BEAUMETZ and DUBIEF, Assoc. Eds., Annual, '94.] In a series of experiments upon the action of orehitic extracts registered by means of a specially devised neuro muscular apparatus, conclusion reached that capacity for work is increased by the action of such extracts, and in the fatigue as well a diminution in the sub jective sensations of weariness. O. Zoth and F. Pregl (Pfltiger's Archives, vol. lxii, p. 355).
The composition of o•chitic extract of all animals found practically identical. The active principles consisted chiefly of two bodies: (I) nucleo-albumin and (2) spermin. The former was very toxic, producing great cardiac inhibition re flexly through the cardiac nerve-centres. The latter, spermin, which was also pres ent in considerable quantity in semen, produced its effect principally by causing congestion of the abdominal viscera, in cluding both the testes and ovaries. W. E. Dixon (Lancet, July 7, 1900).
Therapeutics. — In diseases of the nervous system—the stronghold of the method—the affection in which the greatest benefit was claimed was loco motor ataxia. In a series of thirty-nine cases, for instance, thirty-one were re ported as either greatly benefited or completely cured. In much larger series the proportion of cures, etc., remained about the same; but, on the whole, the method has not in any way acquired the confidence of the profession, owing to the contradictory results obtained. In truth, Brown-Sequard himself did not pretend to do more than counteract the symptomatic manifestations of the dis order, and this the remedy certainly did for a time in a large number of cases. In epilepsy, however, it increased the severity and the number of paroxysms. In neurasthenia what benefit was ob tained did not prove lasting.
Experiments in patients suffering from neurasthenia, hysteria, pulmonary tuber culosis, and locomotor ataxia. Testicular juice has no physiological or therapeutic action upon the human organism; espe cially is there no action on the dynamo metrical forces; it may have an irri tating local action; whatever effects are observed, ephemeral and illusory, they should be attributed to the accidental variations of the disease, and principally to the action of suggestion. Magugliani
(Gazzetta Med. di Pavia, May 1, '93).
In certain cases it is wrong to at tribute the curative effects of the tes ticular liquid to suggestion. In certain animals the physical modifications ob served in patients, such as slackening of the pulse, increase of muscular power, etc., have also been observed. The cura tive results are due to a special substance that gives to the nervous system a force which it lacks. As regards ataxia cured by this method, one must admit the dis appearance of the symptoms, even if the lesion be not cured. Bouffe (Le Bull. Med., June 4, '93).
As far as locomotor ataxia is con cerned, testicular liquid acts by sugges tion, and that this suggestive influence is all the more manifest because, for the most part, ataxic patients are doubly hysterical. The symptoms which are cured in these ataxics are precisely those dependent on hysteria. BeriBon (Le Bull. Med., June 4, '93).
Twenty-eight cases of epilepsy treated by the subcutaneous injection of testic ular fluid submitted to the treatment for a sufficient length of time to form a fair test of its value. In eight there was slight diminution of the fits. In the other twenty the fits increased. In none of them did the intellectual state show amelioration. Bourneville and Paul Cor net (Le Progres Med., Dec. 9, 16, '93).
Failure in a number of cases of ataxia, sclerosis, paralysis agitans, etc.; what ever temporary amelioration occurred attributed to mental suggestion. G. W. Wood and A. T. Whiting (London Lan cet, Feb. 3, '94).
No improvement whatever in some cases of tabes do•salis in which it was tried. Carter (Liverpool Medico-Chir. Jour., July, '94).
Orchitic extract used in a large num ber of cases. All cases of nervous dis ease, without organic lesions, which are benefited by bromide of potassium, will receive marked benefit from orchitic ex tract. H. Grey Edwards (Brit. Med. Jour., June 8, '95).