THE THERAPEUTICAL POWERS AND PROPERTIES OF VERATRUM TIRIDE, B Y WESLEY C. NORWOOD, M. I)., O F OOKESBURY, S. 0. Second Edition. NEW YORK: D. BEDPOBD, & CO., PRINTERS, 115 & 117 FRANKLIN STREET. 1 856. PREFACE. A few words by way of Preface to the Profession. We have endeavored to give as much information in as small a space as we could. How important it is to the physician to have his most efficient and valuable medicines in a convenient form, and of such strength that he can rely on the results he wishes to accomplish with certainty. Suppose, for example, a physician had an agent whose exact powers he did not know, how much of his time would he wasted —how much would his patients be endangered by the delay occasioned in testing and ascertaining the powers and strength of his remedy ? It would cost him more than ten times its value in the consumption of time, aside from failing to arrest the progress of disease in a severe case. How long, and how much care and attention is necessary to ascertain the powers and properties, and uses of any active and efficient remedy but very few reflect. How long was Quinine or Cinchona in use before its great value and powers were known. Would it not have been worth countless millions to the profession and to suffering humanity if one, or a few physicians had directed their investigations to that agent alone, and presented a full and detailed account of its powers and uses, and a reliable method for using it. We venture there is not a physician in the world who would be compelled to spend the time in watching, and in ascertaining the powers of V. Viride, and the manner of using, and the diseases in which it is indicated, and of obviating any drastio effects, for ten times all he would use in his life would coat him- 4 But when the unsurpassed value of the remedy is brought into the account; when it is known that it possesses powers that cannot be supplied by any and every agent of the Materia Medica, singly or combined ; when it is known that it is the only agent by which we can say to the tumultuous and tempest-tossed heart in febrile and inflammatory diseases, be still, and lo all is quiet, and this wayward organ grows calm in all its actions, and the vital fluid flows smoothly and gently through all its channels, the price sinks into utter insignificance. We know there are many prejudiced against its use. We say to all such, give it a fair trial. You would not expect an agent capable of controling the action of the heart, arteries, and system at large, to require no more watching and care than a dose of Magnesia, or a portion of Spts. of Lavender. It would be the extreme of vanity for us to suppose that we could induce any one to believe we were offering to the world a remedy that never fails. W. C. NORWOOD, M. D. We give directions on the label, but every one should possess a circular which contains all required. NORWOOD ON THE THERAPEUTICAL POWERS OF YERATRUM YIRIDE. We have devoted much, time and careful attention to ascertain the powers, properties, and uses of Yeratrum Viride ? or Green Hellebore. And we believe that our experience full}'' justifies us in confidently asserting to the profession that it stands alone and unrivalled as a curative agent. We do not mean, by any means, paliative, but most emphatically, a curative agent. We also affirm that it possesses a greater number of valuable powers either primarially and subordinately, or secondarially, and that it is indicated and applicable to the treatment and cure of a greater number of acute and severe febrile and inflammatory diseases than any other agent known to the Materia Medica or the medical world. We further affirm, not only on an experience of twelve years, but on the undoubted testimony of many abler pens and wiser heads than our own, that it is the great desideratum of the medical world. And that it is the only agent that can be relied on to control arterial and vascular excitement. That it may be pronounced to be certain and 6 unfailing in its effects. That if properly given, and the condition of the patient, and the circumstances of the disease attended to, the failures will be so few, that it may fairly and legitimately be asserted to be unfailing and reliable in its effects. We have published many of our own cases, and the numerous assertions of others who have written us, testifying in the most emphatic language, that all we claimed for the Y. Yiride was not only true, but that we had failed to reach its value or fully attest its powers by any statements that we had published. But lest we should be thought too sanguine on the value and uses of the Y. Yiride we will refer to the letters published in this circular. And after all that is studied and reflected over, we would then refer our readers to articles published in the Medical Journals by Professors Watson and Frost, and Drs. Nott, Antony, Wilson, Wilborn, Summer and O'Keef, and many others. Aside from all this host of testimony and cloud of disinterested witnesses, we have invited the attention of the profession, and have challenged scrutiny and contradiction in regard to the claims we have set upon it. We will further add, that there is no article of the Materia Medica capable of performing so much, unaccompanied with any ultimate ill effects whatever. Twelve years of careful watching and experience have not furnished us with a single