THE THEEAPEUTICAL POWERS ' AND PROPERTIES OF YERATRTJM YIRIDE, 
BY WESLEY C. NORWOOD, M. D., OF OOKESBUEY, 8. 0. THIRD EDITION. 
NEW YORK: J. D. BEDFORD & CO., PRINTERS, 115 & 117 FRANKLIN STREET. 




PREFACE. 
It would be vanity in us to attempt to accomplish what the best and wisest of men have failed to achieve, namely, to induce men to think correctly and to act rightly. Or in other words, to seek calmly and without prejudice the best interest of society. The medical world had long searched and sought after a remedy by which the deranged and morbid actions of the heart and arteries excited by morbific agents might be directly and certainly controled. This was the great desideratum. After closely watching and carefully testing the powers and effects of Veratrum Viride, we announced to the medical world that the great desideratum was discovered, that that plant possessed the power of controling and regulating morbid vascular action, anl to an extent and certainty that have always exceeded and surpassed the most sanguine expectations. The world is challenged to test fairly the wonderful effects of this mighty agent, and set aside if unworthy of their confidence. We have staked our all, reputation and veracity as a physician, on the powers, effects and uses of this agent or remedy, and we are perfectly willing to stand or fall, as the issue of its merits shall be. But we have no fears that it will fail to accomplish to the extent we have so earnestly claimed for it. We pronounce it unparalleled, unprecedented, and inimitable in the treatment and cure of disease. We speak thus strong because not of our own experience alone, but from the fact that some of the brightest and shining lights in the profession have 


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testified to its powers in unmeasured praise. We shall never stop to wield a controversy with those who defame without knowledge, and persecute without reason. Nearly all the most valuable discoveries in medicine hare had to struggle into existence, and either they or their discoveries for a longer or shorter time have fallen under the ban of blinded opposition and prejudice. We therefore challenge a trial from the most humble and unassuming, to the most towering aad lofty intellect in the profession. It would be worse than folly, it would be madness to suppose we could deceive and mislead the profession on a matter of such vital importance and magnitude as to the merits of the remedy. 
We shall leave the remedy we advocate, and our name in the hands of a noble, honorable, and benevolent profession, and posterity, to award such mark of approbation or censure as a fair trial of the remedy shall justly demand. 
W. C. NORWOOD, Cokesbury, S. C. 
October 9th, 1S57. 


NORWOOD i • OS THE THERAPEUTICAL POWERS OF VERATRUM YIRLDE. 
Powers and Properties of Veratrum Viride, or American Hellebore. 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, which remains long 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. It is also rubefacient, producing burning and redness when the tincture is applied to the surface, thereby often relieving pain. The above named powers are prominent of the kind, but not important like the following : —It is a 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. As a diaphoretic it is without doubt the most efficient of any yet known, acting from the mere softening and relaxation of the skin, to the most free and profuse perspiration indicated in all fibrile and inflammatory cases where the surface is hot and dry. It is adanagio, alterative or deobstruent, not only equalling but far surpassing iodine and mercury. This power or property renders it peculiarly valuable in phthisis, pulmonalis, scirrhous, cancer, and glandular affections generally. We will notice in this connection, that Professor Frost, of South Carolina, has used it with rnir'h benefit in cancer and epilepsy, and considers it a valuable remedy in many chronic diseases. His paper on veratrum 


