds 
of the Veratrum Sabadilla, they succeeded in isolating this acrid 
principle, in which they recognized all the alkaline characters, and 
to which they gave the name of Veratrine. They ultimately dis- 
covered the same principle in the Colchicum Autumnale, and the 
Veratrum Album, the plant under consideration. 
M. Magendie gives the following method for preparing Veratrine, 
as practised by MM. Pelletier and Caventon. " They repeatedly 
digested the seeds of the plants in boiling alcohol ; these tinctures 
filtrated while almost boiling, deposited, on cooling, whitish flakes 
of wax : they re-digested the matter which remained dissolved, after 
evaporating it to the consistence of an extract, in cold water ; a 
small quantity of fatty matter now remained in the filter: the solution 
was slowly evaporated, when it formed an orange yellow precipitate, 
which possessed the characteristics of the colouring matter, found 
in almost all the woody vegetables. On adding a solution of acetate 
of Itad to the liquor, a new and very abundant yellow precipita,te 
was immediately formed, which was separated by means of the filter. 
The liquor, now nearly colourless, still contained, amongst other' 
substances, the acetate of lead which had been added in excess, and 
which was separated by a current of hydro-sulphuric acid: the 
liquor was then filtrated, concentrated by evaporation, treated by 
magnesia, and again filtrated. The magnesian precipitate was 
* See Smjth in Medical Communications, vol. i. p. 207. 