case of our own, nor has our immediate neighbors, who have used it with a full freer hand than ourselves, reported a single case where any ultimate ill effects were sustained whatever. Indeed, we are fully persuaded that it is never attended with any unfriendly sequela to the system. We trust sufficient has been affirmed of its powers to induce every physician to give it a fair trial. Our method of testing a remedy with which we are not familiar is this : we first select a case that is moderate in which a few hours will not matter. We then withdraw all other remedies and give the one we wish to test carefully and alone; by this means we learn the powers of the 7 new remedy alone, and without detriment to the patient. The most usual way in which new remedies are tested, is to defer their use till all others fail, and there is no prospect of success with any remedy. Then, in the last resort, the new remedy is tested; if it succeeds, it is all and every thing; if it fails it is worse than useless. So that whether success or failure attend, it gives but little information to the person useing it, for the powers and properties, and doses of remedies are never to be learned by their use in extreme cases. Again, as a general rule, too much is expected from a new remedy, and men seem to forget that all remedies occasionally fail. We shall now notice the powers, properties, and diseases in which it is used, and our manner of using it, and trust that others will carefully and fully test its merits, and if we have mistated, or misrepresented, that they will correct any errors or mistakes into which we may have fallen. Our highest aim is the advancement of our profession, and the relief and best interest of suffering humanity. And we know of no way in which we can benefit society so largely and certainly as by placing this remedy in a pure and reliable form within the reach of every physician, and by giving a brief statement of its powers, and the diseases we have used it in, and the manner of using, and also, by giving the statements, opinions, and experience of others, which will confirm and establish all we have so earnestly urged in regard to the V. Viride. The first power or property we shall notice is that it is acrid, producing a peculiar warm and biting sensation in the mouth and fauces after chewing. It is a very active sternutatory, exciting rapid and almost continued sneezing when the least quantity of the powdered root is applied to the nostrils. t is also rubefacient, producing burning and redness when the tincture is applied to the surface, thereby often relieving pain. The above named are prominent of the kind, but not important like the following. 8 It is the most certain and valuable emetic. The vomiting being full and free, with frequently little or no retching. The liver is excited and bile is freely thrown off during the second or third effort at vomiting. As an emetic it is valuable in croup, asthma, whooping-cough, scarlet fever, &c. It is the most efficient and certain diaphoretic, acting from the mere softening and relaxation of the skin, to the most free and profuse perspiration. Indicated in all febrile and inflammatory cases where the surface is hot and dry. It is adenagic, alterative, or deobstruent, equaling, if not surpassing, iodine and mercury. This property and power renders it peculiarly valuable in scirrhous, cancer, and glandular effections generally. We will notice in this connection, that Prof. Prost, of Charleston, S. C, has used it with much benefit in cancer and epilepsy, and looks on it as a valuable remedy in many chronic diseases. It is expectoran —so much so that we rely almost alone on it, and no other. It is nervine, not narcotic. We could never perceive any narcotic effects in our patients, or ourselves, and we have taken it more than twenty times in minimum and emetic doses. It is not cathartic by any means. It promotes appetite when given in very small portions. But the greatest and most valuable power, and that which so emphatically distinguishes it from all other agents or remediesis its power and ability to control the action of the heart and arteries. This it effects with such certainty, clearness, and extent as to strike with perfect astonishment all who have witnessed this wonderful effect. Neither is it in the power of man to describe it so as to enable any one to form any idea of the result who has never witnessed its effects. Indeed, no man can have any conception of the effect who has not witnessed the fact. Who can fail to appreciate the usefulness and power of an agent or remedy capable, in from six to twenty hours, of reducing a pulse from 130 or 14.0 down to from 50 to 60 and 70 beats per minute, rendering the hot and dry skin cool and moist. There are 9 one or two effects we will notice in this place. In hysterical and very excitable patients it produces a strangling and suffocating sensation during the act of vomiting, resembling globus hystericus, or even where there is much nausea or retching. It often excites great coolness of the surface, often icy coldness. These last symptoms, in connection with the above, often alarms the friends, bystanders, patient, and physicians, who are unacquainted with the occurrence of such effects. When the nausea, vomiting, and paleness, and coolness are in excess, the surface is often bathed in perspiration, and the