ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

756

Dr. Gorres (Dierbach , Neueste Entd. in d. Mat. Med. S. 253, 1837) gave eiibebm. ^both acute and chronic gonorrhoea, to the extent of one drachm, four times daily* phe premised the use of phosphoric acid. . j 5

4. Extractive matter of Cubebs .—Vauquelin says the extractive matter of cubeanalogous to that found in leguminous plants. It is precipitable by galls, but noacetate of lead.

Physiological Effects; —Cubebs belong to the acrid spices, a ^ re ®^f(p. 72) noticed. Their sensible operation is very analogous to tha ^black pepper. Taken in moderate doses, they stimulate the stoma >augment the appetite, and promote the digestive process. In l ar kquantities, or taken when the stomach is in an irritated or inflanmia .condition, they cause nausea, vomiting, burning pain, griping) aeven purging. These are their local effects. The constitutional 01are those resulting from the operation of an excitant,—namely') ^creased frequency and fulness of pulse, thirst, and augmented heat-probably stimulates all the mucous surfaces, but unequally so. I 11instances, cubebs give rise to an eruption on the skin, like urticaria. >■unfrequently they cause headache; and occasionally disorder of ,cerebro-spinal functions, manifested by convulsive movements or l’ a J ( .paralysis, as hi a case related by Mr, Broughton ( London Med■ “vol. i. p. 405). ... Gal

Cubebs appear to exercise a specific influence over the urino-gv’ 11apparatus. Thus they frequently act as diuretics, and at the sa ^time deepen the colour of, and communicate a peculiar aromatic oto, the urine. Their stimulant operation on the bladder is well i ^trated by a case related by Sir Benjamin Brodie (Ibid. vol. i. p- 0 ]jA gentleman, labouring under chronic inflammation of the bladder,fifteen grains of cubebs, every eight hours, with much relief. j oS eanxious to expedite his cure, he, of his own accord, increased th e .;to a drachm. This was followed by an aggravation of the sympWj j,jthe irritation of bladder was much increased, the mucus was secretemuch larger quantity than before, and ultimately the patient died,—^

death being, I will not say occasioned,” adds Sir Benjamin , “ hnf qjitainly very much hastened, by his imprudence in overdosing himsehthe cubebs.”

Three drachms of cubebs caused in Piil (Wibmer, Arzneim. &• c jj,Bd. iv. S. 217) nausea, acid eructations, heat at the pit of the stoW' aheadache, uneasiness, and fever. ^g.

Uses. —The principal use of cubebs is in the treatment of gonof] ^They should be given in as large doses as the stomach can bear, 111 0 .early stage of the disease; for experience has fully proved that inportion to the length of time gonorrhoea has existed, the less aine ! ., isis it to the influence of cubebs. In some instances an immediate * onlyput to the progress of the malady. In others, the violent symptoni e garc palliated ; while in many (according to my experience in most) °ino obvious influence over the disease is manifested. The P reS( '* ige ofactive inflammation of the urethra does not positively preclude thecubebs, though I have more than once seen them aggravate the g lt >toms. Mr. Jeffreys ( Observ. on the Use of Cubebs, or Java PepP e ^\^ piccure of Gonorrhoea, 1821) thinks the greatest success is met withmore inflammatory forms of the disease. Cubebs have been c ^ towith inducing swelled testicle ; but I have not observed this affe