The belladona has been much recommended by Lambergen, who tried it in many cases of cancer; but these trials, when repeated with attention, have not been greatly in favour of the remedy. During its use, he kept the bowels open with clysters, administered every second day. The dose, at first, ought to be a grain of the dried leaves, made into a pill. This, in the beginning, is to be given morning and evening, and afterwards more frequently. The hyocyamus has also been frequently used in cancer, and was very much in repute with the ancients. I have tried it occasionally, but with very little effect. The dose with which we begin, is two grains of the extract. The aconitum is a more powerful and dangerous narcotic, in so much that a quarter of a grain of the extract is generally the dose with which we begin. The solanum dulcamara, Paris quadrifolia, phytolacca, &c. have been likewise recommended and employed, but are now so little used, that it is unnecessary to take any notice of them here[139]. [139] I have tried the hepatized ammonia, but without any benefit. The laurus cerasus is a very powerful narcotic, and has been used, in this particular complaint, by Richter, but with very little success. The most common preparation of this medicine, is the distilled water; but the dose of this is very uncertain. Some have, therefore, proposed to give, for a dose, four or five grains of the fresh leaves infused in a little water. The digitalis has a considerable power of abating vascular action, and may, therefore, be of use, in the same point of view with abstinence, bleeding, &c. in abating the action of schirri; but concerning its real utility in this disease, I cannot say any thing with certainty. Opium is seldom employed with an intention of curing this disease, although it is probable, that it possesses just as much power over cancer, as those other narcotics which have been more frequently used. It is, however, liberally employed with a view to abating the pain of cancerous ulcers. Tonic remedies have frequently been used in this disease; but although they may sometimes improve the general health, yet they never produce any effect upon the local disease. On this account, they are now very seldom employed. Arsenic is a medicine, which has, by some, been considered as a specific against cancer[140]; but even those who maintain this, add, that although they _believe_ and _think_ so, yet they have not been able to administer it in such quantities as to produce any good effect. [140] Justamond on Cancers.