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viride was read before and published by the Medical Society of Charleston, S. C. It is expectorant, so much so that we rely almost alone on it. 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 is a great promoter of appetite when given in small closes from three to four times in the day. But the greatest and most valuable power, and that which so emphatically distinguishes it from, and gives it such pre-eminence over, all other agents or remedies, is its power to control the action of the heart and arteries when morbidly excited. This it effects with such certainty, and to any extent that may be desired, that it never fails to strike with perfect astonishment all who have ever witnessed this wonderful effect; and they have confessed that it far exceeded any representations ever given, and their most sanguine expectations Neither is it in the power of man to describe it so as to enable any one to form a just conception of the result who has never witnessed its effects. Indeed no man can have any idea of the effect who has not witnessed the fact. Who that is alive to the bast interests of suffering humanity can fail to appreciate its usefulness ? But who with the most towering intellect can comprehend the extent of the benefits and powers of an agent or remedy capable in from six to twenty hours of reducing a pulse from 130, 140, or 160, down to from 50 to 60 and 70 beats per minute, and calming and composing all the tumultuous actions of the heart and arteries ? We have noticed quite a number of powers or effects following the use of Veratrum Viride, and we have noticed them on account of their being prominent and striking. We believe that many of the operative effects are indirect and not primary. The primary and independent powers or effects on the system when given internally, we consider to be three, perhaps four, namely: first, as a promoter of appetite and digestion in small and repeated doses; secondly, its emetic powers are not essential and necessary to the first primary power named, neither is it necessary nor required to obtain the third primary power—the control of the vascular system or heart and arteries. We can regulate the action or pulsation of heart and arteries or morbid vascular action, without exciting the least degree of nausea or inconvenience to the patient. We notice a few effects that occasionally occur when given so as to produce nausea and vomiting. In hysterical and very excitable patients it produces a strangling and suffocating sensation resembling globus hystericus. It often excites great coolness of the surface, sometimes icy coldness, and in either case more or less paleness. These last symptoms, in connection with the above, often alarm the friends, bystanders, patients, and even physicians, who are unacquainted with the occurence of such effects, and are not expecting them. Diseases in which we hare used, and for which wo can confidently 


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recommend Veratrum Viride. Wc rely on it as the remedy in Typhoid Fever, and administer it with every assurance of success. We put the patient on a free use of it at once, and press it till every symptom is controlled or arrested. Our plan is to reduce the pulse between 55 and 75 beats, and keep it at the desired point 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 fibrile and inflammatory symptoms are arrested or vanish, and the patient is kept quiet, and tranquil, and comfortable. A great many fail of success by not reducing the number of pulsations sufficiently, or by suspending the use of the remedy before the disease is fully routed out. It is out of the question, more, it is utterly impossible, for febrile and inflammatory action to exist and continue their ravages to any extent, and for any great length of time, when the pulse is kept at 60 or 65 beats, or even less. We have kept it,' for days, at from 42 to 45 and 50, with success. In typhoid fever if we should meet with a case in which the fur on the tongue was yellow, and bitterish taste in the mouth, Ave would press the remedy to vomiting. In many cases after the pulse is reduced, and the quantity of the tincture lessened, we find a tendency for the pulse to quicken a few beats in the afternoon, and the skin to be rather warm and dry, and more or less thirst. We have made it a point to increase the dose one or two drops for a few evenings, so as to anticipate and preven this effort at an exacerbation. In Pneumonitis we consider Veratrum Viride as much of a specific as we do sulphate of quinine in intemittcnt fever. When the case is severe we give the patient six or eight drops of the tincture, with the same quantity of syrup of squills, in a little water, and increase till vascular excitement is controled or free emesis takes place. The pulse will then be found reduced, febrile symptoms subdued, and pain relieved. There is a variety of pneumonitis in which there is yellow fur on the tongue, bitterish taste in the mouth, pain under scapula or clavicle, the matter expectorated yellow and tenacious, resembling melted sulphur. In this sort of cases one or two full portions of calomel should be given, say twenty grains, or your patient will convalesce very slowly, and 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 patient had been purged with ordinary portions of calomel, followed up by small portions of calomel and opium, or Dover's Powders, till badly salivated, accompanied with the above symptoms, and uninterrupted hiccough. However bad the salivation, calomel should be given in doses of twenty grains, and repeated in from four to six hours, if the first dose should fail to arrest the hiccough. Calomel is the remedy for the above cases ; the febrile symptoms should be kept subdued by Veratrum Viride, and your patient will soon be well. We have treated the above name! diseases more at length than we shall the following. As the method 


