3° 
R. P. STEDDON. 
their full capacity, no audible intestinal sound save that of the 
displacement of the inflated bowel by the diaphragm in the short 
shallow inspiration ; here we have the entire tract participating 
in the torpidity which assumes temporary paralysis. Again, in 
impaction of the various portions of the tract, in the numerous 
forms of indigestion, constipation and nearly all forms denomi¬ 
nated colic, this same torpidity, mild or severe, as the case may 
be, is directly accountable for the lesion. In acute indigestion, 
especially, there is a demand for hasty action and immediate 
relief, otherwise the patient will succumb to its deadly effects, 
viz.: rupture, absorption of gases, or resulting inflammatory 
action ; in this form of indigestion, and, in fact, in any of the 
disorders above mentioned, there is no agent so effectuous in 
restoring normal action and condition as eserine properly ad¬ 
ministered. Of the various preparations of eserine the sulphate 
is preferable, which should always be obtained in sealed glass 
tubes ; in preparing a solution the mistake is almost universal 
of using water with the addition of boric or salicylic acid, or 
some allied agent with a view of preserving the drug; when 
water is employed in such solution, after a short time the drug 
begins to deteriorate, which change is ordinarily indicated by it 
assuming a reddish tinge, and after a few weeks its action is ex¬ 
tremely uncertain, thus rendering it useless, and its administra¬ 
tion, after having undergone such change, being followed by no 
good results. Eserine is denounced as eminently unreliable and 
having no right to a place in the list of curative agents—a faulty 
preparation of a most valuable drug—and the advocates of its 
use will be attacked and even abused because they dare claim 
any virtue for it. The best vehicle for eserine for our use is 
pure alcohol in the proportion of three (3) drams of alcohol to 
one (1) grain of eserine ; thus we are insured a perfect solution 
and immunity from deterioration for the greatest time ; the pre¬ 
caution should also be taken to protect it from light by colored- 
glass bottles, or by wrapping in dark paper. Eserine should 
always be given hypodermically or intratracheally when prac¬ 
ticable, diluting the above solution with an equal amount of 
