Internally, veratria is generally administered preferably in the pilular form, in consequence of its intensely acrimonious taste, which renders its use in solution disagreeable. The dose is from one-twelfth to one-sixth of a grain, to be repeated every three or four hours, and increased if necessary, until some effect is experienced from it.

An alcoholic solution, for external use, may be made in the proportion of a scruple or half a drachm to a fluidounce of officinal alcohol. About half a drachm of this may be rubbed upon the part affected until the tingling sensation is produced; and the application may be repeated two or three times a day, or oftener if necessary, in neuralgia.

A solution in glycerin has also been recommended for external use.

An Ointment of veratria (Unguentum veratria, U. S., Br.) was introduced into the present edition of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, as a substitute for the ointment of white hellebore of former editions, being equally effectual, and less disagreeable. it is made by mixing twenty grains of the alkaloid with a troyounce of lard; the veratria being first rubbed with a little of the lard, and subsequently with the residue. The British Pharmacopoeia has a similar preparation, using, however, only eight grains to the ounce, and rubbing the veratria with half a flui-drachm of olive oil before incorporating it with the lard. it should be noticed, therefore, that the British ointment is not half so strong as ours. The preparation, besides producing the ordinary local effects of veratriae, has been employed in the cure of the itch. From half a drachm to a drachm of this may be applied two or three times a day. it should be used with caution in children.

Two or three grains of the alkaloid may be employed, either in solution or ointment, at one application. Care should always be taken, in its external use, that the skin is not abraded; and it should never be employed, unless greatly diluted, in the endermic method. Not more than from one-quarter to one-third of a grain should be applied at first in this manner. Dr. Vannain states that a portion, as large as one or two peas, of an ointment containing one per cent. of veratria, applied by light friction about the umbilicus, once or twice in twenty-four hours, is sufficient to relieve the pains of dysmenorrhoea; and more than four or five applications are never required for the purpose. (Journ. de Pharm. et de Chim., 3e sér., XXXIX. 67, a.d. 1861.)

Salts of veratria may be prepared by saturating the alkaloid with the acid more or less diluted, and evaporating to dryness. The sulphate, acetate, and tartrate have been employed. Dr. Turnbull preferred the last as least liable to irritate the stomach. The dose is the same as of the uncombined alkaloid.