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laid down for the above will afford a key to its management in all other casas. "We have used it with unfailing success in orchitis or metastasis to the testicles in mumps, not failing in a single instance to relieve the pain and febrile symptoms in less than fifteen hours. In asthma, whooping cough, croup, measles, and scarlet fever, we have used it with the most favorable results. In scarlet fever we use it in combination with diuretics, and find it superior to all other remedies we have ever tried, obviating much if not all tendency to dropsy. 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 the 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 capilarics become emptied, and the blood flows quietly and gently through the large vessels, or mere canals of the system. The capilaries are he seat of all vitiated and morbid secretions, and the great sympathetic nerve controls the actions of the organs of involuntary motion, the secretions are governed by that great system of nerves, 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. In acute chorea, so soon as vomiting was excited we found the symptoms readily yield, and by continuing the tincture in less doses 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 and testimony. We have used it with success in a case of inveterate dysmenorrhea which had resisted all other remedies for years. The Memphis Medical Recorder reports a like success. 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 we have made. We should by no means omit to state its great value in Mania. Mammary inflammation and diseases of the heart, and convulsions in children accompanied with high febrile excitement. We should attempt the cure of yellow fever by the same method. We feel confident, that by using Veratrum Viride, or Green Hellebore, freely and persoveringly the first twenty-four hours, that this fear ml 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. Method of using our Tincture: Take of the Tincture and Simple Syrup of Sugar or Simple Syrup of Sqnills, drop for drop, or ounce for ounce, mix and shake well. For 


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an Adult Male begin with from four to six drops of this mixture, 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 or more should nausea or vomiting continue. If you wish to avoid nausea, begin with four drops and increase but one drop every portion given till excitement is controlled. In Females begin with from three to five drops, and increase from one to 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 nausea and vomiting, begin with three drops and increase but one every portion given till the end desired is reached, then reduce the quantity. For Children mix one drop of the Tincture with two drops of Simple Syrup of Sugar, or Simple Syrup of Squills, or one ounce of the Tincture with two ounces of which of the Syrups may be preferred. From one to two years old 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 from two to four drops as may be required. By beginning with a less dose and increasing gradually nausea and vomiting may be avoided. We give a portion regularly every three hours. We often give at intervals of but two hours. While on the other hand, we give it as far as four or six hours apart. We find but few cases in which we can extend the period to six hours and obtain the full effects of the remedy. 
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 to 50 beats per minute. The vomiting is often rapid and almost continuous. We have known patimts to vomit from forty to fifty times with perfect impunity, and all those symptoms, however urgent, relieved by the following mixture : Syrup of Sulphate of Morphine one part, Alcoholic Tincture of Ginger (Jamaica) two parts. Of this mixture the dose for a Male Adult is one dram, sixty drops, or a teaspoonful of ordinary size, and repeated every fifteen or twenty minutes till relieved, Morphine and Brandy, or Laudanum and Brandy. Indeed Laudunum or Morphine, in sufficient doses, is a perfect antidote for all the drastic effects of the Tincture of Veratrum Viride. 
Our own 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 (he one we wish to test carefully and alone; by this means we learn the powers of the 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 


