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ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MISDICA.

there hepatized. Moreover, it has been assumed that the same effectsare produced in the human pulmonary organs; and in support of thisopinion a case noticed by Jules Cloquet (Orfila, Toxicol. Gen.) has beenreferred to : it is that of a man who died of apoplexy, but who, withinfive days of his death, had taken 40 grains of tartar emetic. “ In thelungs were observed blackish spots, very irregular, which extended moreor less deep into the parenchyma of this organ.” Furthermore, it isargued, unless we admit a specific influence of antimony over the lungs,we cannot well explain the beneficial effects of this remedy in peripneu-monia. In opposition to this view, I would remark, that in cases of poi-soning by this substance in the human subject, no mention is made ofdifficulty of breathing, cough, pain, or other symptom, which could leadto the suspicion that the lungs w r ere suffering ; and in the case of poison-ing related by Recamier (Orfila, op. cit.) w r e are distinctly told that thethorax was sound. Besides, we should expect that if emetic tartar hada tendency to inflame the lungs, or at least to occasion pulmonaryengorgement, that large doses of it would not be very beneficial in acuteperipneumonia. It would even seem that this substance must have aninfluence over the human lungs of an opposite kind to that supposed byMagendie; for, as already related, it reduces the frequency of respirationin a considerable number of instances.

The sedative influence of emetic tartar over the circulatory system hasbeen already noticed: it is, however, not always evident.

The great depression of the muscular power, the diminution of thefrequency of the pulse and fainting, the epigastric pain sometimes expe-rienced under circumstances that almost preclude the supposition ofgastric inflammation, the cramps and convulsions, the delirium and insen-sibility, caused by emetic tartar in poisonous doses, are referrible to theinfluence of this substance over the nervous system.

The absorbent system is supposed to be stimulated to greater activityby emetic tartar, in consequence of the disappearance of serous andsynovial effusions under its use. Moreover, Laennec {op. cit. p. 203)ascribed the efficacy of it in peripneumonia to the increased activity ofthe interstitial absorption.

The influence of it over the secreting organs has been before referredto. Every one is familiar with its diaphoretic properties. Its diureticeffect is best seen when the skin is kept cool, and w hen neither vomitingnor purging supervene, Magendie says, it augmented the secretion ofsaliva in dogs ; and the same effect has been observed in man by Drs.Griffith and Jackson. The menstrual discharge is not checked by it;but occasionally has come on under its use.

Uses. —As an emetic , this salt is usually administered by the stomach,but it is sometimes used as an enema, and injected into the veins. Whenadministered by the stomach, it is generally given in doses of one or twograins, frequently in combination with ten or fifteen grains of ipeca-cuanha. When our object is merely to evacuate the contents of the sto-mach, and with as little constitutional disorder as possible (as in cases ofnarcotic poisoning), other emetics (as the sulphates of zinc and copper) areto be preferred, since they occasion less nausea and depression of system,while they excite speedy vomiting. On the .other hand, when we usevomiting as a means of making an impression on the system, and therebyof putting a sudden stop to the progress of a disease, emetic tartar is by far