Osgood? s Observations on the Veratrum Viride. 215 
the more erratic in its character, and the earlier in its pro- 
gress, the more speedily does it yield to this course of medi- 
cation. In chronic rheumatism, unattended with, inflammation 
and swelling of the joints, it is less successful than in the acute, 
from its being a less controllable form of the disease. In this 
variety, however, it is probably more efficient than any other 
remedy of equal safety which we possess. It is often neces- 
sary to continue its use several days before much benefit is 
perceived. It is not very material whether it is exhibited in 
the form of tincture or extract. In acute rheumatism, where 
greater promptness is requisite, and small variations of dose 
often desirable, the tincture is most eligible; but in the chro- 
nic variety I have generally used the extract for the purpose 
of exhibiting in the form of pill, which in medium doses is not 
so liable to produce disturbance of the stomach. The follow- 
ing formula for a common rheumatic pill appears to be well 
adapted to a majority of cases. K. Ext. ver. vir. grs. x.; opii. 
grs. v. ; sapon. venet. grs. xv. ; muc. gum. Arabic, q. s. M. 
To be divided into thirty pills. Dose, one pill to be repeated 
every three or four hours, as the urgency of the symptoms 
may require. After two or three repetitions, there is usually 
some disturbance of the stomach, and occasionally slight nar- 
cosis. In metastasis of rheumatism to internal organs, this 
remedy is equally valuable. In cases of transfer to the brain, 
from external applications or other causes, it has been found 
highly beneficial, not only from its resolvant powers in arthri- 
tic inflammation, but from its narcotic properties in reducing 
the frequency and strength of the pulse. In a case of this kind 
which came within my observation about two years since, the 
pulse in a few hours was reduced in frequency from ninety- 
five to forty in a minute, with manifest relief of the existing 
delirium. I think it will also be found a valuable remedy in 
arthritic inflammation of the heart. So far as my knowledge 
of its use in this affection extends the result has been favour- 
able. 
Pneumonia, with the exception of low typhoid cases, is a 
disease in which it has been advantageously employed. It 
appears to be best adapted to the variety notha, and has often 
