Like the substances from which it is obtained, Veratria appears to be locally irritant, and, in its general influence, sedative to the organic nervous centres and to the circulation; possessing at the same time emeto-cathartic powers, and the property of stimulating most of the secretions when absorbed.

Rubbed upon the skin, in ointment or solution, it produces a sensation of warmth and tingling, which, according to Dr. Klingner,* is attended with slight shocks like those caused by electricity. if the friction is continued, Dr. Turnbull states that the feeling of heat and tingling is diffused over the whole surface of the body. Sometimes this effect upon the nervous tissue of the part is attended with a transitory redness, and a cutaneous eruption. Dr J. L. Yan Praag+ found the tingling sensation extremely painful when the Veratria was applied to the umbilicus, where the skin is more delicate. He speaks also of a sensation of cold following the prickling. Applied to the denuded cutis, the alkaloid is powerfully irritant.

Snuffed up the nostrils, even in small quantity and much diluted, it occasions excessive sneezing. in the mouth and fauces it produces an almost insupportable sense of acrimony.

When swallowed in moderate doses, it causes a feeling of warmth in the stomach, which spreads over the body, probably sympathetically; and, if the dose is increased, nausea and vomiting are induced, sometimes attended, according to MM. Faivre and Leblanc,++ with spasmodic pains more or less severe. Very different statements are made in relation to the purgative property of Veratria. Magendie says that, in the dose of one-quarter of a grain, it promptly produces abundant alvine evacuations; and its tendency to operate on the bowels is noticed both by MM. Faivre and Leblanc, and by Dr. Van Praag. Dr. Turnbull, on the contrary, states that he seldom found it to purge, even when largely given, and that its action was not unfrequently attended with constipation. When introduced into the intestines of animals, it has been found to produce inflammation of the mucous membrane.

* The facts stated in this article, on the authority of Dr. J. B. Klingner, are contained in a communication by that practitioner to the Glasgow Medical Journal for Jan. 1854, an epitome of which may be seen in the Am. Journ. of Med. Sci., July, 1854, p. 226.

+ The results of the experiments of Dr. J. Leonides Van Praag are contained in Virchow's Archiv., Bd. vii. Heft 2; and an abstract of them is given in the British and Foreign Medico-chir. Rev. for July, 1855, Am. ed., p. 185.

‡ The statements made, on the authority of MM. Faivre and Leblanc, are derived from a communication made by them to the French Academy of Medicine, and published in the Archives Generales, Fev. 1855, p. 238.

The effects just stated prove the locally irritating property of Veratria. The following, I think, no less evince its general sedative influence, at least on the circulation.

After it has been swallowed a short time, the first general feeling of warmth is followed by tingling or prickling more or less extensively through the body, with curious sensations as of currents of heat or cold over the surface; the pulse becomes depressed in frequency and strength; the respiration is also diminished; and one or more of the secretions, particularly those of the kidneys, skin, and salivary glands are notably increased. Dr. Van Praag states that the pulse is early and remarkably reduced in frequency. in the case of a female, to whom he gave one-twentieth of a grain four times in one day, and one-tenth of a grain as often on the following day, the pulse in the first day fell from 90 to 72, and in the second to 64. MM. Faivre and Leblanc state that, whenever it was in their power to examine the pulse before and after the exhibition of the alkaloid, they found it diminished, and often irregular. They speak also of a general prostration of strength. in experiments upon the lower animals, these observers all agree as to another singular effect from large doses; tetanic contractions, namely, of the muscles of the extremities and of the trunk, which impede respiration, and give rise even to asphyxia. if the dose of the medicine is poisonous, these effects become immediately manifest. The spasms are at first short and at considerable intervals, but increase in frequency and violence till the animal succumbs, at the end of half an hour or an hour. These effects have not, I believe, been observed in the human subject. Van Praag, in summing up the physiological action of Veratria, states that "the respiration and circulation are diminished, the muscles lose their tone, and the irritability of many of the nerves, especially of the peripheral cutaneous nerves, is considerably impaired."

There is little doubt that Veratria operates through its absorption. it gives rise to the same general effects to whatever surface applied; operating, according to Van Praag, most rapidly when taken into the stomach, less so when introduced into the rectum, and still less so when in contact with a wound of the skin. it is said, when introduced into the cavity of the pleura, in the lower animals, to produce tetanus and death in a few minutes.