In neuralgic affections, though uncertain, it often operates very happily, and sometimes puts an immediate end to very severe attacks, and such as had long resisted other remedies. Good might be expected from it in the shifting pains of nervous gout and rheumatism, and in cases of chronic rheumatism it sometimes affords great relief. it acts, probably, in these cases, as in relieving restlessness and insomnia, not by a direct anodyne impression such as that from opium, but by soothing or moderating the nervous excitation which may have given rise to the pain.

Dr. Debout cured with it a case of neuralgia of the neck of the bladder in a month. (Ed. Med. Journ., Feb. 1865, p. 745.) in nervous headache it is often useful.

In palpitations of the heart, when not dependent on structural disease, it often acts happily, reducing not only the pulse, but the respiration at the same time, and thus quieting nervous respiratory disorder; and, though the paroxysms of angina pectoris would probably be beyond its reach, it might be used, with the hope of benefit, as an adjuvant of other remedies.

Mental disorder is often attended with phenomena which yield happily to bromide of potassium. in the restlessness and wakefulness of that affection, it is obviously indicated. Dr. Vigoroux obtained relief from it in a case of melancholy approaching insanity. (Arch. Gén., loc. cit.) Dr. Browne found it beneficial in various nervous disorders from moral causes, as spasms, tremors, maniacal violence, hypochondriacal melancholia, etc. (Ed. Med. Journ., loc. cit.) Dr. Bartholow, of Cincinnati, deems it an efficacious remedy in delirium tremens, having given it in 6 cases with the uniform effect of causing a sleep of from 3 to 8 hours each night of its use, and of ultimate recovery. (Med. and Surg. Reporter, Jan. 6, 1866, p. 11.) Dr. James Begbie deems it especially useful in the nervous disorder from an overworked brain, as mental dejection, perversion of the senses, etc.; obtained perfect quiet by means of 80 grains every 2 hours, in two cases of maniacal excitement; procured sleep in one case of delirium tremens; considers it specially applicable to the nervous disorder consequent on self-pollution; and states that in nymphomania it has been given with marked success, and in puerperal mania with satisfactory results. (Ed. Med. Journ., loc. cit.)

Two special modes of action have been ascribed to bromide of potassium, which have served as the basis of special therapeutic applications; one a peculiar depressing action on the fauces and neighbouring parts; the other a similar influence on the genital or urino-genital apparatus. in reference to the former, it has been used by M. Gubler in painful dysphagia dependent on the various kinds of angina, in disorder of the oesophagus, and in paroxysmal and spasmodic coughs of all kinds, whether idiopathic or symptomatic. (Ann. de Thérap., 1865, p. 281.) it is, however, extremely doubtful whether the effects of the bromide in such cases are dependent on any peculiar tendency to act on the fauces, which probably simply share with other parts of the system the depressing action of the medicine. But in regard to the latter peculiarity, the testimony of practitioners is so strong that it is difficult to resist the impression, that the bromide of potassium does really possess a peculiar ant-aphrodisiac power. Dr. Brown-Sequard, Dr. J. Crichton Browne, Dr. Gubler, Prof. Bartholow, and others have given their united testimony to this effect; but it is still not impossible that the effects observed may have been merely the result of the general sedative power.

Spermatorrhoea, morbid erections, dysmenorrhoea, nymphomania, nocturnal incontinence of urine, irritability of the bladder, and spasm of the urinary passages, are among the complaints in which bromide of potassium has exercised a favourable influence, through its supposed sedative powers over the urino-genital apparatus. Dr. John H. Packard, of this city, informs me that he has derived great advantage from this remedy in the morning sickness of pregnancy. it probably acts by diminishing the sensitiveness of the nervous centres, through which the uterus, in its new condition, exercises an irritative influence on the stomach.

In various other complaints writers have reported favourable effects from this remedy. Among them are diphtheria, acute rheumatism, camp dysentery, photophobia, spasmodic asthma, rattlesnake poisoning, and diabetes; the bromide being recommended in the last complaint by its sedative action on the medulla oblongata, the excitement of which is supposed to be one at least of the causes capable of producing that disease.

I have been more diffuse in the description of the bromide of potassium, in its various relations, because, as it is a new medicine, of powers not yet positively determined, it is necessary to present to the reader as much as possible of the testimony offered in relation to it, in order that he may have the best opportunity of forming a judgment of its true character.

The dose is from 10 to 30 grains, to be repeated twice or three times in the twenty-four hours, and given dissolved in from half an ounce to two ounces of pure water. if deemed advisable, the dose may be increased to two or three drachms in the course of the day, without serious inconvenience; but, should any unpleasant symptom ensue, it must be diminished or suspended.