CORRESPONDENCE. 
259 
I believe the credit (if any) belonging to strychnia as to its thera¬ 
peutic effects in cases of purpura hsemorragica among us, is cordially 
accredited to our mutual friend, Mr. Hopkins. 
I understand Mr. Hopkins first applied it to what he termed an 
aggravated case, with no other intent at the time than for its toxicologi¬ 
cal or experimental effects. But, to his great surprise, the patient re¬ 
covered. (Hence the “ Bonanza.”) 
He commenced with very small doses, say J grain (if my memory 
serves me), and gradually increased it (at times omitted), carried to the 
extent of producing prostration, as he termed it, then by using supportive 
measures, and the ordinary treatment for purpura hsemorragica, he 
would carry his patients successfully through. I heard Mr. Hopkins 
state that this treatment was applied to many cases with the same result, 
viz., recovery. 
Practically, among us the use of strychnia in this disease was some¬ 
thing new, especially as applied ,, either in Mr. Hopkins’ cases or the one 
reported in your August issue. 
Strychnia, also ergotine, had both been used in the human subject 
previous to this time, as treatment for purpura hsemorragica, both on a 
different principle and in a different manner of dosing, yet with the same 
object. 
It is not now, nor was it at the beginning of this letter, my intent 
to discuss the therapeutic action of strychnia; but having carefully read 
every case (I could get hold of, without making one myself,) treated 
with strychnia, both those terminating fatally and those terminating 
favorably, I have failed as yet to discover any improvement whatever in 
the condition of the patient. 
Never have I read of but one case where I thought the drug 
(strychnia) was properly administered, and that case terminated fatally; 
in fact, there was not the least abatement in any of the symptoms—he 
passed straight on through. I do not consider this a test case, either 
for or against the use of strychnia, yet this is the only case where I 
thought the medicine was either given on the proper principle (that 
given by authority,) or in properfquantities. 
We are all well acquainted (or should be) with the physiological 
effects of strychnia ; we also should know its general and special thera¬ 
peutic action, for it is upon this knowledge alone can be based the 
principles for which it is given, and the results accounted. If not on 
this principle, then it is applied empyrically, and erroneous and decep- 