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than useless, so that whether success or failure attend, it affords but little information to the person using 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. 
Authorities confirming the great sedative powers of Veratrum Viride over the heart and arteries. Professors Frost, of Charleston, S. C, Wooton, of Alabama, Not, of New Orleans, and Winston, of Nashville, Tennessee, &c, Drs. Atony, Wilson, O'Kcef, Barr, Summer, Wilburn. These have all published their articles in the Medical Journals of the day, and are in the hands of the profession. The State Medical Society of Indiana, in its proceedings has taken notice of the great value of our Tincture. We quote from its transactions in May, 1857, the Committee reported through Dr. Jameson. Dr. Jameson remarks: " Few articles of the Materia Medica are at present more the subject of thought and discussion among medical men, particularly in the South and West, than Veratrum Viride?'' He continues, " About six or seven years ago the attention of medical men was again called to this remedy by Dr. W. C. Norwood, of Cokesbury, S. C. Since which time few remedies have so speedily attained such pre-eminence—not so much in books and journals, as in the unwritten Materia Medica of the practical physician." The Dr. then proceeds, and in the sequel states its value in typhoid fever, pneumonia, and puerperal fever. 
We quote further, and from the address of the President of the State Medical Society of Indiana, in May, 1S57, Daniel Meeker, M. D. , in speaking that they should meet " to discuss many of the numerous topics of medical science, and the various improvements which are being constantly made in surgery, chemistry, and materia medica, and which are modifying the practice of medicine to a great degree." He then observes, "For example, we have an arterial sedative discovered in the American Hellebore, or Veratrum Viride, that has now taken the place of the lancet in almost all inflammatory diseases, and possesses a power over the circulation of the heart to that degree of certainty never before possessed by any known agent of the materia medica." We add the following from Edward Merril, M. D., now of Louisiana. He writes thus: " The case of my father, Rev. T. A. Merril, D. D., of Middlebury, Vermont, is a very interesting one, and I may send you the details sometime. His disease was ossification of the semilunar valves of the aorta. He used your V. V. with great benefit for some years, and it no doubt prolonged his life." Dr. Cr. T. Wilburn, of Society Hill, Alabama, after describing to us the first case in which he used our Tincture, states as follows: " Since this first trial I have used it in not less than three hundred cases, in all the diseases to which this section is subject, and I now make the statement and defy contradiction, that it possesses a 


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wider scope of therapeutical action—is a safe and more certain remedy than any other remedy now known to the profession. I know this is a broad assertion, but it is one based upon a considerable experience, and a fair test of the remedy. I would that I had time to give you many cases in detail, particularly in typhoid fever, epilepsy, rheumatism, asthma, whooping cough, croup, measles, and more especially in puerperal fever —that monster of terrors —but I cannot do so. Suffice it for the present, that I have used the Veratrum in all of the above maladies with signal success. I think it due to you that I should write at least thus much as a duty of gratitude, for a remedy that I honestly believe has saved many from an untimely grave. I find none opposing the Veratrum except those who have never given it a fair trial." The following is from Leman Galpin, M. D., Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, writing us in regard to our statement of its powers and cases reported : " I resolved to obtain the medicine. Just previous to my obtaining it I had had some severe cases of mammary abscess. Desirous, if possible, of abridging the suffering consequent on this form of disease, I resolved should another opportunity offer to test the curative qualities of the V. Viride Soon after the medicine was obtained occurred the following case : Oct. 15, 1853, I was called to attend on a lady in her eighth parturition, and one whom I had not accouched before. Labor natural, and terminated in three or four hours after my arrival. Being about to leave, she remarked that the worst was to come. After every confinement she has had considerable trouble with the right breast. Indeed after the one previous to this she had suffered everything but death, and added, that she would rather die than suffer so again. At the time to which reference is made she was under the Docter's care for six months, had her breast lanced six times, and in consequence of the severe and protracted mammary inflammation become typhoid, and seemed apparently on the borders of the grave. At this juncture her relations were sent for, supposing she could not recover. After awhile she began to convalesce, and regained her usual health. On leaving my patient I gave her some general directions, with the request if there were any apprehensions during the lacteal secretion of suffering as before, that I might be notified. Three days after delivery her husband called and wished me to visit his wife. On examining the breast I found it distended to its utmost capacity. All the horroi'S and distress of her previous confinement were now vividly before her mind. The babe would draw the milk freely from the other breast, but could get none from this. Neither could the milk be drawn out by any of the other appliances. Condition of the patient in addition to the swollen breast, great restlessness, tongue heavily coated, great thirst, pulse 120 beats per minute, full and strong. 
Treatment —Topical application to the mamma, cabbage leaves thoroughly wilted ; over which put a flannel wrung out of hot water, 


