nant. But the husband, not content with ten thousand pounds, and hoping to increase that sum four-fold, (aut Cæsar, aut nullus!) engaged in very extensive speculations, which not succeeding, served as an unfortunate occasion to renew the wife's incoherency, though there was no accompanying furor. Now the medicine ceased to have any beneficial influence. As I suspect, from post mortem examinations in other instances, there existed an enlarged state of the cerebral vessels, which produced a constant impetus of blood, owing to an increased calibre, quite incompatible with correct ratiocination, and over which we can, most obviously, possess no control. My patient was always harmless, and generally an excellent companion, frequently entertaining us with what she called her former frolics.

From the number of cases now pouring in upon me, I soon had an opportunity of judging and appreciating the real merit of this herb. Flushed with success, I thought of directing my attention to this class of sufferers only; until a few unsuccessful cases checked my confidence.

About this time I had an urgent message to attend the Duchess of Chandos, who had been non compos, from the deplored death of the Duke, her husband, (so very happily some great people live!) but whose insane intervals were only discoverable when she was contradicted.

During this period also, our late beloved King

GLECOMA Hederacea, or GROUND IVY.

5

George III., of scripturally pious and blessed memory, laboured under a paroxysm which required the constant attendance of the late Dr. Reynolds, of Bedford-square. I took the liberty of calling upon him, so sanguine and patriotic were my feelings. I mentioned it also at a subsequent period to Dr. Simmonds, of Poland-street, with whom I had a long discussion upon the nature and treatment of maniacal patients; the late King being under his care at that time. Mr. Cline, on that occasion, gave me his advice with his accustomed urbanity.

Mr. C., a gentleman of fortune, possessing every facility for sensual gratification, but forgetting to associate the "Dulce domum et placens uxor," necessarily became subject to ennui: and, to remedy a dull monotony, at last sought relief in the varied gaieties of Protei-form Paris, but in vain. On his return to town, he took the extract in the form of pills; and the impression upon his mind was such, that he wrote me, requesting I would send him, by the bearer, "a box of the incomparable restoratives."

Miss of Cheapside, a very accomplished young lady, being used most treacherously by a wretch of a lover, was seized in consequence by hysteria, sleepless nights, and a slight degree of aberration. For the relief of these distressing and alarming symptoms, no palliative was found so successful as the extract. So recently as last

month she expressed a wish that I would not leave her destitute of her composing pills. My inquiry whether the relief was imaginary or real? Oh! she added, I sleep so well, and awake so refreshed, that I cannot do without them.

was,

Post Mortem Examination of a Maniac. Miss Jane O, of Basinghall-street, about ten years ago was considerably agitated respecting the accomplishment of an union by marriage. The sudden demise, by apoplexy, of a wealthy friend, who took a very lively interest in her welfare, led to the realization of the wished-for event; but, owing to her delicate temperament and nervous irritability, symptoms of incongruity soon began to be developed ; and, subsequently, decided aberration was produced. This is not the first case of the kind I have met with; but here we had a complete triumph over the mental eclipse, by the extract of the glecoma hederacea, and the expressed juice of that herb. From this period to a recent date I lost sight of the parties, owing to an altercation with the bridegroom; and as I did not choose to compromise the honour of the profession, I was under the necessity of satisfying myself by inquiry, and I had the pleasure to learn that there existed no marks of the disease, except that her vivacity was exchanged for taciturnity and love of retirement.

The husband was misanthropical, and died re

GLECOMA HEDERACEA, OR GROUND IVY.

cently. This event had an instant effect upon the brain of the lady, for the relief of which I was again requested to attend her; but we had now the mortification to observe, that although during the few first days there did appear ground to augur favourably of the case, there was too soon indubitable proof that the glecoma, for which I have so strong a predilection, possessed no potency towards her relief. Although the usual routine of remedial measures was resorted to, with the superadded aid of marine and rural scenery, the most kind and Christian attentions that could possibly be rendered on her behalf, (of which I am a most willing witness) yet having become extremely emaciated, she gradually sunk, and calmly expired in Christian hope.

Messrs. Comson and Wheeler were so obliging as to render their important and accurate aid in investigating the condition of the brain sixteen hours after death. Upon exposing the brain to view, we were all surprised at the prodigious quantity of blood with which all the vessels were loaded, internally as well as externally. The circumstance reminded Mr. C. of some of the cases of typhus which he had inspected with Dr. Clutterbuck, that indefatigable physician, to whom we lie under incalculable obligations. The calibre of the internal carotids was in a twofold degree more capacious than usual, and upon cutting into them, presented minute particles of osseous matter,

pretty thickly studded. We thence concluded that the brain had been under the necessity of receiving a greater quantity of blood continually propelled by the heart than was compatible with the healthy function of that important organ; and I was somewhat gratified in being borne out with the remark, that when the glecoma hederacea fails of making a salutary impression, it is reasonable to calculate upon the existence of organic disease, which in this instance would indubitably have rendered inert every means of cure, however persevered in.

I cannot call to mind an individual case of mania where the glecoma hederacea has had full trial, without effect, and eventually, recovery.

Mr. H, of the Custom House, in his maniacal calamity, was placed under the care of Dr. Munro, at Northampton House. The symptoms exhibited a most curious conceit, as he supposed that he was not in this world, but an inhabitant of the world of spirits. It was not possible to preserve risible muscles sober; though it would have been a suitable correction for our levities, if the patient had remonstrated against us. After this facetious gentleman, however (such is the happiness sometimes associated with madness) had taken the expressed juice of the glecoma for a fortnight, he returned to the Custom House perfectly competent to all the duties in his depart