pulse is often reduced to 60 beats per minute, and occasionally not exceeding 35 beats to 50 per minute. Should these effects be in excess the quantity of the tincture should be reduced, and one or two portions of syrup of morphine, and strong alcoholic tincture of ginger will banish every unpleasant symptom in less than thirty minutes. The vomiting is often rapid, and almost continuous. We have known patients to vomit from forty to fifty times with perfect impunity, and all of those symptoms, however urgent, removed in thirty minutes or less, by the above agent. Indeed, the one set of remedies is as efficient and certain of affording relief as the other is of producing the apparently unpleasant effects. We rely on it as the remedy in typhoid fever, and administer it with every assurance of success. We put the patient on the free use of it at once, and press it till every symptom is controled or arrested. Our plan is to reduce the pulse to between 55 and 75 beats, and keep it at the point desired night and day. In severe cases it should be reduced, at least, to the natural standard, if not below it. By this kind of reduction the febrile and inflammatory symptoms vanish, and the patient is kept quiet, and tranquil, and comfortable. A great many fail of success by not reducing the number of the pulsations sufficiently, or by suspending the use of the remedy before the disease is fully routed out. It is out of the question for febrile and inflam- 10 matory action to exist and continue their ravages "for any great length of time when the pulse is kept at 60 or 65 beats, or even less. We have kept it, for clays, at from 42 to 45, and 50, with success. In typhoid fever, where there is yellow fur on the tongue, and bitterish taste in the mouth, we push the remedy to vomiting. In many cases, after the pulse is reduced, and the quantity of the tincture lessened, we find a tendency in the afternoon for the pulse to quicken a few beats, and the skin to be rather dry, and a more frequent call for water. We have made it a point to increase the dose one or two drops for a few evenings so as to anticipate and prevent this effort at an exacerbation. In Pneumonitis we consider it as much of a specific as quinine is for intermittent fever. When the case is severe we give the patient a full portion, six or eight drops, and increase it till free emesis takes place. You will then find the pulse reduced, febrile symptoms subdued, and pain relieved. There is a variety of pneumonia in which there is yellow fur on the tongue, bitterish taste in the mouth, pain under the scapula or clavicle, the matter expectorated yellow and tenacious, or adhering closely to the vessel, and resembling melted sulphur. In this sort of cases one or two full portions of calomel should be given, or your patient will convalesce very slowly, and the recovery will be imperfect. These cases are very liable to be troubled with hiccough when not properly treated. We have met with cases where the patients were badly salivated with small doses of calo mel, and blue mass accompanied with the above symptoms, and uninterrupted hiccough. However bad the salivation, twenty grains of calomel in syrup should be given and repeated in six or eight hours if the first dose fails to arrest the hiccough. The calomel is the only remedy in such cases, and the febrile symptoms should be kept subdued by Y. Yeride, and your patient will soon be well. We have used it with unfailing success in orchitis or metastasis to the testicle in mumps, not failing to relieve the pain and febrile 11 symptoms in less than fifteen hours. We have used it with the most favorable resiilts in asthma, whooping cough, croup, measles, and scarlet fever. In scarlet fever we use it in combination with diuretics and find it superior to all other remedies we have ever tried. We find it to rob puerperal fever of its terrors, and to save from death many that could not be relieved by any other remedies. Why should it not succeed in this fearful disease ? How is it possible for inflammation to keep up and advance when the action of the heart and arteries are kept at the natural standard if not below ? In these fearful, alarming, and rapid diseases, the pulse should be kept as far below the natural standard as possible, and the patient be kept perfectly quiet and still. But farther inflammation has its seat in the capilary system. Where the pulse is kept slow, the surface cool and pale, the capilaries become emptied and the blood flows quietly through the large vessels, or mere canals of the system. The capilaries are the seat of all morbid and vitiated actions and sensations, and by holding the heart in abeyance, the chief organ and instrument of action in the vascular system, you have the destiny of your patient in your own hands. We should attempt the cure of yellow fever by the same method. We feel confident, that by using the V. Veride, or Green Hellebore freely and perseveringly, the first twenty-four hours that this fearful scourge would fail for want of fuel. We would keep the vascular system, the heart in particular, curbed and under full check, and prevent that rapid expenditure of vital power and energy resulting from rapid and violent arterial action. In convulsions accompanied with febrile action, we rely on it in treatment of children. In acute chorea, so soon as vomiting was excited we found