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and cover with a wooden bowl after it had been put in hot water. Also renew as often as they become cool. Tinct. of V. Viride 5 drops every three hours, increasing one drop at every repetition unless the stomach should become disturbed and reject the medicine. After two or three trials it was found that three drops was all she could bear. Soon after taking the first dose, and every subsequent dose, she said she " could feel the medicine clear to her fingers ends." Pulse was reduced in 8 hours to 70 beats, general perspiration, and after the expiration of 24 hours, the mamaury gland was evidently softer and smaller. Following this plan for 6 days, the breast was reduced to its natural size, and the patient discharged, and no trouble with it afterwards. No other medicine was used in this case except purgation twice with saline cathartics." " Another case showing still more clearly the effects this medicine has upon the absorbent system. In 1854, a lady, whose mother died from the effects of cancer of the breast, had for nearly a year, and soon after weaning her child detected a hard tumor near the nipple ; the identical spot where her mother's began. Fearing the worst she mentioned it to no one till the twinging pain troubled her so much that she could refrain no longer. When I saw it, it appeared to be about as large as a medium sized'hen's egg, jagged, hard, and painful to the touch. Treatment —Avoid all irritation of the part, and use three drops of Tinct. V. Viride three times daily. In less than three months the tumor entirely disappeared, and no return of it since, though she is now nursing a babe which is about one year old." " Perhaps, dear sir, I ought to state that I have tried the V. V. in pneumonia, inflammatory rheumatism, &c, with equal success. Although a stranger to you, allow me to congratulate you upon the discovery of this article, and hope that * * * as the benefits conferred upon suffering humanity." 
We shall add no more but that already offered in the circular. The above letters and testimony were sent us the present year, and show conclusively the great growth in the confidence and reputation of the remedy. 
SCALD HEAD 
Take equal parts, by weight, of best pulverized Rhubarb and iodide of Potassium Pulvis, mix well, and add two drachms to one ounce of Lard; wash the head well with fine soap and water, and annoint night and morning. We occasionally add three drachms of the ingredients to the ounce of lard. Should the scabs or scurf be hard or dry, we wash with Alcohol. By sufficient use of the above, success may be relied on as sure. 
ACUTE RHEUMATISM. 
Take six ounces fresh Colehicum Seeds, add to one pint of Alcohol, let stand two weeks. Give this Tincture four times in the day. 


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To an Adult, begin with fifteen drops at a aose, and increase the quantity two drops every portion given till you obtain the specific effects of colchicum, which may be known by the production of whitish, frothy operations which indicates the reduction of the dose if relieved, and its discontinuance if no relief is obtained. If the peculiar frothy operations are not produced in thirty-six hours, the dose may be more rapidly increased, say from three to five drops every portion given. If the above fails, the vascular action should t once be reduced by V. Viride, and the pain will soon yield. 
PUERPERAL CONVULSIONS. 
To attempt the explanation of the above disease would be vanity in us. In many cases delivery is essential to relief, and we can but modify the violence till delivery is effected by natural or artificial means. Take six ounces of the ripe and fresh sed of Stramonium, (Datura) to which add one pint of Alcohol; let stand two weeks. Of this Tincture give thirty drops every thirty minutes till the symptoms are relieved, or the system is brought under the full operative effect cf the Stramonium, which may be ascertained by watching its effects on the pupil of the eyes. If contracted, they become dilated by full doses. If dilated, they contract. We have seen no case that was not essentially relieved or fully cured by the continuance of this remedy, in efficient doses, after the birth of the child. We have known the convulsions return in from twelve to twenty-four hours by a too early suspension of the remedy. We are fully persuaded from long experience that the above are reliable and efficient remedies, and will not disappoint if given energetically, and of sufficient strength and purity. We remark in regard to the above, as well as in reference to Veratrum Viride, that we have spoken of their powers and effects, and uses individually, and as basic remedies in the diseases in which we have recommended them. Bleeding, opium, catharties, and blistering may be necessary as adjuvants. The great difficulty in regard to the use of remedies, is their want of purity and strength, and Colchicum and Veratrum Viride fail on this account more than any other agents of the materia medica. 
The putting up of our Tincture of Veratrum Viride : The first lot of Tincture we put up in plain round four ounce bottles, labelled simply Norwood's Tincture of Veratrum Viride. There was such call for directions from physicians, and complaint of want of neatness from druggists, that we put it up in the present style. The directions first given on the bottle was to commence with eight drops of the Tincture. In the last lot we reduced the dose one half or more, to give in combination with simple Syrup of Squills. We shall continue the same lable in all we put up in the future. We reduced the size of the dose out of deference to the opinion of Prof. Wood, of Philadelphia, one of the most eminent physicians and professors living. In our own practice we commence generally with 


