The tincture of nux-vomica is one of the numerous remedies proposed for the vomiting of pregnancy. It is best adapted, according to the author's observation, to those women who have a seasick feeling and who do not vomit much. Half a drop to a drop, in cherry-laurel water, or in simple water, every hour or two, is a suitable dose. Like all other remedies, nux-vomica often fails in this malady. Owing partly to its intense bitterness, and partly to its influence on the nervous system, the tincture of nux-vomica is an excellent stomachic tonic, adapted more especially to the treatment of those cases in which there is a neurotic element, as, for example, atonic dyspepsia and gastralgia. From five to ten drops three times a day be fore meals is a suitable dose in these cases. In chronic gastric catarrh, whether occurring as an independent affection, or as an accompaniment of other maladies, the tincture of nux-vomica is one of the most effective bitters. In the gastric catarrh and morning vomiting of drunkards, this remedy is next in value to arsenic. It may be given, advantageously, with mineral acids. The poor appetite, the feeble digestion, and the nervousness and trembling, which follow the sudden withdrawal of alcoholic stimulants, may be removed by frequent small doses of the tincture. To diminish the craving for stimulants when they are withdrawn, and to sustain the nervous system, the following combination is exceedingly effective: Rx Tinct. capsici, 3 vj; tinct. nucis vom., 3 ij. M. Sig.: Twenty drops in water every four hours. Intestinal indigestion and flatulence are also removed by tincture of nux-vomica.

In atonic diarrhoea, nux-vomica is a serviceable addition to other remedies, when a paretic condition of the muscular layer of the bowel may be presumed to exist. It is, however, more especially in constipation that nux-vomica is useful. It is indicated in those cases in which there are inaction of the muscular layer and, consequently, great fecal accumulations. It may be most advantageously given with purgatives in such cases: Rx Tinct. aloes et myrrhae, 3 vj; tinct nucis vomicae, 3 ij. M. Sig.: Fifteen to thirty drops two or three times a day.

Nux-vomica has been signally useful in some forms of epidemic dysentery. It is indicated when there is depression of the vital forces, the intestines distended with gas, the stools like prune-juice. In some epidemics of cholera, strychnine, combined with mineral acids and opium, has appeared to be effective when the patient was about to pass into the state of collapse; and it has also been used as a prophylactic during the preliminary diarrhoea: Rx Strychninae sulphat., gr.1/4; acid. sulphuric. dil., oz ss; morphinae sulphat., gr. ij; aquae camphorae, oz iijss. M. Sig.: A tea-spoonful every hour or two, well diluted. This combination is also effective in summer diarrhoea, when the evacuations are very watery, and in colliquative diarrhoea. When there is much pain, the quantity of morphine may be increased, or the first dose may be doubled. When the character of the case is such as to require continued use of the prescription, of course, the quantum of strychnine must be lessened.

Nux-vomica and its alkaloid strychnine are much used in combination with restorative remedies, in cases of impoverished blood—in anaemia, chlorosis, haemorrhagic diathesis, purpura, etc. In anaemia and chlorosis strychnine is used with reference to its power to stimulate the blood-making organs, which functionate under some special influence proceeding from the nervous system. Rx Ferri sulph. exsic, Эij; quininae sulph., Эj; strychninae sulph., gr. ss. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One pill three times a day. No prescription is more generally useful in these states than the sirup or elixir of iron, quinine, and strychnine, a formula originally proposed by Aitken.

In the treatment of amenorrhoea, the preparations of nux-vomica and strychnine frequently enter into the composition of prescriptions. In post-partum haemorrhage, Fordyce Barker prescribes the tincture of nux-vomica (twenty drops), and fluid extract of ergot (thirty drops), "every half-hour until well assured that the uterus is well contracted." It is obvious that not more "than two or three doses" of such strength will be safe. The neuralgic form of dysmenorrhoea may be permanently removed by nux-vomica given during the interval.

When impotence is due to mere relaxation and atony of the erectile apparatus, and is not dependent on organic defects, the preparations of nux-vomica are indicated and are useful. Incontinence of urine, when due to a paralytic state of the sphincter, may sometimes be cured by strychnine. Nocturnal incontinence, which is most successfully treated by belladonna, ergot, and iodide of iron, is sometimes not relieved by these agents, when strychnine may be tried. The author can not state with precision the cases in which it succeeds, but it has appeared to him most successful in those cases dependent on simple atony of the bladder, associated with general laxity of fiber.

The most important uses of nux-vomica and its alkaloid are in the treatment of nervous affections, chiefly in paralysis. It may be used with advantage in hemiplegia, when sufficient time has elapsed to permit repair of the damage done by the extravasation. It is improper to use strychnine during the period of "early rigidity," and it is without avail in cases of "late rigidity" of the paralyzed members. It is most useful when the paralyzed members are completely relaxed. It is useless when the paralysis has existed so long that the muscles have undergone fatty degeneration, so that they no longer respond to a faradic or slowly-interrupted galvanic current. Even if the necessary conditions as respects the state of the muscles are present, strychnine is inadmissible in cases of paralysis of cerebral origin when there are vertigo, headache, and tinnitus.