Castor-Oil in Neuralgia.

Abstract

pent-stone in "Tang-King." This was applied, stuck fast, absorbed the poison, dropped off, and the patient was freed. The stone was washed in lime-water, dried and could then be used again. In a work on hydrophobia, published in 1812, Dr. Thacher says: "There prevails a fanciful opinion among a certain class of people, that a celebrated substance, known by the name of snake-stone, possesses, intrinsically, the power of extracting the poison of a snake or mad dog from the human body; that when applied, the stone will adhere like a leech to the bitten part, nor loose its hold till its numerous pores are literally glutted with the liquid poison. A case intended to corroborate this doctrine is recorded by Mr. William H. Harding in the Medical Repository, Vol. 4, hex. 2. He relates that his child received a bite from a dog supposed to be affected with rabies. The snake-stone was applied (in due form and full faith no doubt) by which every particle of poison was extracted, and no ill consequences resulted from the accident. Dr. Mease has, in the Medical Museum (Vol. 5, p. 1) with his usual freedom and good sense, animadverted upon the unreasonable prejudice in favor of this popular but fallacious expedient. He informs us that in India such stones are very common, and the cred¬ ulous natives believe, most firmly, in their preservative powers against the effects of the bites of venomous snakes. The au¬ thor of the 'Wonders of Nature and Art,' says Dr. Mease, thus notices these stones in the account of Tonquin. 'Persons who happen to be bitten by serpents, press out the blood, and apply a small stone, called the serpent-stone, which is said to possess