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larger doses than those given on the bottle. It is out of the question for any man to lay down a uniform and regular dose for any important remedy. The persons using must adapt the dose to the condition and circumstances of his patient. We mention to prevent confusion, that we have a few of the round bottles in Alton, Nashville, and Helena. There are also a few of the oval bottles directing eight drops. As the tincture of ordinary poke root, and tinctures made from other species and varieties of Hellebore have been sold for our tincture, Norwood's Tincture of Veratrum Viride is blown, and appears on one side of the bottle. If physicians were generally acquainted with the powers, properties and uses of Veratrum Viride, we would be spared the necessity and trouble of having directions accompany each bottle. 
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 Medica 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, 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 they may be —hence it is a remedy of incalculable importance in all inflammatory fevers. In typhoid and typhus fevers, in pneumonia typhoides, in asthma, whooping cough, in mumps, where the disease has been translated, we have used it with the happiest effects. At a time, like the presentyear has been, when the pestilence that walketh in darkness has exerted its heartrending 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. 
R. A. T. RIDLEY, M. D NATHAN RENWICK, M. D> La Grange, Oa. 


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From the People's Medical Gazette, Abberville, S. C 
Our highly esteemed and talented friend, Dr. W. C. 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 wo 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. 
Roswell, GrA., May 1, 1852 
Dear Sir, —I find in experimenting with your Veratrum Viride, it is all in all things you 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. Roswell 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 hav* 1 no idea that you claim for it as much credit as it is entitled to Pour 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 Vera- 


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tram 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 typhoides, he had great difficulty in breathing, intense headache, irritable stomach, skin hot and dry, pulse 165 to the minute. Commenced givingjiim 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 pleasant, cerebral disturbance removed. His recovery from the 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 ton 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. J). 
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 einulging 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 emesis, nor is castor 


17 
oil, nor is croton oil, nor any other purgative, more certain to produce catharsis. 
How far your preparation acts, as a remedial agent, beyond its unparalleled and uuequaled 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 observer of common sense, (physicians or otherwise,) and in seeming to produce very 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, bo 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. MORLAND, M. D. 
Bainbridge, Gta., 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, bower, it succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. The case was one of Pneumonia, complicated very decidedy 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 of the remedy subdued it as promptly as before, and by 


18 
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. Yours, very respectfully, E. R. RIDLEY, M. D. 
Waynesboro, Burke Co., Ga., Aug. 4th, 1852. 
Dear Sir, —I had intended, as a matter of great gratitude, at an early day to write you an acknowledgment 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 pnysic 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. * * * Dr. Montgomery requests me to say that he is well satisfied with the article— that it has furnished him with a number of beautiful cases and subject matter for a commuication for the Journal; but he must plead laziness in extenuation of the omissoo. 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 from your hand—I don't care what the price is. 
I remain, E. L'ROY ANTONY, M. D. 
New York, Sept. 22d, 1851 
At the request of Dr. Norwood, of South 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 proscribed as follows : Case 1st. Adult female ; extensive fissure of the annus and rec- 


