Therapeutics

Austin Davis records a case in which very large quantities of chloral hydrate and potassium bromide were taken without fatal result (New York Med. Journ., 28th May 1898). The patient was a man suffering from periodontitis of the upper jaw. Driven to desperation by the severe pain, he finished in three hours, and taking wineglassful doses, a bottle ?f bronridia. When seen immediately after, there was nothing in his Physical or mental condition suggestive of hypnotic drugs, but lie slept heavily during the night. The total amount of drugs ingested was 960 grs. of each of chloral hydrate and potassium bromide, and of extract of hyoscyamus and of cannabis indica 8 grs. each. The minimum lethal dose of chloral hydrate is usually stated at 30 grs.; recovery, however, has often followed after large doses, 600 grs. being the largest aiUount hitherto recorded. Symptoms of severe poisoning have usually been present, but in this case were probably antagonised by the presence ?f excessive pain.