Osgood's Observations on the Veratrum Viride. 209 
grades of irritation, vesication, rubefaction, &c.) it is some- 
times employed with advantage, though for this operation it 
is comparatively of minor importance; other articles being 
equally efficient and more generally at hand. Its errhine 
powers, (if this be an operation distinct from the latter, and 
I am inclined to think it is,) are produced either by the fine 
powder of the root, or the extract. When snuffed into the 
nose it produces long continued and sometimes violent ster- 
nutation. As illustrative both of the medicinal powers of 
this article, and its activity in the form of extract, I will briefly 
detail its effects, as produced on myself and another individual, 
a member of the profession, whose experiments were at my 
request, and in my presence.* 
At 12 o'clock, M. I took two grains of the finely pulverized 
extract. At 1 began to experience a slight sense of uneasi- 
ness at the stomach, but not amounting to nausea. This un- 
easiness at the stomach, though so slight as to be attended 
with very little inconvenience, continued till about half past 
i- 9 when vomiting commenced. The contents of the stomach 
were thrown off without nausea, but with a sense of rising in 
the oesophagus, which perhaps might be compared to the ru- 
mination of animals. Judging from my sensations at the 
time, should suppose the muscular fibres of the stomach con- 
tracted gradually and steadily upon its contents, until they 
were expelled, the diaphragm and abdominal muscles remain- 
ing entirely inactive. After the vomiting had continued a 
considerable length of time, it appeared to be more the effect 
of spasmodic action, and was attended with chills and cold- 
ness of the whole body, but moisture of the skin. At the ex- 
piration of about an hour vomiting ceased, and was followed 
by dimness of sight, dilatation of the pupils, vertigo, faintness 
and somnolency, pulse at the wrist 40 in the minute, and 
scarcely perceptible. I then took 25 rr^ laudanum, and fell 
asleep. After the lapse of an hour, awoke with the continu- 
* These experiments with the extract were made immediately after this pre- 
paration was formed, and before it had been at all used as a medicine. Its effects 
were noted down at the time, the substance of which are here given. 
27 