19 
turn, 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. CAKNOCHAN, M. D. 
Surgeon of the New York Emigrants Hospital. Prof, of Surgery in the N. Y. 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 there was dry red tongue, great thirst, delirium, frequent dejections from the bowels, with soreness and distension of the abdomen, without the least aggravation of any of those disagreeable symptoms. 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 contra-stimulant treatment of the " Italian school." * * * 
I remain yours, most truly, 
SAMUEL PAIR, M. D. 


20 
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 e'ght 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 old,) 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 discontinued the medicine 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 very much pleased with its effects. 
Your friend, J. B. BUFF, 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 


21 
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 anything 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. 


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GENERAL AGENTS. 
JVew York.—Win. T. Peek & Co., A. B. & D. Sands, New York City ; McClure & Co., Albany ; A. J. Matthews, Buffalo. 
Alabama.—J. C. Dubose & Co., R. L. Watkins & Co., W. D. Prout, Haviland, Clarke & George, Mobile; Robert G. Cox & Co , B. B. Jones h Co., Montgomery ; Mar low & Co., Selma / Duryeo & Erskine, Huntsville. 
Georgia.—D. B. Plumb & Co., Augusta ; Wrn. Lincoln, A. A. Solomon, Savannah; A. Alexander, Atlanta; Dr. Noel & Bradfield, La Grange; Dr. Robert Carter, Danfortk & Nagle, Columbus; Pane & Nesbit, Macon. 
Indiana.—Craighead & Browning, W. W. Roberts. Indianapolis. 
lllilloi§.—J. H. Reed & Co., Penton & Robinson, Bockee &; Innis, Chicago. 
Kentucky.—J. B. Wilder, R. M. Robinson & Co., Sutcliff & Hughes* Louisville; G.W.Norton, Lexington. 
liOllisiaiia. —P. 0. Woodman, New Orleans 
Mississippi.—James Blair, Columbus; G. W. Fox, Natchez; 0. 0- Woodman & Co., Vicksburg. 
Missouri. —Barnard & Adams, Bacon & Hyde, Champion & Co., Richardson, Mellier & Co., H. Blaksley, St. Louis. 
Maryland.—Canby & Hatch, Baltimore. 
Ohio*—Gavlord & Co., Wm. Fiske, Cleveland ; AbiaZeller, Dr. Chapman, George M. Dixon, F. D. Hill, W. S. Morrell & Co., W. J. M. Gordon, Cincinnati. 
Pennsylvania.—C. D. Knight, Charles Ellis, Philadelphia ; Flemming & Brothers, Pittsburg. 
South Carolina.—Templeton & Smith, Columbia; Haviland, Harral & Co., Simons, RulF & Co., Wiltberger, Duncan & Paxton, Charleston. 
Tennessee. —W. W. Berry & Co., Ewin & Brothers, Nashville. 
Virginia.—Purcell & Ladd, Richmond. 
North Carolina.—Williams & Haywood, Raleigh. 
The strength of the tincture is in strict conformity with the directions, and the rules laid down for its administration should bo strictly observed. It may bo had in all the principal cities and towns in the United States. We regret that our limited acquaintance compelled ns to omit in the present issue, the names of so many Druggists and Apothecaries. W. C. N. 


A THE THERAPEUTICAL POWERS AND PROPERTIES OF yFratrum YIRIDE, 
BY WESLEY C. NORWOOD, M. D., OF COKESBURY, S. C. THIRD EDITION. 
NEW YORK: J. D. BEDFORD & CO., PRINTERS, 115 & 117 FRANKLIN STREET.