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be staying in the house a very intelligent lady, whoremembered reading about two years ago some letters inThe Times of cases of arsenical poisoning at Cooper’s-hillCollege by means of so-called Indian muslins used as

curtains and draperies of the rooms. On investigationbeing made, it was found that the patient had been fornearly two years working with such muslins, tearingthem and making them up into covers for sofa-cushions,curtains, and many kinds of art draperies, both for herselfand friends. Mr. Bryans, M.B., examined for me some ofthe muslins, and found undoubted traces of arsenic. I com-municated with Dr. Matthews, Demonstrator of Chemistryat Cooper’s-hill College, who told me there had been cases ofarsenical poisoning there traced to such muslins and cre-tonnes. I sent this gentleman some of the samples used bymy patient, and he told me that he discovered arsenic intwo of the samples, one of which contained a small amount,while in the other lie found arsenic in considerablequantities, and he had no hesitation in declaring the latterto be dangerous.

Of course the muslins with which the patient was stillsurrounded were at once got rid of; but she was confined tobed for some days, being quite unable to stand. Iodides

and "puralis" water were given and galvanism appliedduring her stay in the house. She improved gradually, andwas able to get to my house in about ten days, when staticelectricity was again resorted to, with some further im-provement ; but, the weather getting very cold, she leftfor Brighton at the end of January, where she was seenby Mr. Bernard Roth and Dr. Uhthoff. She remainedunder Dr. Uhthoffs care till the middle of March.During her stay at Brighton there was a still further im-provement in her condition. Dr. Cowers saw her in Londonon March 20th, and by permission of Dr. Uhth.in’ I quotea portion of his letter to him : " I have seen Mrs. H-this afternoon. There seems to me to be no reason for donbtthat Dr. M’Clure’s diagnosis is correct. Peripheral neuritiscertainly exits. Apart from alcohol, a mineral poison isby far the most probable cause. Spots of pigmentation ofthe skin is one of the characteristic effects of chronicarsenical poisoning. I have seen it several times in conse-quence of the long-continued administration of arsenic toprevent bromide rash in epilepsy. No other cause of thesesymptoms can be traced. Arsenic is the only cause whichaccounts for the skin pigmentation and the nervous sym-ptoms. It does account perfectly for everything in thecase. The exposure to arsenic appears ample. Thus theevidence appears to me overwhelming. Such a case is veryrare. I have never seen one like it before, nor do Iremember reading of one ; but such cases would probablyhave been misunderstood till recently. All the cases ofarsenic paralysis recorded of late years have followed acutearsenical poisoning. The prospect of recovery is good."Of the usual symptoms of arsenical poisoning the fol-

lowing were absent: with the exception of the periodicalattacks referred to, thete was no gastric pain or nausea, noirritation of the eyes, no cough or dyspncea, no typicaltongue, no albuminuria, and no arsenic found in the urine.The most important point in the diagnosis as a neuritis, aspointed out by Starr,2 was the implication of the sensoryafferent as well as the motor efferent nerves.Cromer,

NITRO-GLYCERINE — A SUBSTITUTE FORALCOHOL IN CASES OF EMERGENCY.

BY JOSEPH B. BURROUGHS, M.D.,PRESIDENT OF ONTARIO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, NEW YORK STATE.

IN presenting to the medical profession the subject of nitro-glycerine, my object is to bring to their attention a drug that in its effects, rapidity of action, size of dose, andlack of taste when taken in water, cannot be surpassed.Greater than these properties, desirable as they are, is theadditional one, that in nitro-glycerine we possess an

efficient substitute for alcohol in every case of emergency.Indeed, in some cases, after alcohol had failed, nitro-

glycerine succeeded.History.-With so many desirable qualities, one would

suppose it needed only to have been introduced to the pro-2 Ann. Univers. Med. Sciences, vol. i.

