MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS.
On Nux Vomica in Impotence and Spermatorrhoea. By M. Duclos.
—Incomplete impotence is of far more common occurrence than would
be supposed, until many patients have been questioned respecting it.
Erections are almost always possible, especially in the morning; but
they are soft, incomplete, and insufficient, a certain amount of tension
only continuing, and that for a short time. This state may be met with
in men even of the strongest make and most robust constitution, in
whom the vascular and muscular systems have attained their highest
development. In others, in whom these systems and the nervous
system are ill-developed, the generative functions are properly exercised ;
so that the general physical force is no criterion of the special force of
these organs. This imperfect condition is as often found in those who
have been excessively continent, as in those who have abused the sexual
organs; and it is observed just as often in persons whose nervous sys-
tem is easily excitable, as in those in whom its lesser irritability allows
of a predominance of the muscular and vascular systems. Self-pollu-
tion may occur either by night or by day, the discharge being either a
true or a pseudo-spermatorrhoea.
Accident first led the author to the employment of nux vomica in this
class of affections; and he has since observed several cases in which
its efficacy has proved very great. He divides 75 grains of the alcoholic
extract into 100 pills. During five days he gives 1 every night; then
for other 5 days, 1 morning, 2 night; for other 5 days, 2 night and
morning; and for other 5 days, 2 morning and 3 at night; and so on
until 4 are taken night and morning. He has never found any harm
result, although some patients have taken 14 pills per diem. In many
cases the stomach is rapidly improved by the medicine, the lost appe-
tite returning. The following liniment rubbed into the loins and on the
inside of the thighs is a valuable though not an essential auxiliary :—
R. T rae. Nuc. Vom., Trae. Arnicas vel Melissee, aa, 60 p. Tr. Lytlae
15 p. The regimen should be tonic ; and the increased appetite demands
a larger supply of food. A very moderate use of coitus is advisable.—
Brit, and For. j\'ledico-Chii'Ug. Rev., from Bull, de Therap.