191 



III. Natural History. 



§ Medicine, Sfc. 



1. Remedy for Bronchocele. — ^The BiUioth^que Universelley 

 for July 1820, contains a paper by Dr. Coindet, on a new 

 remedy for the goitre, which, from his experience, appears to 

 be very effectual. From the circumstance that burnt sponge 

 formed the basis of all successful remedies as yet used for this 

 disease, Dr. Coindet considered that iodine might be the parti- 

 cular substance that was useful ; and, in consequence, applied 

 it in difterent forms. One preparation was a solution of forty- 

 eight grains of hydriodate of potassa, equivalent to thirty-six 

 grains of iodine, in an ounce of water. 



Sometimes iodine is dissolved in this solution, to increase the 

 force of the remedy in very difficult cases. 



Another preparation, called tincture of iodine, was made by 

 dissolving forty-eight grains of iodine in an ounce of alcohol of 

 35 (S. G. 842). 



The quantity for an adult was ten drops of one of these pre- 

 parations, in half a glass of syrup of capillaire and water, taken 

 early in the morning, fasting ; a second dose was given at ten 

 o'clock ; and a third in the evening, or at bed-time. At the end 

 of the first week, fifteen drops were given in place of ten, three 

 times a day ; and, in a few days after, when the effect seemed 

 evident on the tumours, it was increased to twenty drops. This 

 quantity has rarely been increased, and was generally sufficient 

 to dissipate the larges goitrest. 



After about eight days* treatment the skin becomes less tense, 

 and apparently thicker. The tumour softens, as becomes evi- 

 dent to the touch; the goitreous tumours, if there are several, 

 become more distinct and separate ; they soften and gradually 

 dissolve. In many cases the nucleus, or part which is orga- 

 nically deranged, becomes harder, diminished in size, and 

 isolated ; sometimes they become moveable; a circumstance 

 of great advantage in those cases where an operation is ne- 

 cessary. 



In some cases the cellular structure, which pervaded the tu- 



