A matter of some consequence is the opinion of M. Regnault respecting the comparative activity of various preparations of digitaline. In his preface to the seventh edition of Soubeiran’s _Traité de Pharmacie_, this author remarks on the serious difference which exists between various samples of so-called digitaline. He declares that he finds himself driven to employ exclusively the _granules_ of Hornolle and Quevenne. Under the head of digitalis also we may notice the employment, by MM. Dumesnil and Lailler, of a combination of opium (in the form of _extrait gommeux_) with tincture of digitalis. This appears, according to the authors, to have a calming effect upon the excitement and sleeplessness of insane patients, with less tendency, at the same time, to congestive effects than is the case when opium is given alone. They say that not merely does it produce better immediate effects, but that it can be more harmlessly continued after the original excitement has calmed down than other narcotics. But they remark that as digitalis, in therapeutic doses at least, has a well-known tendency to wear out the susceptibility of the organism for it, it is best to suspend its use as soon as may be. Two formulas are employed by the author:— POTION NO. 1. Extrait gommeux d’opium ⅓ grain. Tincture of digitalis 7½ minims. Syrup 1 ounce. Distilled water 5 ounces. POTION NO. 2. Extrait gommeux d’opium ⅔ grain. Tincture of digitalis 15 minims. Syrup 1 ounce. Distilled water 5 ounces. According to circumstances, the stronger or the weaker of these two prescriptions is the allotted potion for twenty-four hours. We have recounted all this gravely, but must not be expected to preserve our gravity to the last. Not even the respected name of M. Dumesnil can keep down an irresistible tendency to laugh when we are seriously told that 7½ minims of tincture of digitalis, taken in two separate doses in the course of twenty-four hours, will avert the mischievous excitement which might otherwise be caused by ⅓ grain of extract of opium similarly distributed! That neither potion No. 1 nor potion No. 2 can be considered a dangerous narcotic we quite allow; but we fancy that must be because there is so little opium in either of them, not because there is so much digitalis. In fact, if we might be allowed to make a delicate suggestion to our therapeutical brethren of _Outre-mer_, it is, that just now they are going the least bit in the world crazy over digitalis and its wonderful properties. However, we have nothing but praise for such researches as those of MM. Oulmont and Hirtz, already noticed in these pages.