Star.
London, England, 1824-11-04 00:00:00

BRAIN OF AN IDIOT.

M. Jadelot presented to the Ftsoch Academy, on the
10th Aug.the brain of an idiot (a chill, the two lobes of
which offered, at their superior slit face, hOi any trace
0-1 convalations. Tne two hemispheres consisted of an
uniform layer of white medullary substance, covered
by tr thin layer of cinetitions muter. The lateral van-
nicks, and other parts of the brain, were in their na-
tural condition.—London Medical Repository.

OF TM; EFFICACY OP THE ROOT OF THE ARTS-
• 111ISIA VULGARIS (MUG-WORT) IN EPILEPSY.

LiT rILOYISIWR C. G. 111116-LAND.

Dr. Burdacb, of Wiebal, ue.ar &vat', having b-en in
the habit of employing the root of plant in epilepsy,
nolessor lisifeland was induced to try its effects.
Dr. Iltirdach recommends the root to he gltheted
atplot,tlw middle of October, to be dried in the shade
uillo,ut washing, and rot to he pnwdeieJ until shortly
Lcio•e it. exhibition. It should be taken in powder,
within half an hour of the expected accession of the
paroxysm, when the paroxysm can be foriw.en, i 4 the

'dose of It cofree.spoonful (fro n 50 to 70 grairs) in a'
little warm beer: the patient 0u,414 io:be placed in bed,;
Well covered, and to drink warm beer. Copious per-i
spiration i; the result, s hid: ha: 41g subsided, the pa-:
tient may leave his bed.
Dr. But dach asserts that the first dose generally pro-
cures some relief, and sometimes performs a complete
cure. He advises the dose of this medicine to be re-
pealed on alternate days.
Professor Bute:and prescribed this remedy in ten
chases of epilepsy in the “Polyclirrical Institution of Ber-
lin." Of these, three were perfectly cured, three ob-
tained relief, the paroxysms becoming less frequent,
and much less severe; and four derived no advantage
from its use. These experiments deserve to be repeated
in this country ; for, according to the observations of
Hufeland and Burdach, this substance seems to possess
more efficacy in the disen'c than a priori reasoning
would lead us to expect from any single remedy, espe-
cially when we connect the pathology of the disorder
with the means of remedying it.

We subjoin an abstract of some of the cases pub-
lished by Profeisor Ilufeland and Dr. Buidach, as we
conceive that the result entitles this substance to the fa-
vourable notice of practitioners. The experience
Hufeland being in its favour is.no small t ecommendation ;
CASE 1 st.—A female, aged forty-one, who had been
hysterical, became subject to attacks of epilepsy. These)
attacks seem to have been consequent on chagrin, irre-
gular menstruation, and a sedentary life. She was re-
ceired into the hospital under the care of Hufeland,
and during a month's residence in the institution, she
experiencid six epileptic fits. As each of the paroxysins
was ushered in with general uneasiness and agitation,
the powdered root of the Artemisia was exhibited on
the appearance of these symptoms. The first dose was
talt.tn at eleven o'clock at night, at the moment when
the usual forerunners of the fit declared its accession.
A very abundant perspiration supervened, which con
tinned till morning. The patient had no sleep ; she
changed her linen and felt much relieved. On the fol-
lowing day, however, at two in the afternoon, she was
suddenly seized with a paroxysm, which ari hour after-
wards was succeeded by a second, equally violent as
the former ; she then fell into a profound sleep, which
continued until the morning following. Seventy-two
hours after the exhibition of the first dose, a second was
given in warm beer. A general, a very abundant,
and fetid perspiration speedily supervened ; and in the
morning she had a copious discharge of yellowish urine,
which did not deposit any sediment. She felt greatly
relieved. She left the hospital in the following mouth ;
and at the end of two years, M. Hufeland ascertained
that she bad since enjoyed perfect health, and had not
had any attack of epilepsy.
CASE! 2d.—A girl, seventeen years of age, an epilep-
tic from her fifth year, in consequence of a blow on the
head, had a paroxysm daily at the same hour. One
dose of the Artemisia Vulgatis, which was followed by
perspiration, cured the disease.

CASE Bd.—A girl, eighteen years of age, epileptic
from the age of two years, in whom the paroxysms had
been increasing in frequency and severity since their
first appearance, until she had as many as twelve attacks
in the day, took the Artemisia in the manner described
above. After the third dose the paroxysms were re-
duced to two in the day, and these were of short dura-
tion. No further report was given of this case.
CASE 4th.—A man, twenty-nine years of age, was
subject to a Periodical epilepsy, during four years. The
disease appealed after a fall into the water when he was
drunk. Two doses of the Artemisia completely re-
moved the disorder.

CASE sth.—A man, thirty-six years of age, and ra-
ther imbecile in his intellects, was weekly subject to-
two or three paroxysms of epilepsy, since his infancy.
Three doses of the Artemisia proved sufficient to dimi-
nish the number of paroxysms to one in a month. A
large dose of this substance taken by the patient him-
self each month, entirely prevented the return of the
paroxysms.
CASE 6th.—A girl, sixteen years of age, was seized
with epilepsy at the age of puberty, without any evi-
dent cause. She generally had two paroxysms in the
forty-eight-hours. One dose only of the Artemisia en-
tirely removed the disease.—Medical Repository. •