the symptoms readily yield, and by continuing the tincture in less dose for some days after the cures were effected. Drs. Terry, of Georgetown, Geo., and Shepherd, of Eufaula, Alabama, have confirmed our own experience by their success. Indeed, we should use it 12 in all febrile and inflammatory diseases accompanied with frequent pulse, and hot and dry skin. "We have used it with success in a case of inveterate dysmenorrhea which had resisted other remedies for years. We notice a statement of success in dysmenorrhea in the Memphis Medical Recorder. It has been used in cancer, epilepsy, and palpitation of the heart, with great relief from suffering. In gout and rheumatism, it promises much from the limited trial that has been made. I should, by no means, omit to state its great value in the treatment of mania. Directions for using our Tincture. —Take simple Syrup of Squills and the Tincture, and mix drop for drop, or ounce for ounce, shake well. Of this mixture, to an Adult Male begin with from four to six drops and increase from one to two drops every portion given till the pulse is reduced, or nausea or vomiting excited. Then reduce the dose from two to four drops, according as the reduction took place without or with nausea or vomiting. If you wish to avoid nausea or vomiting, begin with four drops and increase but one drop every portion given till the excitement is controled. In Females begin with from three to five drops, and increase one or two drops every portion given till the effects desired are obtained, then reduce the quantity from two to four drops if necessary. If you wish in their case to avoid vomiting and nausea begin with three drops and increase but one every portion given till the end desired is reached, then reduce the quantity. For Children mix two drops of simple Syrup of Squills with one drop of the Tincture, or two ounces with one. From one to two years old begin with two or three drops and increase one every portion given till you succeed in reducing the heart's action, or nausea or vomiting is excited, then reduce the quantity from one to four drops as may be required. By beginning with two drops and increasing but one drop every portion given, nausea and vomiting may be avoided. We give a portion regularly every three hours in a little sweetened water. If 13 nausea or vomiting should occur or be in excess, Syrup of Morphine and Tincture of Ginger will relieve every symptom. Or Morphine and Tincture of Ginger, or Laudanum and Tincture of (-ringer, or Brandy and Morphine, or Laudanum and Brandy will answer, or Morphine, or Laudanum alone. Sometimes the vomiting is nearly continuous. Where this is the case, give a teaspoonful of Brandy and a few drops of Laudanum or Morphine every five minutes till the sypmtoms are arrested. By this method we accomplish our purpose without nauseating or vomiting, one case out of twenty. In severe and rapid cases it would be right and proper to begin with a large portion and increase from one to three drops every portion given till we gained our object. The above we trust will be sufficient to enable the most fearful to give it with perfect confidence and assurance. If we had not already occupied so much time and space with our remarks, we would give a remedy for rheumatism and gout, and for puerperal convulsions; also a cure for scald head. The remedies for the last named diseases have been tried to an extent that enables us to speak with confidence in regard to their success. What they are and how they are used shall appear in our next, when we prepare another lot of Tincture the next spring or fall. Our object is to be useful to our brethren in the profession, and to benefit suffering humanity. And we can assure those who may use our Tincture that they can rely on its performing all we claim for it in from nine to twenty-four hours ; and that the Adult dose, as mixed above, will take effect in the quantity of from six to twelve drops unless in an extreme case of torpor or insusceptibility. In Females the effective dose will be between four and ten drops when mixed as directed. In Children, from three to six, or perhaps nine drops when prepared for use as directed. The six drop dose will not often be exceeded. The smallest dose we have known to effect a male ult was three drops. 14 The largest dose we have known required was twenty-five drops. The smallest dose for a female was two drops ; the largest was seventeen drops. In these cases it was undiluted. We shall now give the opinions and letters of others to give confidence to those who may doubt, and to strengthen the wavering. We are desirous of correcting a great error that has become prevalent, and which is occasioning confusion and disappointment with many. It is asserted by some that the active principle of the green Hellibore is to be found in several if not many varieties of the veratrums or Hellebores. This we pronounce unhesitatingly not to be the case, and the green Hellebore is the only plant that possesses the properties yet known, and there is but one plant supposed to possess similar powers, and that is mere supposition, and remains to be tested, which we shall do so soon as we can procure it for experiment. Veratria is not the active principle of the green Hellebore, as we are prepared to prove by the most ample experience. Or if it should be found on examination that it is the