Ergot of Rye is a stimulant to the muscular nerves of the Uterus of the female, but to no other nerves in any marked degree. Borax and Rue possess a similar action, but are not so efficient. When labour is retarded on account of an atony or debility of the Uterine muscle, and when also there is no obstruction or danger which can result from bringing on contraction, Ergot supplies us with a ready and effectual means of doing this. It is also efficacious in cases of uterine hæmorrhage, because the open mouths of the bleeding veins in the wall of the uterus are closed by the contraction which it causes. When given in an over-dose, Ergot has a dangerous action on the brain, producing at some times narcotism, at other times syncope. But this is not the effect for which it is employed, and is altogether distinct from its operation as a Special Stimulant, which is exerted only upon the ganglionic nerves of the muscular uterus. In small doses it produces no other effect than this. Like the other medicines of this order, Ergot is not an excitor of the heart and circulation. Its stimulant action is strictly local in its nature. NARCOTICS. This, the second division of Neurotic medicines, is in one sense intermediate between the other two divisions, but in another sense different from both of them. Narcotics are defined to be medicines which pass from the blood to the nerves or nerve-centres; which act so as first to exalt nervous force, and then to depress it; and have also a special action on the intellectual part of the brain. This primary exaltation of nervous force is produced by some to a very considerable extent, but by others very slightly. Of the three orders into which I have divided Narcotics, which are named from their respective actions upon the brain, Inebriants cause most, and Deliriants least, of this primary stimulation. In the second place, Narcotics depress nervous influence. This depression is not in a direct, but in an inverse ratio to the primary stimulation. The less the one, the greater the other. Thus the depression cannot be considered as the mere re-action from the stimulation, as supposed by Dr. Brown, for then there would be a direct relation between the two effects. But we find that the exhilarating action of Alcohol may often be followed by no manifest depression; and that Belladonna, which scarcely stimulates at all, exerts a very sensible depressing influence. Regarded simply in their action on nervous force generally, the medicines of the first order of Narcotics would approach very nearly to Stimulants, and those of the third order to Sedatives. But Narcotics have all a power which is possessed by neither of the other divisions.