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and the Elatenum will of course be proportionally weak.* There is onecurious result obtained in my experiments which deserves notice, viz,that there is a bitter principle in the Elaterium, very distinct from its ex-tractive matter, and totally unconnected with its activity, for I diluted thesolution obtained in experiment G. and swallowed it, but it produced uponme no effect, except, that which I generally experience upon taking apowerful bitter,—an increased appetite ; and yet notwithstanding thisfact, when in combination with Elatin, it is far from being inert, sincethis latter body is considerably quickened by its presence. See page157. The solution B was given to a person, but no effect whatever en-sued. Dose of good Elaterium, as it occurs in commerce, is about onegrain, or it is better to give it only to th<? extent of half a grain at atime, and to repeat 'hat dose every hour until it begins to operate. It isprobably, when thus managed, the best hydragogue cathartic which wepossess ; it differs however from the class of remedies to which it be-longs, for it excites the pulse and whole animal system, so as to producea considerable degree of febrile action. It was strongly recommendedby Sydenham, Lister, and Hoffman, and all their cotemporaries and im-mediate successors, as a valuable remedy in dropsy ; but in consequenceof some fatal results from its improper application, it was driven frompractice with a violence that marks prejudice rather than conviction ;one author in descanting upon its virulence, exclaims, " Elaterium esse incatalogo diaboli quo necat homines." For its restoration to medicine, weare indebted to Dr. Ferriar of Manchester, who used it with great suc-cess in the cure of Hydrothorax.

Extractuji (Succus Spissatus E.D.) Hvoscvami. L. This prepara-tion is certainly powerfully narcotic, and tends to relax rather than as-tringe the bowels ; where the constitution is rebellious to opium, it fur-nishes a more valuable resource to the practitioner, than any other nar-cotic extract. Dose, gr. v to 9j, in pills. See Form. 1, 3, 4, 19. 139.

ExTRACTUM LaCTUCK L. SvJCCUS SfISSATUS LaITUCS. SaTIVI. E.

This preparation has found its way into the London Pharmacopoeia, inconsequence of the testimony of many highly respectable practitioners infavour of its sedative properties. In the memoirs of the CaledonianHorticultural Society, various suggestions are offered as to the best modeof obtaining an extract from the milky juice of the garden Lettuce, towhich Dr. Duncan has bestowed the name of " L

actucarium

it was

first recommended to take the milk with cotton, afterwards with a sponge,and more recently with a painter's brush ; all these methods howeverare attended with considerable difficulty, and the juice cannot be collect-ed in any quantity. Mr. Probart, a chemist in Great Portland Street, haslately cultivated large plantations of the lettuce, for the purpose of insti-

* When it has a dark green colour, approaching to black, is compact, and very hea-vy, and breaks with a shining resinous fracture, we may reject it as an inferior article.

Since the publication of my experiments upon the ordinary Elaterium of Commerce,I have been favoured by Mr. Barry with the results of his trials upon the Elateriummade by W. Allen & Co. acco-ding to the improved process of Dr. C'lutterbuck ; ofthe first sample, he found that out of ten grains, 5'5 were soluble in spirit of the spe-cific gravity 809, of the second 6-2, and of the third 64 ; of that prepared by thesame process at Apothecaries' Hall, 6 grs. were soluble. The residue, insoluble inthe spirit, was administered to a patient, and ascertained to be perfectly inert. Thisreport confirms beyond a doubt the great superiority of the Elaterium when prepar.ed, without pressure, ac »-•---• -