active principle of the green Hellebore, it is in such a state of combination as to render it toto celo different from Yeratria. The very great confusion now existing wiil never be got rid of till physicians cease to use one article for another; and when that is done the green Hellebore will gain the undivided confidence of the medical world, and success will be commensurate with its general use. Why a man should expect success and uniform results when he uses one Hellebore for another, or one Veratrum for another, we are unable to conceive. We endeavored to point out the difference between the Hellebores and the Veratrums long before we undertook to supply the numerous demands made on us to furnish the proper article, at any price—it mattered not what so that it was only furnished. We only get about one-third of what it is sold for after preparing. But so soon as the present small lot is sold we in- 15 tend to make an arrangement to deliver it in all the markets at a much less price—one that will not fail to satisfy. The great difficulty has been the confusion gotten up about the true powers of the article. Some have sold the ordinary poke root or garget. Others have sold the white Hellebore, and failures in the use of these have destroyed confidence, and kept the true and genuine remedy from coming into general use. We are persuaded that no one who has thoroughly tried the remedy would be without it for ten fold the sum. And as before stated, we shall give to the profession a remedy for peurperal convulsions, for rheumatism, and for scald head, and they may prepare them for themselves, as we shall give special directions for their prepartion, as well as state the name of every article used, and accompany our own experience, with sufficient additional testimony to induce the most skeptical to give them a fair trial; besides, we trust we shall never offer to the consideration of the pro* fession a remedy unworthy of its highest confidence, or without first thoroughly testing its powers before offering it as worthy of trial and reliance. Opinions of Drs. Ridley and Renwick. We would very respectfully call the attention of the public generally, and of the Medical Profession more particularly, to an article of the Materia Mediea which has been very recently brought into notice ; and its remedial powers more fully discovered by Dr. Wesley C. Norwood, a very intelligent and skillful Physician of Cokesbury, Abberville District, South Carolina. We have used the remedy extensively in our practice for the last three months, and consider it the most important discovery which has been made, in this branch of medicine, for the last half century. It is, in truth, the great desideratum of the Medical Profession. It is in febrile diseases, whether idiopathic or symptomatic, 16 where there is high inflammatory excitement of the circulatory system, what Quinine is in bilious, remittent and intermittent fever, a certain and reliable specific. It will control the action of the heart and arteries, however inordinate or abnormal it may be—hence it is a remedy of incalculable importance in all inflammatory fevers. In typhoid and typhus fevers, in pneumonia typhoides, in asthma, hoopingcough, in mumps, where the disease has been translated, we have used it with the happiest effects. At a time, like the present year has been, when the pestilence that walketh in darkness has exerted its heart-rending and disastrous influences in the destruction of the lives of the wise, the virtuous, and the good of the land, a remedy which exerts such unrivalled influence in arresting the maddened attacks of the fell destroyer is more than armies to the public good ; and the Physician who has employed time, talent, and fortune in the discovery of so potent a remedy, deserves the heartfelt acknowledgments of a generous public, and at the hands of the Medical Profession a monument to his memory more lasting than brass. E. A. T. KIDLEY, M. D. NATHAN RENWICK, M. D. La Ga. From the Peoples Medical Gazette, AbberviUe, S. G Our highly esteemed and talented friend, De. W. 0. Norwood, is about to make a tour through the United States, the ostensible object of which, is to locate agencies for the sale and more extensive dissemination of his invaluable discovery in the qualities and virtues of the Veratrum Viride. The Doctor's mission will be a blessing to hundreds and thousands, and we heartily wish him every success. His investigations upon the medicinal virtues of the Veratrum Viride, to our knowledge, have been from the beginning conducted with that calm and dispassionate energy and zeal that at once characterizes the medical philosopher, and the world owes him a debt of gratitude that it can never more than pay. JOHN DAVIS, M. D. Roswbll, Ga., May 1,1852. Dear &i/r, —I find in experimenting with your veratrum 17 viride, it is nil in all things yon have represented it, and is certainly the only arterial sedative on which we may at all times rely with certainty, and the most invaluable agent of this class in the whole materia medica. Very truly, WM, NEPHEW KING, M. D. Columbus, Ga. March 23, 1852, Dr. Norwood : Dear Sir —I left home for Macon, a few days after you. On my return found Dr. Boswell in full blast with the veratrum viride; visited his cases with him—have used it in a few cases myself, and in every case it was sure to reduce the pulse. I am