230 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
The  powdered  bark  was  given  in  doses  of  8  grains ;  the  aque- 
ous extract,  in  doses  of  four  grains,  and  the  oleo-resin  in  three 
grains.  The  pure  resin  proved  purgative  in  six  grain  doses,  but 
did  not  expel  worms.  The  author  attributes  the  prostrating  ef- 
fects of  the  bark  to  the  volatile  oil,  as  the  resin  did  not  produce 
them.  The  effects  of  this  oil  is  so  decided  that  an  assistant 
charged  with  evaporating  the  extracts  has  been  seized  with  ver- 
tigo, cold  sweats,  and  vomiting  every  time  he  neglected  the  pre- 
cautions adopted  to  avoid  the  vapors  ;  and  the  author  himself  had 
experienced  them  to  some  extent,  from  similar  emanations,  and 
he  also  had  observed  the  effects  of  the  extract  on  a  dog,  acci- 
dentally taken. 
Being  satisfied  of  the  emetico-cathartic  and  anthelmintic  power 
of  the  ailanthus,  the  author  sought  to  verify  it  in  practice, 
and  gives  several  cases  in  point. 
1st.  F  ,  a  laborer  in  the  arsenal,  having  sharp  pain  in  his 
left  side,  stomach  and  abdomen,  was  examined  in  reference  to 
the  debris  of  taenia,  and  evidence  of  their  existence  noticed.  The 
usual  vermifuges,  such  as  pomegranate  bark,  castor  oil,  etc.,  did 
not  relieve  him.  The  powder  of  ailanthus  having  been  pre- 
scribed at  the  instance  of  the  author,  soon  expelled  several  frag- 
ments, and  another  dose  of  a  gramme  (15J  grains)  relieved  the 
patient  of  the  worm,  four  and  a  half  yards  in  length,  including 
the  head. 
Returning  to  the  hospital  ten  weeks  after  for  another  affec- 
tion, he  states  on  enquiry  that  it  had  not  returned  since. 
2d.  The  Abbe  L  having  noticed  portions  of  tape  worm 
came  to  the  hospital,  and  under  treatment  considerable  portions 
of  the  worm  were  expelled,  but  he  became  impatient  and  left  be- 
fore he  was  cured. 
3d.  L  ,  aged  49,  a  cooper  by  profession,  had  long  suf- 
fered from  the  tape  worm,  and  exhausted  the  nostrums  of  char- 
letans.  He  took  the  powder  of  ailanthus,  alternately  with  cas- 
tor oil  and  glauber  salts,  during  several  days,  the  dose  varying 
from  12  to  30  grains.  After  15  days  treatment  the  patient 
passed  a  complete  worm  5|  metres  (18  feet)  long. 
The  author  believes  that  the  ailanthus  has  also  febrifuge  pro- 
perties, and  that  its  administration  is  entirely  safe. 
