EPILEPSY. — Belladonna. according to Trousseau and Pidoux. is a more effi cient remedy in the treatment of epi lepsy than the salts of silver, copper, or zinc. Both insist that belladonna should be given steadily for a year in gradually increasing doses, and that if amendment is then produced it should be continued through two, three, or even four years. The best results from the use of belladonna are obtained in nocturnal epilepsy, in petit maZ, and in pale, delicate, and anemic subjects, with cold hands and feet, blue skin, and weak heart (Bartholow). Nothnagel advises a combination of zinc oxide with the bella donna, the former in gradually increas ing doses. Moeli has advised an alterna tion of atropine and bromides as very effective, on the analogy of the opium bromide treatment. Belladonna is not equal to the bromides in diurnal epi lepsy, in epilepsy accompanied by cere bral hyperemia, or in epileptiform con vulsions due to an organic lesion of the brain. More effectual than the atropine
is Trousseau's method: During the first month the patient takes a pill—com posed of extract of belladonna and pow dered leaves of belladonna, of each, grain—every day, if his attacks occur chiefly in the day-time; or in the even ing, if they are chiefly nocturnal. One pill is added to the dose every month; and, whatever be the dose, it is always taken at the same time of the day. The dose may thus be increased from 5 to 20 pills or more. If this treatment fails to cure, it yields much relief.
Belladonna may, in grave cases of epilepsy, bring about a prolonged sus pension of attacks analogous to that produced by bromides. Fere (Journal des Connaissances Med. Prat. et de Pharm., Nov. 21, '95).