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portant functions, will receive with favour the conside tionswhich we have ventured to submit.

T. A. BARKER, M. D.J. R. BENNETT, M.D.R. H. GOOLDEN, M. D.T. B. PEACOCK, M.D.J. S. BRISTOWE, M.D.W. BRINTON, M.D.J. F. SOUTH.G. MACKMURDO.S. SOLLY.F. LE GROS CLARK.J. SIMON.

A. J. BERNAYS, Ph. D.E. CLAPTON, M.D.S. JONES, M.B.H. GERVIS, M.D.G. RAINEY.W. M. ORD, M.B.W. H. STONE, M.B.E. MONTGOMERY, M.D.J. CROFT.

DESCRIPTIONSOF

NEW REMEDIESINTRODUCED INTO THE PRACTICE OF

MEDICINE,

WITH THEIR THERAPEUTICAL EFFECTS.

No. V.

PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.

THE employment of this plant, or rather of a preparation fromits root (rhizome), under the name of Podophyllin, has spreadso rapidly in this country within the last few months, that wethink a somewhat full account of it will be as acceptable tothe profession as any article we could select. It is, indeed,more difficult to account for its long neglect than for the pre-sent favour into which it has arisen, because that neglectimplies very vague observation and hasty and loose assertionsby persons whose general accuracy and scientific candour can-not be impugned. Writing upwards of forty years ago, Dr.Jacob Bigelow’stated that the root of Podophyllum peltatum is"a sure and active cathartic, answering the purposes of jalap,aloes, and rhubarb, but more safe and mild in its operation in Idoses of twenty grains, given in the state of a fine powder."In irritable stomachs it sometimes occasions nausea and vomit-

ing, like other cathartics. A narcotic property has beenascribed to it, but Dr. Bigelow never observed this. An ex-

tract prepared by the Shakers in Lebanon, New York, cameinto common use by the profession as a mild cathartic beforeDr. Bigelow wrote. It must be admitted that the use of this

plant in medicine emerged from the practice of the herbalists,or botanic practitioners, as they called themselves; and thatits peculiar properties have been made out by the physiciansstyling themselves " Eclectics;" but they have no prescriptiveright to the use of any plant which has remedial virtues. Dr.

Wood, in summing up the evidence of the more regular prac-titioners, finds oniythat it resembles jalap, being rather slowerin its action and more drastic. He adds, " It is applicable tomost inflammatory affections which require brisk purging;"and as to any special effects, "In minute doses frequently re-peated, podophyllum is said to diminish the frequency of thepulse and to relieve cough, and for these effects is sometimes

given in hæmoptysis, catarrh, and other pulmonary affections."But when he alleges " it is employed, combined with calomel,in bilious fevers and hepatic congestions," he seems to bespeaking, like so many system compilers, rather speculativelythan practically. If any confidence can be placed in thoseprofessing to be practical observers, its combination withcalomel must be worse than useless.Our lists of materia medica are so rich in alvine evactiaints

that, were it nothing more, the podophyllum miht well bedisregarded. But it is now known to have very different andextremely desirable properties in the treatment of diseases, asWe shall proceed to explain.

First, however, we may notice that the Podophyllum pelta.

turn, May-apple, or mandrake (which latter uame it shares incommon with other quite different plants)-belongs to the na-tural order Ranunculoceæ. It is found in great abundance inall the northern states of America, from New England toGeorgia, propagating itself rapidly by its roots, so that it pre-sents two favourable conditions—cheapness and unmistakable-ness. Its fruit is subacid and agreeable to some persons, and iseaten with impunity under the name of 2eild leoaons. Theleaves are said to be poisonous and narcotic, but do not appearto have been investigated.The remedial and physiological properties of this root are

thus described by Dr. King, of Cincinnati :-" When fresh it isan irritant poison, producing hypercatharsis. hyperemesis, grip-ings, and other unpleasant symptoms. The violence of itsaction is much moaitieci by drying and long keeping. It is stilla violent cathartic and emetic in doses of thirty to sixty grains.In moderate doses it is cathartic similar to jalap, but actingmore slowly. As a deobstruent, it is one of the most valuablein the materia medica, acting upon all the tissues of the body.Small doses, repeated at short intervals, to fall short of ca-tharsis, will, in many persons, produce ptyalism. Its catharticaction often requires twenty-four hours, and is accompaniedbv much griping.’In chronic hepatitis there is not its snperior in the whole

range of medicines, being vastly more useful than mercurials,rousing the liver to healthy action, and maintaining an in-creasect flow of bile longer than any other a!:;ent. In altera-tive doses it has been found valuable in scrofula, syphilis, rheu-matism, and other chronic diseases. In constipation it actswithout inducing subsequent costiveness. It has also been founduseful in amenorrhœa, dysmenorrhcea, worms, and affections ofthe bladder. The dose of the root in powder, as a cathartic, isten to twenty grains, of the tincture ten to sixty drops. As a