fession to become at once popular. Unlike cocaine, whichwas used universally within a few months after its firstannouncement, nitro-glycerine has been before the pro-fession over thirty years, and yet, until the last few years,it was seldom or never mentioned in medical literature.In 1858 Field introduced it as a remedy in neuralgia andnervous affections. The Academy of Science of Paris in1875 carefully investigated its physiological properties andcautioned physicians against using it in large doses. Four

years later Dr. Murrell recommended its use as a successfulmeans in the relief of the agony of neuralgia of the heart(angina pectoris). For a number of years favourable resultswere reported in our magazines. Gradually, as physiciansbecame more acquainted with its effects, it was tried inother diseases, where relief was hoped for by increasing thevolume of the pulse. In July, 1885, I published a briefarticle in the Therapeutic Gazette of Philadelphia, Penn.,recommending the drug as an efficient substitute for alcoholin cases of emergency. The article was widely copied.THE LANCET suggested to physicians to investigate thisnew claim for the drug, and see if it could be used orrecommended.Preparation and Dose.-Druggists usually keep it in stock

in a 10 per cent. solution, which strength is non-explosive.From this 10 per cent. solution they prepare a 1 per cent.solution for the use of the profession, at a cost of eight centsan ounce, which is one cent for sixty doses. It is also soldin the form of pills, perles, and triturates. The liquidform I have found the handiest, and least liable to changeand become worthless. Care should be taken to keep thebottle tightly corked, or by evaporation the strength mightbe increased. Although nitro-glycerine is not decomposedby the acid of the stomach, yet, as nitrites as a class are toa great extent rendered inert by acids, it would be as wennot to use an acid with nitro-glycerine in the same

prescription. The dose is one drop of a 1 per cent. solution.This may be taken in water into the stomach, the physiciandropping ten drops into a tumbler, and adding ten tea-spoonfuls of water, one teaspoonful now representing onedrop of the remedy. If there is need of great haste, or ifthe patient cannot swallow from being unconscious, onedrop can be placed within the lower lip or upon the tongueby means of a dropper or pipette, which many physicians.now carry in their case of remedies. The drug may begiven hypodermically ; but so rapid is its absorption throughthe mucous membrane of the mouth that, unless the syringeshould happen to be filled and ready for use, I doubt ifany time would be gained by the use of the needle. Patientsare not all alike in the amount required to produce aneffect-some requiring less than one drop, others requiringthree or four drops to produce the same effect ; the usualdose, however, is one drop. Patients also differ in theduration of the effect of the drug. Usually the effect laststhree or four hours, but in a few cases the effect had ceasedin twenty or thirty minutes. Permit me to say herethat the name nitro-glycerine is so associated in the mindsof the people with dynamite and with gunpowder that inmany cases where the physician has to give a name forwhat he prescribes it might be wisdom to call the remedyby its less terrorising names-glovoin, trinitrin.Physiological Effects.-Dropped on the tongue, the effectis the more rapid, as there is no dilution. By way of thestomach, unless greatly diluted, the effect is apparent in a.

few minutes, the pulse being increased from 10 to 20 beats,and becoming full and regular. In a few cases there is aslight headache, lasting for a few minutes. In larger dosesthe face becomes flushed, a severe headache is experienced,accompanied with a feeling of fulness, singing in theears, flashes before the eyes, and all the symptoms ofan increased supply of blood to the brain. On account ofthis effect on the cerebral circulation, care should be takenin administering the remedy to the aged, as the suddenexpansion of the cerebral vessels might cause a rupture oftheir weakened calcareous walls. Its action on the heart isthrough the sympathetic nervous system. The vagus nerveand the vaso-contractor nerves of the vaso-motor nervoussystem are depressed, partially paralysed. This allows theextensive system of arterioles to dilate, and thus give roomwithin their walls for a greater amount of blood to flow.Thus this enlarged reservoir of tubes relieves the heart ofthe work of forcing the current through narrow contractedtubes. This and the vagus nerve being depressed permitsthe heart to beat freer, fuller, and more rapidly.Antagonists.-In case of a poisonous dose of nitro-glycerine

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having been taken, we should select as antidotes such drugsas act in an opposite manner upon the vaso-motor nervesto that of nitro-glycerine. Our object should be to cause acontraction of the arterioles. The most desirable agentsfor this purpose are strychnine, ergot, and belladonna.These agents should be given hypodermically, in case ofpoisoning, as they diffuse much more slowly than nitro-glycerine. Everything should be done to save the brainfrom injury by the engorgement of the bloodvessels

(hyperæmia). In one case I gave instant relief from the

agonising headache by having the patient place his claspedhands behind his neck and press the thumbs against thethrobbing carotid arteries. (See Case 8.)

