1342 ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA. ^

referred to, I am inclined to think that any good effects obtainabl e e( Jaconite may be procured by its topical use. Dr. Turnbull has enffit internally also (see his Treat, on Painf. and Nerv. Bis. 1837)-Aconite has been administered internally in various diseases,pally on the recommendation of Shuck ( Essay on the Int. Use oj ^

Apple and, Monkshood, 1763). It has been employed as a narcotic ^dyne), sedative, sudorific, resolvent, and diuretic. The diseases i 11 ,0it has been employed are rheumatism, gout, scrofula, phthisis, ffiAhsome skin diseases, scirrhus and cancer, intermittents, dropsies, p a> ,epilepsy, amaurosis, uterine affections, and hypertrophy of the he& r ’

In the large majority of these maladies scarcely any practitioi ier ^, (lU !believes in its efficacy. Fouquier gave it very extensive trials ') piobtaining much relief from it, except as a diuretic in passive dropsy arheumatism it has frequently proved serviceable when combined , e( Jsudorific regimen. In hypertrophy of the heart it has been recoin 111 ^ psby Dr. Lombard {Brit, and For. Med. Rev. i. 249), on accountdecidedly sedative effects on the heart. .- v jty

ml 1

Administration.- —The only preparations of aconite, whose a ^may be relied on, are the tincture (made with rectified spirit), th (ifholic extract, and Morson’s aconitina. The powder is given in j llC ed'one or two grains, gradually increased, until some effects are P r ° call ge5But no reliance can be placed on it. When of good quality, ^ jt$numbness and tingling of the lips and tongue a few minutes aapplication to these parts. rg eK

1. Tinctuba Aconiti, (Root of Aconite, recently dried and co ^1powdered, lb. j.; Rectified Spirit , Oiss. Macerate for fourteenstrain). This formula is very nearly that given by Dr. Turnbull

on Pamf. and Nerv. Bis. p. 91, 1837). Its dose is five drops thre ^a day. It should be employed with great caution. As an cmbr° din neuralgia and rheumatism it is invaluable. It is applied by 1,ie j 0 f ia sponge tooth-brush, or a small piece of sponge attached to the eI1stick. _ . a #

2. Extractum Alcoiiolicum Aconiti. (Prepared by distffi 1 » 0 pspirit from the tincture, until the consistence of an extract has be ^.pjitained). It has been employed internally in doses of one-sixth 01every three hours.—It should be given in the form of pills {pilulemade of liquorice powder and syrup. It may be also employ 6nally in the form of ointment ( unguentum aconiti ), composed of 01

of the extract, and two parts of lard (Turnbull).

3. Extractum Aconiti, L. E. Succus Spissatus Aconiti, D-Aconite Leaves, lb.j. Having moistened the leaves with ai& ’ it, llirthem in a stone mortar; then press out the juice, and evaporate ’ j. s .strained, to a proper consistence. L. B. —“ Take of the leaves 01 ^ gg th ehood, fresh, any convenient quantity; beat them into a pulp; eX Pj 0ll gjuice; subject the residuum to percolation with rectified spirit, s 0 ^ tlfthe spirit passes materially coloured; unite the expressed juice ‘spirituous infusion ; filter; distil off the spirit, and evaporateduum in the vapour bath, taking care to remove the vessel froW

shall be attained, ’ a ii 1 'bness

so soon as the due degreeuncertain preparation.

of consistence

in of good quality it causes ninnbnt' 5 -’ r petingling, a few minutes after its application, in the mouth and t°

tincture or alcoholic extract are, in my opinion, greatly to be p re