sialagogue or alterative, three to ten grains of the powder,and five to twenty drops of the tincture."The interest of these facts lies in their being a correct repre-

sentation of the properties of a vegetable in its crude statewhich yields a preparation of so much greater value and im-portance, as we shall proceed to explain, than we have in podo-phyllum. We may, however, remark, that an acrid principle,not, so far as we know, yet isolated, is contained in the root,and attaches to the infusion and the tincture, which producessuch extremely unpleasant sensations in the fauces and throatas to be compared to the burning and smarting which followthe swallowing of sulphate of zinc, and often induces nauseaand vomiting, with great and distressing depression. Fromthese circumstances we doubt whether, with all its virtues, thePodophyllum peltatum would have found a place in our materiamedica had not the preparation we are about to describe beendevised-namely,

PODOPHYLLIX.

This substance, which, according to the testimony we shalladduce, must be a most curious and valuable remedial agent, isone of the concentrated preparations described generally in a,

former paper. Unfortunately the name has been given to twoessentially different things, which it is necessary carefully todistinguish.

1st. The term Podophyllin has been applied to the resin ex-tracted from the root, and purified by the separation of all theother principles.2nd. To a mixture or compound of these prepared by the

following process :-The root, coarsely powdered, is treated withalcohol by percolation until exhausted. The saturated tinctureis placed in a still, and the alcohol distilled off until the solu-tion is left of a dark colour and the consistence of treacle ; thiswhile hot is poured slowly into three times its volume of coldwater, and stirred briskly during the process. It is then allowedto stand twenty-four hours. Some muriatic acid is added to

, the supernatant fluid, which completes the precipitation. The

precipitate is then placed on a linen tilter, and washed, re-peatedly with cold water ; then between folds of bibulous paper,

! and dried at a temperature between 65° and 90° Fahr. It is of’

a greenish-white colour. If a higher temperature is used fordrying, it becomes of a darker colour. This is the podophyllinof commerce. That sold by some makers has an olive-greentint. which is said to result from the use of a solution of alum,to effect the precipitation, instead of water only.

! It is probable that in a few instances the pure resin has beenemployed, and the results have not been satisfactory.The podophyllin of commerce is not wholly soluble in alcohol

> nor in ether, but both these solvents dissolve parts of it. It isinsoluble in water, dilute acids or dilute alkalies, but it forms a

saponaceous compound with pure alkalies.

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Some pharmaceutists consitler that it is solly ly composed oftwo resins; whilst others maintain that besides the resin whichforms the greater part of its bulk it contains four other distinctresinoids, an alkaloid, and a neutral substance. The pure resin(the podophyllin of Mr. John Lewis) is said, when given pure,to produce sickness, hypercatharsis. and great griping; whileto the other principles it owes its chulagogue, eliminatIve, andalterative properties; and it is alleged that the latter greatlyand beneticially modify the action of the pure resin, and thatthe full therapeutical advantages are only to be obtained by theuse of the compound. If podophyllin is prepared in thts couu-try, it is necessary to be extremely careful to obtain the rootproperly and recently dried. The fresh root, being too acrid,probably loses some volatile and offensive matter by drying ;whilst if kept too long, it undergoes such chauges as not toyield all its active principles to alcohol.

Podophyllin has been very extensively employed in America.since the year 1847. Dr. John King, of Cincinnati, however,claims to have been acquainted with tt, and to have used it inhis practice, as early as 1835. He gives the credit of the re-

cognition of the properties of the Podophyllum peltatum, andmany other American indigenou3 plants, to Dr. Tully, formerlyprofessor in Yale College, Connecticut. The practitioners call-ing themselves "Eclectics" have written on the subject so ex-tensively, and attributed to it such remarkable and valuable