ACTION COMPARED BETWEEN NITRO-GLYCERINE ANDTHAT OF OTHER DRUGS.

1. Digitalis (foxglove). - Comparing nitro-glycerine anddigitalis, we find both increase the force of the heart’s beat.In all other respects they are unlike, and are antagonistic.Digitalis increases the action of the vagus nerve and thecontractor nerves of the circulatory system. Nitro-glycerinediminishes the action of those nerves. Digitalis increasesthe force of the heart’s action by diminishing the rapidityof the pulse. Nitro-glycerine increases the force of theheart’s action by increasing the rapidity of the pulse. Doeither or both strengthen the heart? If so, how? The onlyagencies that can directly strengthen an organ are such sub-stances as enter into the composition of that organ. Hence,as digitalis and nitro-glycerine do not enter into the com-position of the heart, it follows that, if they are tonics tothe heart, they must be such indirectly. Now, the questionis, how can they indirectly strengthen the heart? Theduration of each 72 pulsations and rests per minute ofthe heart in health may be divided into five parts, thefirst two parts (two-fifth) being occupied in the con-

traction, the actual forcing of the flow of blood. Thisis followed by the remaining three parts (three-fifths), aperiod of _passive rest, in which the heart muscles take nopart in the filling of the chambers of the heart with blood.During the contraction, the working period of the heart,the body, as a whole, receives its fresh supply of food-ladenedblood; but it is during the passive - rest period, wheneven the smallest arteriole of the heart lies wide open,that every fibre of the heart’s own muscular walls isrelaxed, quietly drinking in its own life- and strength-giving food. Thus in every twenty-five hours the heartworks ten hours, and takes fifteen hours for rest and forobtaining food from the blood. A singular fact is, that, nomatter how rapid the pulse may be, the actual time occupiedin each contraction of the heart is always the same. Hence,the rest period is the one that varies. Thus, a pulse of 140shows the heart is working twice ten hours out of everytwenty-five, and resting only five hours. This is the reasonwhy a pulse of 160, if continued, means certain death. Notthat the heart cannot beat thus rapidly from its nature, but160 beats, if continued, means nearly twenty-three hours’work, and only two out of every twenty-five given to restand the obtaining of food. The richer the blood and themore nourishing the diet, the longer the heart will maintainthis rapidity of action; but in any case, if the pulse is notreduced in rapidity, it will cease. With these facts beforeus, we may the more readily understand how digitalis, andpossibly nitro-glycerine, can strengthen the heart. Digi-talis, we have stated, increases the action of the vagusnerve, which nerve causes the influence of the contractornerves of the sympathetic system to relax their hold uponthe muscles of the heart, and thus permit it to rest andobtain a little food and strength. Digitalis, by increasingthe power of the vagus nerve, increases its power over thesympathetic contractor nerves of the heart, and thus alittle prolongs each rest period (diastole) of the heart. Asthe rest periods are increased in length, nearer to normal,the heart receives more time to obtain food, and with foodstrength. Thus, indirectly, digitalis is a heart tonic, andnot only increases the force but also the actual strength ofthe heart’s muscles. Nitro-glycerine, we have stated,increases the rapidity and volume of the pulse. Does italso increase the strength of the heart, acting as it does uponthe same nerves, but in the opposite manner to digitalis ?The object one has in view in giving either drug is to causean abnormal pulse to become soft, but full and firm, andnearer the normal 72 beats per minute. This digitalis doeswhen the pulse is above normal, and nitro-glycerine whenthe pulse is below normal. When the pulse is below normal

