Am.  Jour,  riiarni. ) 
April,  1883.  j 
Varieties. 
199 
which  proved  to  be  a  mixture  of  several  acids  not  yet  identified,  but 
possibly  containing  palmitic  acid. — Ibid.,  pp.  34 — 38. 
Convallaria  majalis  has  recently  been  recommended  as  a  substi- 
tute for  digitalis  in  regulating  the  frequency  and  rhythm  of  the  heart- 
beats, increasing  the  strength  of  the  contractions  and  raising  the  blood 
pressure,  and  as  being  free  from  the  cumulative  action  of  digitalis. 
Dr.  B.  Stiller  has  used  the  drug  in  twenty-one  cases,  of  which  seven- 
teen gave  absolutely  negative  results,  showing  not  the  least  influence 
on  the  frequency  or  rhythm  of  the  heart's  action ;  two  individuals 
experienced  a  certain  degree  of  diuretic  effect  without  any  of  the  other 
Taunted  phemomena,  not  even  the  dropsy  being  diminished ;  only  two 
patieiits  underwent  decided  improvement  in  most  of  the  cardiac  symp- 
toms during  the  use  of  the  new  medicine ;  but  these  cannot  outweigh 
the  large  balance  of  negative  results. — Boston  Med,  and  Surg.  Jour., 
:Feh.  22,  1883;  Wiener  Med.  IVoch. 
VARIETIES. 
Willow  Leaves  in  Ague.— The  "Lancet"  says  that  an  Indian  sur- 
'geon,  Chetan  Shah  by  name,  has  recently  revived  the  use  of  willow  leaves 
in  intermittent  fever.  This  is  an  old  remedy,  now  almost  forgotten  in 
Europe,  while  the  leaves  of  several  species  of  willow  are  still  largely  pre- 
scribed by  hakims  of  India  and  Afghanistan,  especially  in  the  form  of  a 
distillate.  Among  the  lower  classes  of  Cabul,  and  especially  in  women, 
quinine  was  found  to  irritate  the  bowels,  while  the  juice  of  the  fresh  willow 
leaves,  largely  diluted  with  water,  rarely  failed  to  cure  intermittent  fever* 
In  pregnant  women  the  willow  leaf  is  almost  always  found  preferable  to 
qmnine.— Med.  and  Surg.  Beporter. 
The  Action  of  Quassin. — Dr.  Comparden  finds  that  quassin,  the  active 
principle  of  Quassia  amara,  in  moderate  dose,  produces  an  increase  in  the 
salivary,  hepatic  and  renal  secretions,  and  acts  as  a  stimulant  to  the  mus- 
cular fibre  of  organic  life.  In  doses  of  15  milligrams  to  15  centigrams,  it 
causes  in  man  a  burning  pain  in  the  oesophagus,  headache,  nausea,  vertigo, 
dimness  of  vision,  vomiting  and  diarrhoea,  and  cramps  of  the  muscles  of 
the  leg.  These  symptoms  are  removed  by  chloral  or  chloroform. — Bull. 
06n.  de  TMr.—PMla.  Med.  News. 
Death  from  Dichloride  of  Ethidkne. — The  "  Lancet,"  January  27, 
1883,  records  the  death  of  a  man  who  was  anaesthetized  with  the  above 
agent.  Nitrite  of  amyl,  and  artificial  respiration  for  an  hour,  were  useless. 
The  .heart  was  flabby,  thin  and  extensively  degenerated ;  the  valves  were 
healthy.— illfed.  and  Surg.  Reporter^  March  17. 