as well pleased with it as I anticipated, and as much so as any one remedy I ever used. I have no idea that you claim for it as much credit as it is entitled to. Four out of the six ounces have been used, and we will soon need more. I design extending its use in every case where there is too much arterial action, until I have fully tested whether there be a difference in its effects in different diseases. S. A. BILLING, M. D. Flat Shoals, Ga., Feb. 10th, 1852. Dr. Norwood : Sir —I avail myself of this opportunity for communicating to you the result of my experience in the use of the preparation of veratrum viride. * * * But I assure you that the v. viride, as a curative, far exceeds any thing with which I am acquainted. I have given it in only two cases, and if it proves as successful in the future, I pronounce it a specific in the fullest acceptation of the term. Case 1st. I was called to visit Mr. A. on 5th inst. Found him laboring under a deep-seated attack of pneumonia typhodes ; he had great difficulty in breathing, intense headache, irritable stomach, skin hot and dry, pulse 165 to the minute. Commenced giving him the veratrum viride in five drop doses, until he had taken four portions; then increased it to ten drops. By the next day, at noon, his pulse was reduced to 85 per minute, skin moist and pleas- 18 ant, cerebral disturbance removed. His recovery from this time forward was rapidly attained. Case 2d. I was called to Mrs. J., whom I found laboring under palpitation of the heart; pulse 130 ; great anxiety manifested by the countenance, and, using her own language, a "sense of suffocation" experienced. Ordered the veratrum viride given in ten drop doses, every three hours. The second dose produced free emesis, and with it an entire abatement of all distressing symptoms. These two cases were treated with nothing else, save the veratrum viride, in order to test its powers in controlling the circulation. I would not take $20 for the remnant left, (one ounce,) placing the medicine out of my reach. I think, sir, you may safely stake your reputation, as a medical man, upon the virtues of your bantling. It is, indeed, the " philosopher's stone," and the " blessing of him that is ready to perish," will be bestowed upon you for the discovery. Trusting that you may live long, to see the success of your medicine placed beyond the reach of envy or malice, I am, my dear sir, your ob't serv't, J. J. C. BLACKBURN, M. D. Millidgeville, Ga., Jan. 12, 1852. Dr. Norwood : Dear Sir: * * * I feel perfect freedom in assuring you, that I do not know of any article of medicine which manifests itself as a reliable remedial agent in any kind of specific action, on particular parts of the human system, with half the certainty as your preparation of veratrum does, in controlling inordinate action of the heart, under the varied forms of febrile excitement. Calomel does not act with half the certainty, in emulging the liver—nor does aloes, in irritating the lower part of the rectum —nor does ergot of rye, in increasing parturient effort in labor, and, indeed, I might say, nor is tartrite of antimony more certain to produce eraesis, nor is castor oil, nor croton oil, nor anv other purgative, more certain to produce catharsis. How far your preparation acts, as a remedial agent, beyond its unparalled and unequalled control of the sanguiferous system, in the management of fevers of different types and at different stages —or what its modus operandi in producing such effects as are distinctly evident to any 19 observer of common sense, (physicians or otherwise,) and in seeming to produce verj>- beneficial collateral effects from its use in very dangerous cases, at critical times, I am not prepared to say. My testimony, as a medical man of some experience, may, however, be briefly stated to be decidedly favorable to the use of said article, believing as I do, that no physician can use it without regarding it as a very efficient article, and such an one as in its specific control of the action of the heart, in feverish excitement, fully meets our heretofore earnest desideratum. Digitalis succeeds in one case out of twenty perhaps—this preparation, in nineteen cases out of twenty, more certainly. So much at present, in reference to my appreciation of the use of your preparation of veratrum viride. I know that I am sincere, and do not think that I am enthusiastic beyond a reliable matter of fact. * * * JOHN F. MOKLAND, M. D. Bainbpjdge, Ga., June 5th, 1851. Dear Sir —Since receiving the veratrum viride, I regret that I have had but one favorable opportunity of giving it a trial; in that, however, it succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. The case was one of Pneumonia, complicated very decidedly with typhoid symptoms. The patient being four years old, and the pulse 130, I proceeded, after trying all other modes of treatment unavailingly for ten days, to give the tincture in common doses. The first was ejected as soon as swallowed, but was repeated instanter and was retained. The little patient now becoming tranquil, and not anticipating any very sudden change, I suffered myself to engage in common fireside conversation for some thirty minutes, when my attention was attracted to my patient by the extreme pallor of his countenance, and upon examination found his pulse reduced to about 80, the skin bathed in