New Anti-Per iodics.—Dr. Holton recommends Prairie Dock—Par-
thenium Integrifolium—as a remedy for periodic fever. He considers
a decoction of two ounces of the dried tops of the plant, the equivalent
of twenty grains of quinine. This is placing a higher value upon its
remedial powers than has been accorded to any other substitute for cin-
chona, or quinine, that has been discovered. It proved successful in
thirty successive cases, some of which were severe; and without any
unpleasant effect upon the nervous system. If these observations are
confirmed and established by further experience, the remedy will be of
immense value. The root of the Yellow Jessamine—Gelseminum
Sempervirens—has also been recommended as a valuable substitute for
quinine. It is said to be of this root that the “ electric febrifuge” is
made, which is now used pretty extensively in the South, as a nostrum.
The efficacy of this remedy is certified to by the usual number of respect-
able names, including, of course, dignitaries of the church ; and we have
seen it—the Jessamine—highly extolled in several medical journals.—
In all the accounts we have seen, however, it has been used in conjunc-
tion with such large quantities of quinine, as to preclude the possibilitv
of forming a correct’ judgment of its anti-periodic efficacy ; and the same
is true of the electric febrifuge. Whether the two remedies be identical
or not, they are both powerfully narcotic, and it is probable their reme-
dial virtues are due to this quality. But we have no reason to suppose
them superior to the stramonium, and other narcotics which have been
in use as febrifuges from time immemorial. A species of Verbena, we
believe the F. verticifolia, has been successfully used as an anti-periodic
in the neighborhood of this city. Several families which have been
annoyed by intermittent fever, declare that they have found this herb
commonly called vervain, or vervine—so efficacions as to supersede the
use of quinine. They use the green herb itself, in decoction.—Memphis
Medical Recorder.