prescribed it in his practice." Dr. Charles S. Potts, of

the University of Pennsylvania, contributes a paper

Therap. Gazette, Dec., 1895, on the remedy, giving some

new points, from which the following is condensed:)



At the clinic for nervous diseases of the University Hospital, Solanum

Carolinense was tried in a series of twenty-five cases, twenty-one of

which were idiopathic, three organic, and one probably so. Of these,

eight of the idiopathic cases either did not return after the first

visit or else were not under observation sufficiently long to offer a

fair test. In the remaining seventeen cases the following results were

obtained--viz., five, two of them organic, were not improved. In the

remaining twelve the results showed more or less benefit from the use of

the drug. The five cases in which no improvement was noted were

afterwards placed upon other treatment, either antipyrin and bromide of

ammonium or the mixed bromides with amelioration of the symptoms in

four; in the remaining one no drug seemed to be of service. The dose

used at first was 10 drops. This dose was found to be useless, and after

the first few cases they varied from 30 drops to teaspoonful three or

four times daily. No unpleasant effects were observed, excepting a mild

diarrhoea in some cases. This was also noticed by Dr. Herdman. He also

noticed that in large doses the temperature was lowered and the pulse

slowed.



In many epileptics diarrhoea is more of a benefit than otherwise.



The conclusions derived from the results obtained in seventeen cases

are:--



1. That the drug has a decided influence for good upon the epileptic

paroxysm.



2. That this influence is probably not so great or so sure as that

obtained by the use of antipyrin and the bromide salts or even of the

mixed bromides.



3. That in those cases in which it is of service it relieves the

paroxysms, without causing any other unpleasant symptoms, such as are

sometimes caused by the use of large doses of the bromides.



4. That the dose ordinarily recommended is too small, and that as much

as a teaspoonful or more four times daily is often needed to secure

results.



The following are some of the cases in which the remedy seemed to act

beneficially:



H. T., male, aged thirteen years. Idiopathic epilepsy; had his first

spell when five years of age; averages one paroxysm daily. The Solanum

was first given in 10 drop doses t. i. d. without effect. When

increased to 25 drops the spells were lighter in severity, but occurred

about as often. The dose was finally increased to a teaspoonful four

times daily. After being put upon this dose he was under observation six

weeks, during which time he had six seizures much lighter in severity.



T. H., male, aged twenty-eight years. He had epileptic seizures for the

past three years. They followed an injury to the head which rendered him

unconscious, but produced no other visible injury. Since this, however,

has had almost constant headache. First spell six month after the

injury, and have been very frequent since, averaging three to four

weekly; they are of ordinary type. Solanum in 40 drop doses three

times daily was ordered. Spells at once decreased in frequency and

severity. During the last six weeks he was under observation he only had

three spells, very mild in type.



C. R., male, aged twenty-one years. Epileptic seizures for past three

years following an injury. Had been trephined in right parietal region

before coming under our observation. After trephining the symptom

improved, but got worse again; when seen by us was having one daily.

40-drop doses of Solanum caused diarrhoea, and dose was reduced to

30 drops t. i. d., when diarrhoea ceased. Under this treatment he

had no spell for two weeks. In the following month he had three spells;

was then lost to observation.



A. N., male, aged thirty years. First spell one year ago; have since

occurred every two weeks; good deal of headache. Ordered Solanum 30

drops t. i. d. No spells for one month and headache ceased. He then

stopped attendance.



J. D., female, aged eighteen years. First spell when thirteen years old;

has one spell a month at the time of her menstrual period. About a week

before this period was given 40 drops t. i. d., and escaped the usual

spell. The following month, however, she had one.



I. K., female, aged twenty-five years. Nocturnal epilepsy for past three

years; about one spell a month. While using 40 drops t. i. d. went

three weeks longer than usual without a spell. The dose was then

increased to 1 fluid drachm t. i. d.; she then ceased her visits.



F. S., female, aged twelve years. First spell five weeks ago; has been

having them daily since. Solanum 30 drops t. i. d., ordered; this

dose was gradually increased to 1 fluid drachm t. i. d. During the

three months that she was under observation her spells averaged in

number about one a week.



H. B., male, aged eighteen years. First convulsion at age of ten years;

then had none until three months ago; has had general convulsions about

once daily since. Solanum, 40 drops t. i. d., ordered. He was only

under observation nine days, having during that time four spells, much

milder in character.



A. C., female, aged fifteen years. First convulsion one year ago; they

have been increasing in frequency; now has one about every three days.

During the three weeks she was taking 30 drops of Solanum three times

a day she had one spell, that occurring during the third week.



H. K., male, aged eighteen years. First spell when fourteen years old.

Every three or four days has several attacks in succession, an average

of about one daily. While taking Solanum in 40-drop--afterwards

increased to teaspoonful--doses he had twelve in thirty-eight days, an

average of a little less than one in three days, going six without

having any.