are in a number of instances larger than those given by the French

Having thus studied the doses of the various remedial articles in the practitioner's armamentarium, as usually administered through the channel of the stomach, we are now prepared to examine into the posological features characteristic of the same agents when administered through other surfaces or media, such as the skin, airpassages, rectum, vagina, uterus, and urethra, including a reference also to certain local applications, as gargles, eye-washes, etc. These topics will be discussed in continuation of the general subject of Doses.

The doses of strychnia and its nitrate seem unusual and excessive (see table of doses, page 90).

Doses of Medicines administered Hypodermically. The severity of the symptoms must be the main guide to the practitioner as to the quantity of the remedial agent he may desire to administer by subcutaneous in jection. It is expedient, however, that he should be familiar with the doses given by this channel. As a general rule, and when not otherwise mentioned, distilled water is the menstruum employed, and extreme care should be taken that the solution is perfect, free from foreign or irritating substances, neither acid nor alkaline, prepared by the practitioner himself, fresh when used, and filtered. Dr. Joseph G. Richardson' has proposed the employment of salicylic acid for the prevention of fungous growths in solutions for hypodermic medication, especially those containing morphia.

The chief articles administered in this way are arsenic, atropia, caffein, conia, ergotine, hydrocyanic acid, mercurial preparations, morphia, nicotia, physostigma, quinia, and strychnia.3

ARSENIC.-The liquor sodii arseniatis is less irritating. than Fowler's solution; five, ten, or fifteen minims may be injected every alternate day.

Arsenious acid has been injected in solution in doses of one to two centigrammes (gr. 1-3) with good results.

ATROPIA, SULPHATE OF.-The following strengths of solutions have been employed: gr. 4 to fɔ̃j, of which m v = gr. ; gr. ss to f3j, of which miiss gr. a's; gr. j to f3j, of which m,j= gr. g'o

1 N. Y. Medical Record, Sept. 30, 1876.

2 Roberts Bartholow, Manual of Hypodermic Medication, 2d edit., Philada., 1873; from which work many of the doses and formulæ of the various articles are quoted, and to which the reader is referred for their numerous therapeutic applications.

A safe subcutaneous dose of sulphate of atropia is gr. Children are less susceptible than adults, men than women. Atropia and morphia are often given together on account of their antagonistic toxical effects. (See Morphia.)

CAFFEIN. The subcutaneous dose is gr. j, which may be administered as follows:

R. Caffeine puræ, gr. vj;
Spiritus vini rectificati,

Aquæ destillatæ, ää fɔ̃j.-M.

Of this solution, m xx gr. j, the proper dose.

=

Or the citrate of caffein gr. j may be added to gtt. xxiv of pure glycerine.

CONIA. The following formula has been proposed:R. Coniæ, gr. j;

Spiritûs vini rectificati, f3ss;

Aquæ destillatæ, fiss.-M.

Of this solution mj = gr., and the hypodermic dose would be mj-ij. The solution decomposes easily, and should therefore be freshly prepared.

ERGOTIN. This substance may be administered subcutaneously as follows:

B. Ergotinæ, gr. ij;

Spiritûs vini rectificati,

Glycerinæ puræ, àã fɔ̃ss.-M.

Of this solution, mv gr. f.

A less irritating solution may be made by adding to 3 parts of ergotin, 7.5 parts each of glycerine and distilled water.

HYDROCYANIC ACID (DILUTE).-A safe dose is mij, which should not, as a rule, be exceeded.