M. Blanchet has given the remedy, in the form of aconitia, in cases of functional deafness and abnormal sounds, with the effect of sometimes curing the affection, and frequently relieving it; but in other instances he has failed entirely. (Ann. de Thérap., 1858, p. 48.) it is recommended by Cazenave in certain irritable cutaneous eruptions, in which it may act beneficially not only by diminishing the capillary circulation in the surface, but also by moderating an abnormal. sensitiveness of the cutaneous nerves.

It is said to have proved extraordinarily successful, in some instances, in checking excessive sweating.

Mr. Long, of Liverpool, has employed the tincture of aconite, with remarkable effect, in obviating the local and constitutional irritation with severe rigors, which in some persons follows the introduction of the bougie. (Liverpool Medico-chirurg. Journ., Jan. 1858.)

Finally, aconite has been found useful by M. Fouquier in passive dropsies, in which it proves serviceable by its diuretic property; has been recommended in amenorrhoea, connected with chronic congestion, or an habitual spasmodic condition of the uterus; and has been employed, with supposed benefit, in metastatic abscess or purulent infection; though upon what principle it would be likely to operate beneficially in that affection, I should be at a loss to determine.

4. Administration

The effects of aconite may be obtained from the powder, extract, tincture, or isolated active principle; and all these forms are officinal.

The powdered leaves may be given in the dose of one or two grains; but the medicine is seldom used in this form.

Two Extracts are officinal; one, the inspissated juice of the fresh leaves (Extractum Aconiti, Br.), which, however, is very uncertain, sometimes very feeble if not inert, and has been abandoned in the late revision of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia; the other, the Alcoholic Extract (Extractum Aconiti Alcoholicum, U. S.), which is made by evaporating a tincture of the dried leaves, and, if prepared from recently dried leaves, may be efficient. The dose of the former is one or two grains; of the latter half a grain or a grain. An alcoholic extract might also be prepared from the root, of which the dose should not exceed one-quarter of a grain to begin with.

The tinctures are much more employed than the powder or extract. The U. S. Pharmacopoeia recognizes two tinctures, having retained the old tincture of the leaves, and adopted a new and strong one of the root. it is of the utmost importance that these tinctures should not be confounded in prescription; as the most serious consequences might ensue from a mistake.

Tincture of Aconite Leaf (Tinctura Aconiti Folii, U. S.) is a weak preparation, having all the uncertainty of the dried leaves, and should be discarded from the Pharmacopoeia. The dose is from twenty to thirty drops.

Tincture of Aconite Root (Tinctura Aconiti Radicis, U.S.; Tinctura Aconiti, Br.) is a very strong tincture of the root, made, according to the directions of our Pharmacopoeia, in the proportion of a pound to two pints of alcohol. it has about three times the strength of the present British tincture, and is nearly or quite saturated. it has the great advantage, over the preceding preparation, of comparative uniformity and certainty of operation; but it is very necessary to bear in mind its poisonous operation in over-doses, and to be extremely careful, in prescribing it, not to mistake it for the tincture of the leaves. it is, on the whole, the most efficient and convenient preparation of aconite, whether for internal or external use; and there need be no danger with due caution. it has, indeed, almost superseded the other forms. The commencing dose should not exceed five drops in any ordinary case; and it would be most prudent to begin with three. This may be repeated three times a day, and increased gradually with each dose, after the first day, until some sign of its action is obtained, such as tingling and numbness in the fingers or lips, diminished frequency of the pulse, or headache with giddiness. After the dose in which it is capable of acting is ascertained, it must be increased, if at all, with great caution, and, should unpleasant symptoms occur, must be at once suspended.

When externally used, it may be most conveniently applied by friction with a small piece of sponge, tied to the end of a stick, and saturated with the tincture. The rule is to persevere with the friction until the peculiar sensation of prickling or numbness in the part is produced, or till the object for which it is employed is accomplished. Care should be taken not to apply it to abraded, ulcerated, or wounded surfaces, or to that of a mucous membrane.

The Liniment of Aconite (Linimentum Aconiti, Br.), which is peculiar to the British Pharmacopoeia, is a very strong tincture, made in the proportion of twenty avoirdupois ounces of the root to an imperial pint of rectified spirit, and an ounce of camphor. it is intended exclusively for external use; and the same care must be used in its application as in that of the U. S. tincture. Sometimes it may be desirable to weaken it by the addition of two parts or more of soap liniment.

Whatever preparation of aconite is used, the dose may be repeated, as in the case of the tincture of the root, three times a day, and gradually increased until it acts.