Permanganate of Potash in Diabetes.—A gentleman, upwards of 60,
residing in the country, had for several months been suffering from
confirmed diabetus inellitus when I first saw him, two years and a half
ago. In the course of the twenty-four hours lie passed from ten to
twelve pints of urine, the specific gravity of which was 1.035 in the
morning, and 1.040 in the evening. The patient was greatly ema-
ciated, and he suffered severely from constant pains in the back and
thighs, and from increasing debility. After he had perseveringly tried
various remedies for nine or ten months, without deriving any benefit,
I began, in August, 1850, to give him the permanganate of potash in
solution, in doses of two grains, which were afterwards increased to
three grains, three times a day. In the course of a few days a visible
improvement took place; be felt better; the quantity of urine began
to diminish, and the thirst became less troublesome. These favorable
symptoms were soon followed by some return of appetite, and a gradual
increase of strength. This amendment went on without interruption ;
the medicine was continued for three months, until the following No-
vember, when all medical treatment was discontinued, as the patient
felt quite well, and the urine was reduced to its natural amount. A
remarkable fact must, however, be mentioned, that at that time, not-
withstanding the restoration of the general health, the urine still con-
tained a considerable quantity of sugar. I am not aware whether this
state still exists, but the patient’s report to me a few days since ran
thus : “ I pass less than a pint of urine during the night, somewhat more
during the day; the pains are gone, a id I can walk a fair distance
without fatigue.” The dose of permanganate of potash which I have
generally found to agree best with the stomach, is from one to three
grains in solution, and it should be given in three or four tablespoonfuls
of water three times a day, shortly before meals.—Mr. George Sampson
in Lancet.