Osgood's Observations on the Veratrum Viride. 211 
and at half past 12, all the muscles of the forearm were affect- 
ed in the same manner. At 1 vomiting; pulse 40, and other 
symptoms essentially the same as the day before, excepting a 
less degree of chilliness. At half past 2, took 45 ri\ laudanum, 
and in the course of two hours the effects of the medicine 
entirely subsided, excepting the inability of using the gas- 
trocnemii muscles. At 11 in the evening two grains more 
were taken, which, in about three quarters of an hour, pro- 
duced vomiting like the other cases, but without any appre- 
ciable narcotic effect. 
The freedom with which the extract was taken by this in- 
dividual, was not in conformity with my request, as I had pre- 
viously tested the effects of two grains upon myself. My 
wishes, however, were overruled in the confidence he had in 
his own powers of withstanding the effects of narcotic agents. 
He afterwards made experiments with this article in smaller 
doses, and at regular intervals. Doses of half a grain once 
in three hours, after being repeated three or four times, were 
followed by an uneasiness at the stomach, with the same pa- 
ralyzed condition of the extensors of the feet. The dose was 
then diminished to a quarter of a grain, and continued three 
days at the same intervals. With these doses, muscular ac- 
tion was not so constantly interrupted, this effect occurring 
only after considerable exercise, as walking or jumping. By 
continuing this article three or four days in doses of one- 
eighth of a grain, once in three hours, it was followed by mo- 
derate diuresis. The same effect was also noticed in two 
other individuals, who experimented with it at the same time. 
This operation, however, does not appear sufficiently promi- 
nent for the treatment of hydropic diseases. In no single in- 
stance in the experiments with this article upon myself and 
others, did it operate in the least as a cathartic ; nor in my 
practice since, have I ever discovered in it any disposition to 
pass off by the bowels. Dr. John Ware, of Boston, who ex- 
perimented with it in the form of powder of the root, states 
that he administered it in thirty cases, and " in no instance 
was it very clear that purging was produced."* 
* Vide Dr. Bigelow's American Pdedical Botany, Vol. II. Part 2d. 
