On Valerian in Epilepsy. By M. Chauffard.—M. Chauffard, an
able practitioner at Avignon, adds his testimony to that of so man}
other writers, concerning the great efficacy of this substance in the
various disorders of the nervous system ; and in truth in many of the
functional disturbances of this it is invaluable. M. Chauffard likewise
confirms the opinions of many of the older and some of the modern
writers on the materia medica, as to its utility in epilepsy, and he attri-
butes the failures in very many cases in which it has been given to the
small quantities employed. To be of use in this formidable affection,
very large quantities must be perseverir.gly taken for some months. In
the cases given in illustration, as much as from four to sixteen drachms
of the powder were taken in divided doses, daily. Great repugnance
is at first felt to both its taste and smell, but this is soon got over, and
neither nausea, oppression, nor other disagreeable sensation results ;
nor does the drug with any certainty produce diuretic or other marked
effect. Dr. Chauffard generally premised a bleeding with good effect;
and several cases remained under observation for months and years
after the cure was effected.—Brit, and For. Medico-Chirug. Rev., from
Rev. Med. Chir. t. v, pp. 265-72.
QWe are almost tired of chronicling remedies for epilepsy, so fallacious
do they all sooner or later prove; yet in so terrible an affection, and
one in which patients are usually so eager to try every resource, it is
satisfactory to have the testimony of so old a practitioner as M. Chauf-
fard, that in some forms of the disease, valerian has, to all appearances,
effected a cure.]