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Show 384 whichit discovers in experiments out of the body,it is very pro. bable, that when thrown into the body in large quantiti es, so that at least its moresubtile parts maybediffused over the whole system, it may be expected to produce considerable antiseptic effects. Its power inresisting and curing gangrene, in the ex. periments of Collin, are very remarkable; but whether that powerbe owing to its antiseptic virtue alone, or to its operatio n at the same time on the nervous system, I would not rashlyde termine. Both fromits use in low, or what are called malignant fevers, and from its antiseptic powers, it is highly probable that it has been of great service in the confluent small-pox. It is also likely that it may be of service in favouring the eruption of exanthe- mata, and of bringing them back to the skin, when from any cause they had suddenly receded, though I have noparticular experience ofthis. These are the cases of acute diseases in which camphor has been useful; and its use in many chronic cases is equally well authenticated. Whenever diseases depend upon a mobility of the nervous power, and an irregularity of its motions, it may be expected that such a powerful sedative should be of service. Accordingly, many practitioners have reported its virtues in hysteric and hypochondriac cases; and I myself have had frequent experienceof it. ; In spasmodic and convulsive affections it has also beenof service ; and even in epilepsy it has been useful. I have not, indeed, known an epilepsy entirely cured by camphoralone, but I have had several instances of a paroxysm, which was expected in the course of a night, prevented by a dose of camphorexhi- bited at bed-time; and even this when the camphor was given alone: but it has been especially useful when given with a dose of cuprum ammoniacum, of white vitriol, or of the flowers of zinc. Since the report of Dr. Kinnier, in the Philosophical Trans- actions, cases of which I cessful ; or other 4 CAMPHOR TREE. CAMPHOR TREE. vol. xxxv., camphor has been often employed in mania; and I have given above an account ofa trial had made of it. In that case, however, it was not:sucnor in several other trials has it been more so with me, practitioners in this country. We have hadhere lately, in a patient under the care of Mr. Lata, surgeon, a notable example of the use of camphor in E 385 a maniacal case, which I think it proper to take notice of here. This shows clearly enough the power of camphor in mania; and I have only to add, that though in several other instances it has not made a cure, it has not in any instance of a moderate dose, that is, not exceeding half a drachm, occasioned any disorder in the system; and in several cases it has induced sleep, and rendered the mind for some time more quiet. I observe that by large doses De Berger has been moresuccessful; and perhaps the reason of our failure has been ournot attend- ing to his admonition. In his letter to Werlhoff on the subject of camphor he hasthe following passage: ‘¢ Multoties hoc remedio in mea praxi utor, precipue in inflammationibus internis, magno cum successu, et demiror tam multos medicos ab usu ejus interno abhorrere. Non diu est, quod premissis premittendis maniacum eo sanitati penitus restitui. In eo vero momentum precipuum situm est, ut sufficiente dosi et diu satis exhibeatur.” This is particularly confirmed bya case given by Joerdens in the Commercium Norimbergense. In several other writers there are accounts of maniacal and melancholic cases cured by the use of camphor ; but many of thepractitioners who report such cures acknowledge, that in many cases it had disappointed their expectations. Whether these failures have been owing to the not employing at the same time nitre, vinegar, and some other remedies which are supposed to contribute much to the virtues of camphor, we would not determine; but weare clear that mania is a disease of considerable diversity with respect to its causes, and that there are certain cases of it only to which camphor is properly adapted. In cases of an organicaffection of the brain, it is hardly to be supposed that camphor or any other remedy can be of use. I have mentioned above that several practitioners have employed camphor in the most acute inflammatory diseases; and therefore we are not surprised to find that it has beengivenalso internally in cases of acute rheumatism; andit is said to have been with advantage. We haveno experience of it, because we have found another method ofcure generally successful; but I take this occasion té mentionits external use as often of great service in removing the rheumatic pains of the joints or muscles, This we have often experienced, and have no doubt of camphor 2c |