perspiration, and, as far as one could judge, the disease gone, and the patient sleeping sweetly. But in order to assure myself that these results were produced by the medicine and nothing else, I withheld the second dose, and the result was that the fever rose in five hours. The dose was then repeated, and the same results followed as in the first instance. The portion was again withheld, whereupon the fever rose again in eight hours- But a repetition 20 of the remedy subdued it as promptly as before, and by continuing it at intervals of six hours, there was no return of the symptoms ; thus conclusively showing that the favorable results obtained, could not be ascribed to the agency of any other article. ™ -r-r n Yours, very respectfully, E. E. RIDLEY, M. D. "Waynesboro, Buexe Co., Ga., August 4th, 1852. Dear Sir —I had intended, as a matter of great gratitude, at an early day to write you an acknowledgement of your prompt kindness in sending me a specimen of your tincture of American Hellebore, as well as to congratulate you upon your discovery of the controlling powers of that article over abnormal organic reaction. * * * I am satisfied with the display of its magical powers, as presented for my consideration. I am satisfied that a great desideratum has been accomplished. I am proud of it as an achievement of American Medicine—I am proud of it, particularly as a triumph of Southern experiment and observation, and believe that it will weave for the brow of the discoverer a chaplet of green, and with the lancet, win a partition of empire in the domain of practical medicine. • * * * I will further, and more familiarly say, that price shall be no bar to my keeping a supply in my office. I will never be without it if money can get it. Deprive me of it, and I verily believe I should " throw physic to the dogs." I still have a small portion of the specimen you sent. I intend to keep it until I am satisfied I can obtain a supply of equal purity and power. * ~ x ' * Dr. Montgomery requests me to say that he is every way satisfied with the article—that it has furnished him with a number of beautiful cases and subject matter for a communication for the Journal; but he must plead laziness in extenuation of the omission. To use his emphatic language : " Take it from me, sir, and I'd quit the practice of physic." Before you dispose of what you have on hand, root or tincture, I must get some. I must be sure it comes from your hand—I don't care what the price is. I remain, E. L'ROY ANTONY, M. D. 21 New York, Sept. 22d, 1851. At the request of Dr. Norwood, of S. Carolina, in order to test the effects of the internal administration of the veratrum viride upon the circulation, I selected four cases in my wards, and ordered the tincture of the root to be prescribed as follows: Case 1st. Adult female ; extensive fissure of the annua and rectum, spasmodic contraction of the sphincter ani, with excessive pain; pulse 130. Dose, five drops every three hours. Pulse reduced 68 in fifteen hours. Case 2d. Adult male: morbus coxarius; pulse 99, Dose, from five to eight drops every three hours. Pulse reduced in twelve hours to 50 beats. Case 3d. Adult male : articular rheumatism ; pulse 120, Dose, from five to eight drops every three hours. Pulse reduced to 30 in fifteen hours. Case 4th. Adult male ; the effects of the operation by excision for large sarcolated hydroceles of the tunica vaginalis on both sides; pulse 102. Dose, five drops every three hours. Reduction in ten hours to 60 beats. I should have much confidence in the salutary action of the veratrum viride in cases of acceleration of the pulse in traumatic lesion of any of the vital organs, in patients of a robust constitution, or with sthenic diathesis. J. M. CARNO CHAN, M. D. Surgeon of the New York Emigrant's Hospital: Prof, of Surgery in the JV. X. Med. College. Surgeon of the New York Emigrant's Hospital: Prof, of Surgery in the JSf. x. Med. College. Columbia, Nov. 17th, 1852. Dear Sir —In experimenting with the tincture handed me, (veratrum viride,) I have been very much pleased with its controlling powers over the heart and arteries. I have only given it in typhus fever, and one or two cases of pneumonia. It certainly reduces the pulse without any of those immediate prostrating and alarming symptoms which take place after the continued use of digitalis ; neither does it irritate the mucus membrane of the bowels, as the salts of antimony do, when continued by days. I have given it in several cases of typhus, in which their was dry red tongue, great thirst, delerium, frequent dejections from the bowels, with soreness and distension of the abdomen, without the least aggravation of any of those disagreeable symptoms. 