therapeutic properties, that their testimony might seem to beoverstated and almost fabulous, did we not find sober mindedand scientific physicians equally enthusiastic on the subject.The sum of the expressed opinion of both parties is, that itexercises an influence ou the human constitution, and is reme-dial in as wide a range of diseases as mercury, without havingany injurious effects whatever. The primary actions they at.tribute to it are-emetic, cathartic, cholagogue, generally eli-minative and therefore diuretic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue,sialagogue, &c. Hence it is powerfully alterative, capable oftenof arresting fevers by a single dose; of removing congestions ofthe brain, lungs, liver, or spleen; of reduciug glandular en-largements ; of affording great relief in inflammations of almostevery organ ; of curing rheumatism, jaundice, croup, habitualconstipation, amenorrhœa, and, in minute and long-continueddoses, many skin diseases, and even syphilis and scrofula. Itis regarded as almost a specific in all disorders of the liver; asindispensable in all fevers-intermittent, remittent, and con-tinued, but particularly puerperal; as valuable in pneumonia,bronchitis, and phthisis. Not only, s-Ly they, is il capable ofeffecting everything that is expected by the agency of mercurialpreparations, but it is beneficial far beyond them, and in dis-eases for which they are inapplicable. Apologizing for thusextolling a reme y so recently discovered, beyond one whichhas been in the hands of the profession for ages, and the repu-tation of which is established beyond controversy, they never-theless maintain that their eulogiums are based upon sufficientand careful observation. Were we to quote the authorities forall this to be found in the medical literature of America, weshould be compelled to extend thia notice far beyond the limitsallowable in the pages of a periodical; and we therefore deemit better, and we trust it will be regarded by our readers asmore satisfactory, to produce the experience of practitioners onthis side the Atlantic, who have for a long time employedpodophyllin, confining our quotations to one or two notes rela-tive to the manner of its administration. First observing that acorrespondent of an American journal states that he has treated’with complete success one hundred and twenty cases of syphiliswith this medicine alone. The general statement of its beingcurative of this disease is made by many authors ; and althoughwe have no precise evidence on the point except the above, wehave reason to believe that podophyllin has found its way intothe hands of several irregular practitioners in this country,who use it as a substitute for mercury. We would therefore coin-mend it to the attention of gentlemen who have opportunitiesto verify or refute the allegation. 1. It is said that the puri-fled resin of podophyllum, improperly called podophyllin, isescharotic, producing, when applied to the skin, small pustuleswhich are difficult to heal, and internally giving rise to extremegriping and violent catharsis. 2. That chloride of sodium givenwith podophyllin increases its purgative action to an undesirableextent, and should therefore be avoided, except in cold phleg-matic habits where the action of the drug is feeble. 3. Thatlactic acid counteracts its operation ; and that sngar, sweet-tn ats, pickles, and like substances, should be avoided when itis administered. On the other hand, many writers recommendit to be well triturated with four or five times its weight of finesugar. 4. That its use should be avoided in inflammatorystates of the stomach or bowels, particularly of the mucous

lining of the primæ vise. 5. That a warn) infusion of ginger isthe best means of relieving tormina and griping when causedby its use. 6. That for an overdose, sour milk, whey, or anyform of lactic acid, are the best remedies. Lastly: That as apurgative, bitartrate of potass, twenty to thirty grains, is thebest adjuvant; while when given as a chnlngogue or alterative,it is well to combine ir, with minute doses of extract of bella.donna, hyoscyamus, or cannabis indica.The doses of podophyllin are from one to three grains as a

cholagogue aud Cit Ir.rtic ; half to one grain as a moderatepurgative ; one-fourth to half a grain as an aperient ; a sixthto a quarter of a grain, three times a day, as an alterative.

(To be continued.)

Correspondence.

THE INFLUENCEOF

RAILWAY TRAVELLINGON

PUBLIC HEALTH.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF AN HABITUALTRAVELLER.

"Audi altpram partem."

To t7te Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I am desirous of adding a few observations on theimpor.tant subject of the Influence of Railway Trav, Iling on Health,to which you have recently so emphatically directed attention.I feel privileged to do so, because the first time the subjectwas treated before a professional audience in this country wason the occasion of my reading a paper before the BrightonMedico-Chirurgical Society, in the autumn of 1860, "On theEffectsof Railway Travelling on the Nervous System." I thenintended to pursue these investigation?, but was prevented byother occupations, and am now glad to perceive how thoroughlyand impartially the subject has been considered in your columns.My own observations are founded on a series of very carefulinquiries, and a long individual experience of travelling ondifferent lines. I need hardly say that very many remarks Ihad jotted down, and which were then original, have now beenembodied in your exhaustive examination of the subject. Thefollowing comments (which have doubtless occurred to manyother travellers) I now forward, as some of them have hithertoreceived but very brief notice, yet appear to me of muchimportance when considering the question of comfort in travel-ling, fur continued discomfort avowedly influences health in.juriously.

The different effects produced on individual travellers varymore, I believe, according to their nervous disposition and theirintellectual culture, than according to their physical strengthand daily occupation. Then, however interesting may be sta-tistical information as to the health of railway and post officeemployés, public interest must necessarily centre most on theinfluence produced on those who are of the public-that is,travellers of different grades and various dispositions. Thusthe stout, easy going, lethargic traveller, I notice, bears con-tinuous locomotion far better than the spare, nervous, irritableman. The following case illustrates this remark. It was com-municated to me whilst making my original observations.The subject was a gentleman of high position in the City,

thin and impressionable, and about the middle age. The firsteffect he noticed from rail way travelling was a shaking of hishand when taking lunch-a symprom only observed after arailway journey. During the transit he suffered from headacheof a dull, heavy kind, and felt dizzy and unable to collect histhoughts, being "all at sea" for some time, aud unequal todecide on matters of business. His muddled state he describedas peculiar, and stated that none of these symptoms arise whenhe sleeps in town and goes quietly to business. Neither sleep-lessness nor convulsive twitchings ever troubled him. Is a

very moderate drinker. As a consequence of the above feelings,he gave up his daily travelling to Brighton. To use his own