484 
EFFECTS OF THE ERGOT OF RYE. 
and a black foetid discharge from the vagina. Pressure on the 
abdomen gave pain, and a pup could be obscurely felt: the se¬ 
cretion of milk was suppressed, and the skin had lost its natural 
elasticity. 
. Tepid water, with a little soap dissolved in it, was immediately 
injected into the uterus, which, in a considerable degree, excited 
its action; and this injection was repeated two or three times 
vvith the same effect. The water was ejected, together with some 
foetid 'matter from the womb ; but, after waiting for half an hour, 
the foetus was not discharged, nor brought forward. 
A scruple of the ergot of rye was then made into an infusion 
with ^ij of water, and one-third of the infusion given as a dose; 
in half an hour another one-third of it: the injections of warm 
water and soap being also continued. Soon after the second 
dose of the infusion, a dead puppy was expelled ; the bitch 
rapidly recovered, and, with the exception of deficiency of milk, 
is now quite well. 
This case would seem to prove the great power of the ergot of 
rye over the uterus; but, until more experiments are made, it is 
necessary to be cautious in ascribing powers to medicines which 
have not been much tried in our practice. It is not improbable 
that the warm water and soap might have roused the uterus into 
action without the aid of the ergot; and it is, therefore, necessary 
that those who repeat this experiment should try the effects of 
the medicine unaided by the other auxihary. The great power 
which this medicine is said to have in the human being, and the 
apparent effect in the case just given, suggests the propriety of 
instituting a farther trial of it, and of extending it to cattle, 
amongst which difficult cases of calving so frequently occur.^ If 
its effects are found to be equal in cows to those which are 
ascribed to it in women, it will be found a useful addition to, our 
limited pharmacopoeia. 
ON SOME LATE EPIDEMIC DISEASES AND 
CHARACTERS OF DISEASE. 
For these three years past the influence of tlie atmosphere, 
under the various changes it has exhibited, has been peculiarly 