22 I have not found it immediately to arrest the disease, or cut it short at once, after fully formed, but certainly to make it assume so mild a form as to require very little in the future treatment. I have, in several cases, broken up the forming stage of the disease, by keeping the heart below a natural and normal action for two or three days. In fact, I regard your tincture of every importance in the above diseases, and fully meeting the expectations of its warmest advocates. It certainly is the very article to fill the place (a thousand times better and safer) of the tart, emetic in the contrastimulant treatment of the " Italian school." * * * I remain yours, most truly, SAMUEL FAIR, M.D. Newberry Court House, Nov. 16, 1851. Dear Doctor —I have given the medicine you sent me, (veratrum viride,) to two patients laboring under typhoid fever, with the best effect. In both cases the pulse was reduced from 120 and 140 to "70 beats in the minute, by giving from three to four doses, there was no return of fever afterwards. The medicine was continued five days in one case, and seven or eight in the other. I was sent for two weeks ago to visit a patient in consultation with an eminent physician, laboring under pneumonitis. I saw her on the ninth day of her attack—her physician had used all the remedies usual in such cases —she seemed to grow worse. When I was called in, he said he had no hope of her recovery—all the symptoms were unfavorable. I proposed giving Dr. Norwood's medicine, as I called it; he smiled, and said he was afraid it was a humbug, but consented, as he considered the case hopeless. We gave her (a young lady fifteen or sixteen years five drops ; increased one drop each dose until we gave eight drops to the dose. It produced nausea of the stomach by this time; her pulse was reduced from 120 to 88 beats in the minute. Her physician remained with her during the night; he stopped giving the medicine. The next morning I saw her again and found her with a pulse of 110 beats in the minute. I asked the doctor if he had discontinued the medicine; he said he had. We commenced giving it again, in eight drop doses; by the third dose her pulse was reduced to 74 beats in the minute; said she felt much better. The doctor dicontinued the med- 23 icine again for eight or ten hours to see the effect. The pulse rose again to 108 or 110 beats in the minute. We resumed the medicine again ; about the third dose the pulse was reduced to 60. We kept it from 70 to 74 beats for several days, some six or seven. She is now convalescent. I will say to you, however, that the doctor has sent to me a second time for a small vial of the medicine, as he is giving it to some two or three cases of typhoid fever, and says he is veiy much pleased with its effects Tour friend, J. B. RUFF, M. D. Oglethorpe, Ga., Feb. 19th, 1852. My Dear Sir —Please pardon me for not giving you, earlier, the results of my experience in the use of the veratrum viride. I can truly say that I have never found any remedy that produced its specific effects so certainly in my hands —It has never failed. I have used it in scarlet fever, pneumonia, typhoid pneumonia, typhoid fever, inflammatory rheumatism, and in all cases where I wanted to lesson the frequency of the heart's action, and in no instance has it failed. In your published articles you have claimed much for it, but not more, nor as much as it really merits ; for if there is any thing in nature entitled to confidence, to such a degree as to amount to a certainty, it is most undoubtedly the article. I hope the profession will universally adopt its use, and thereby secure for the science a triumph it so justly merits, in saving thousands from an untimely grave; and for you, I am certain the prayers of thousands will arise to a throne of grace, that you may be abundantly blessed in your labors. Most respectfully yours, WILLIAM ELIS, M. D. 24 GENERAL AGENTS, New York.—Wm. T. Peek & Co. A. B. & D. Sands, New York City : McClure & Co. Albany ; A. J. Mathews, Buffalo. Alabama.—J. C. Dubose & Co., R. L. Watkins & Co., Mobile; Robert G. Cox Sk Co., 13. B. Jones & Co., Montgomery ; B. G. Conner & Co., Selma; Duryee & Erskine, Huntsville. Georgia.—D. B. Plumb & Co., Augusta; Win. Lincoln, A. A. Solomon, Savannah; A. Alexander, Atlanta; Dr. Wool Sc Bradfield, Lagrange - Dr Robert Carter, Danforth & Nagle, Columbus ; Pane & Nesbit, Macon. Sucliana. —Craighead & Browning, W. W. Fuoberts, Indianapolis. ZUnutis —J H. Reed & Co., Fuller & Co., Chicago. Kentucky.—J. B. Wilder, R. M. Robinson & Co., Suteliff & Hughes, Louisville ; G. W. Norton, Lexington. Louisiana.—Jarvis & Co., New Orleans. Mississippi.—James Blair, Columbus; G. W. Fox, Natches ; 0.0 Woodman 6c Co., Vicksburg ; C. A. Moore & Co., Jackson. Michigan.—Geo. B. Dickinson & Co., J. S. Farrand, Detroit. Missouri.—Barnard & Adams, Bacon & Hyde, Champion & Co., St. Louis. Maryland.—Canby & Hatch, E. W. Stabler & Co., Poppstein & Thompson, Smith & Atkinson, Baltimore. Ohio.—Gaylord k Co., Wm. Fiske, Palmer & Sackenden, Cleveland ; Abia Zeller, Cincinnati. Pennsylvania.—CD. Knight, Charles Ellis, Philadelphia ; Flemming & Brothers, Pittsburg. South Carolina.—Boatwright & Co., Columbia; Haviland, Harral & Co., Simons, Ruff & Co., Wiltberger, Charleston. Tennessee. —Booth & Guthrie, H. J. Fainesworth, J. Mansfield & Co., Memphis ; W. W. Berry & Co., Ewin & Brothers, Nashville. Virginia.—Purcill & Ladd, Richmond. North Carolina. —Williams and Haywood, Raleigh The strength of the tincture is in strict conformity with the directions, and the rules laid down for its administration should be strictly observed. It may be had in all the principal cities and towns in the United States. We regret that our limited acquaintance compelled us to omit in the present issue, the names of so many Druggists and Apothecaries. W. C. N. THE THERAPEUTICAL POWERS AND PROPERTIES OF VERATRUM VIRIDE, B Y WESLEY C. NORWOOD, M. F)., O F COKESBURY, S. C. Second Edition. NEW YORK: J. D. BEDFORD, & CO., PRINTERS, 115 & 117 FRANKLIN STREET. 1 856.