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SELECTED ARTICLES. 
appreciable effect, nine had from two to eleven stools; two of 
the first had colic resembling that from lead. One of them 
took the next day an ounce and a half of castor oil, which 
procured five stools, and the succeeding day another drachm 
of the Convolvulus Orizabensis, which likewise produced five 
stools. The second, on whom the jalap had not manifested 
any effect upon the first day, took on that following another 
dose of one drachm, which was followed by a copious stool. 
Of the sixteen patients who took half a drachm, three had one 
stool, three had two stools, one had three stools, one from 
four to five stools, two from five to six stools; in the remain- 
ing four there was no effect. 
In general, the action of the medicine appeared similar to 
that of the Convolvulus officinalis; like this, it presented ir- 
regularities and anomalies. It may be considered as certain, 
that the Convolvulus Orizabensis is endowed with less ener- 
getic purgative properties, and consequently it must be em- 
ployed in the dose of from thirty to thirty-six grains at least, 
to act as the customary purgatives. 
The purgative effect, whenever it took place, once only 
excepted, was mild and unaccompanied with colic. 
Now if the Academy will recollect that the proportional 
relation between the resin of the new jalap and that of the 
old is as six and a half to ten, and that this resin is destitute 
of acridity, it will doubtless agree with us, that the results of 
the analysis accord with the therapeutic effects. 
CONCLUSION. 
The committee, from the foregoing, have the honor to pro- 
pose to the Academy to reply to M. the Minister, 
1st. That the root of the Convolvulus Orizabensis can be 
employed as a purgative medicine, by augmenting the dose, 
under the same circumstances as when the use of officinal jalap 
is indicated. 
2d. That in consequence of the difference between it and 
the old jalap, both in the proportion of the purgative principle 
and the chemical properties of this principle, the new medi- 
