In these cases, Dr. Turnbull § advises 1/8 of a grain of Tartar Emetic, combined with 3j. - 3ij. of Epsom Salts, to be taken every morning. It is particularly adapted to that form of Plethora denominated "Sthenic." Dr. Turnbull states that a perseverance in this treatment will be found generally efficacious in reducing the fulness of the system and the frequency of the pulse; an occasional mercurial may be taken at night. In Epilepsy, and other diseases depending upon Plethora, Dr. Cheyne || also speaks highly of Antimonial Salts, particularly of James's Powder. He advises it to be commenced in small doses, and gradually increased until a sensible effect be produced upon the stomach, bowels, or skin. He speaks highly of its efficacy. Dr. Bell,¶ regarding the proximate cause of Epilepsy to be congestion of some portion of the nervous centres, advocates the use of Tartar Emetic. He relates some cases successfully treated by it in doses of gr. 1/4 - 1/8 every four hours; but as other remedies were simultaneously employed, the force of his statements is weakened. He regards its use as not confined to sthenic cases only, but extends them to those characterised by asthenia. The value of this agent in Epilepsy has been confirmed by MM. Bouley, Gillette, and Bonfils.**

* Synopsis of Diseases of the Eye, p. 299, et seq.

Med. Chir. Rev. No. lxxx.

Med. Times, vol. xix. p. 55, 1848.

§ Lectures on Plethora, Lancet, Feb. 21, 1846.

|| Dublin Hosp. Rep. vol i p. 315.

¶ Glasgow Med Journ. October 1857

** See Ranking'8 Abstract, 1858, vol. xxviii, p. 88.

269. Albuminuria

Dr. Barlow* recommends the administration of Tartar Emetic in the acute forms of this disease. He insiders that it is a remedy suggested by the nature of the affection, and calculated to fulfil the most obvious and important indications; namely, equalizing the circulation, subduing the inflammatory action, and restoring the functions of the skin. It is not to be used to the exclusion of other remedies, as moderate blood-letting, hydragogue cathartics, the warm bath, and the application of large linseed-meal poultices to the loins. Dr. Harlow relates several cases in which the Antimonial treatment was attended with decided benefit.

270. Cholera

Tartar Emetic has been highly spoken of by Dr. Billing and others in the treatment of Cholera; but the small number of recorded cases in which it has been employed is hardly sufficient to warrant an unqualified opinion as to its value. On reference to the table showing the relative mortality under various forms of treatment (Art. Calomelas), it will be observed that the mortality under the use of Tartar Emetic was only 19 per cent., whilst under Calomel it was 36, and under stimulants 58 per cent. In the Droitwich Lunatic Asylum, 21 cases were treated with an emetic (Ant. Tart. gr. iij.) at the commencement, followed up by 1 grain of Opium every hour. The number (who died were only 4, or 19 per cent.; 26 other cases were treated with Calomel, Opium, and stimulants, omitting the emetic, of whom 17 died, or 66 per cent. Mr. Littleton, of Saltash, was in the habit of dividing 3ss. of Tartar Emetic into 5-grain doses, and of giving one every twelve minutes until the vomiting ceased. He then administered gr. xl - 1. of Calomel. He highly applauds the Tartar Emetic treatment; and many other writers have spoken of it in favourable terms. (Mr. Boss. )