A VALUABLE MEDICINAL DISCOVERY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4454, 29 June 1875, Page 3

A VALUABLE MEDICINAL DISCOVERY.

The public, no less than the scientific world, will read with interest a very important statement recently made by Dr. Bichardson in the course of a lecture delivered before the Society of Arts. Speaking of the nitrite of ainyl, which has within these last few. years attained a remarkable importance owing to its extraordinary action on the human body. Dr. Bichardson said. that a distinguished chemist, Professor Guthrie, some years ago, while distilling over nitrite of amyl from amylic alcohol, observed that the vapor, when inhaled, quickened his circulation, and made him feel as if he had been running. There was flushing of his face, rapid action of his. heart, and breathles<mess. In 1861-2 Dr. Bichardson made a carefnl and prolonged study of the action of..this singular body, and discovered that it produced its effect by causing an extreme relaxation first of the blood vessels, and afterwards of the muscular fibres of the body. To such an extent did this agent thus relax that Dr. Bichardson found that it would even overcome the tetanic spasm produced by strychnia, and- having thus discovered its action he ventured to propose its use for removing the spasm in some of the extremest spasmodic diseases. The results, he added, have more than realised his expectations. Under the influence of this agent, one of the most agonising_ of known haman maladies angina pectoris, has been brought under such control that the paroxysms have been regularly prevented, and in one instance at least altogether removed. Even tetanus, or lockjaw, has been subdued by it, and in two instances of an extreme kind so effectually as to warrant the credit of what may be truly called a cure. It is earnestly to be hoped, that further experiment may confirm this good news, and that Dr. Richardson, to whom we already owe the introduction of ether spray as an anaesthetic, may really have vanquished the terrible foe whom he has been combating.— Pall Mall Gazette.