(say 40 to the minute), it is evident that, if the heart isweak, it cannot be from a lack 01 rest, as it would beworking only five hours and resting nearly twenty hourseach twenty-five hours. The weakness must be due toover-rest; the blood remaining too long a time among theheart’s muscular fibres, before it is squeezed out by way ofthe veins and a fresh supply rich with food flows on by wayof the arteries. Nitro-glycerine, by increasing the rapidityof the pulse (and probably dilatation of the arterioles of theheart, as well as those of the general system), causes thevenous blood to be expelled and the arterial blood to flowamong and through the heart’s muscles more frequently.We are not to forget that the usefulness of either drug as aheart tonic ends when the full regular pulse reaches thenormal 72. Digitalis, carrying the pulse below normal,enters the field of stagnation. Nitro-glycerine, allowingthe pulse to fly above normal, encroaches upon the restperiod of the heart.

Nitrite of Amyl.--Nitrite of amyl and nitro-glycerine aresimilar in their action and effects. The former can be givenmore rapidly, as simply breathing a few drops from a hand-kerchief is almost instantly felt by the fulness in the brain.The effect lasts but a short time, and hence nitro-glycerineis to be preferred in most cases. Let me say here that inone or two cases I have found nitro-glycerine had to berepeated every half-hour to prevent the pulse from dis-appearing at the wrist, the patient apparently dying. Here,I give in place of the nitro-glycerine three or four grains ofsalicylate of ammonia every two hours, the pulse returningin a short time after the first dose, and the syncope beingprevented. The remedy has a very pleasant taste, andreadily dissolves and quickly absorbs when placed on thetongue.Alcohol and Ether.--Alcohol and ether are similar in

their action and effects to nitro-glycerine, and also to eachother. All three produce, first, a period of excitementwhen the heart beats quicker and fuller, and the brain,from the increased supply of blood, is more active. Withall three this first stage, or effect, is followed by a secondeffect-the stage of unconsciousness. With ether this firststage is soon reached and passed, and the second stage-that of unconsciousness-is rapidly entered. With alcoholthe first period is of longer duration, larger quantities of thedrug and a greater length of time being required to passfrom the first stage into that of the second stage. Nitro-glycerine, compared to the rapidity of action of the othertwo drugs, enters the first stage almost instantly, and thestage of unconsciousness only after a poisonous dose istaken. Hence ether is preferred to alcohol where an anæs-thetic is required, because ether quickly passes the firststage and enters the second. Alcohol is preferred to etherin cases of emergency, where the effect on the circulationis what is desired, and not the second stage. Continuingthis line of reasoning, nitro-glycerine should be preferredto alcohol in every case of emergency, because not onlydoes it act in the same way as alcohol, but nitro-glycermeacts with greater rapidity, can be given during uncon-sciousness, is almost tasteless in water, one drop is equal to anounce of brandy, and last, but not least, with many patientsit cannot create or arouse a slumbering appetite for the drug.

(To be concluded.)

FIBRO-MYXOMA OF THE DUODENUM, PRO-DUCING EXTLEME DILATATION OF

THIS AND OF THE STOMACH.

BY ARTHUR FOXWELL, B. A., M.B.CANTAB., M.R.C.P.,ASSISTANT PHYSICIAN TO THE GENERAL HOSPITAL, BIRMINGHAM.

SARAH D——, aged twenty-eight, married, was sent tome by Mr. J. W. Taylor, of the Women’s Hospital, for myopinion as to whether she were or were not a suitable caseon which to perform Loreta’s operation of dilating thepylorus. As she was considerably emaciated, it was

thought advisable first to endeavour to improve her con-dition by artificial feeding. Through the courtesy of SirWalter Foster, she was therefore admitted into the GeneralHospital under my care on Feb. 23rd, 1888.The family history of the patient was stated to have been

exceptionally good. There had been no phthisis or malignant