Veratrum viride and hexamethonium in the treatment of severe diastolic hypertension.

e URING the past year we have been studying the effects of an intensive treatment program in a group of severe hypertensive patients who could be followed closely for prolonged periods. These patients were made available through the cocperation of Georgetown University, Mount Alto and Gallinger Municipal Hospitals, our own outpatient clinic at Georgetown University Hospital, and by referral of private patients by interested practicing physicians. ,411 of the patients in this study have been selected on the basis of severity and almost all have been hospitalized for a period of preliminary observation and for institution of therapy. The majority of cases exhibited elevations of dias-