1897 THE MICROSCOPE. 125 
thol succeeded better at others. The inhalations are 
very destructive to the parasites. 
If the sputa is examined before the first inhalation, and 
then again after it, a remarkable difference will be obser- 
ved in the condition of the parasites. Before inhalation 
they are in active motion; after it, if thoroughly done, 
they will nearly all be found either dead or motionless. 
By inhaling at short intervals and thoroughly, one leaves 
no chance for the parasites to get numerous; and soon 
the follicles become permeated with the inhaled material 
and the exciting cause is destroyed. 
In addition to the local application a cure is much more 
speedily accomplished if a general treatment is instituted 
looking to an improvement of the general health, Tonic 
medicines, such as quinine arseniate, phosphate of iron, 
ete., etc., should be used. 
Many of these attacks may be aborted in twenty-four 
hours, if the nature of the disease is promptly recognized 
and is properly treated. If the disease be not recognized 
and is allowed to run its course unchecked, the treatment 
being applied to the accompanying symptoms and lesions, 
it will last a month. Sometimes these infusorial organ- 
isms invade the vesicles of the lungs, producing an 
inflammatory action there. This disease becomes epi- 
demic at certain times and seasons, being doubtless 
favored by certain conditions of the atmosphere, while it 
is capable of being spread abroad at any time by the breath 
and the secretion of the afflicted individuals. I have had 
the disease myself during mid-summer. It is most preva- 
lent, however, during the spring and fall months. Cold 
is very destructive to the parasites. 
Cats.—A new element has been introduced into the prob- 
lem of the origin of our cats by the discovery in Brazil of a 
tortoise-shell wild cat, of which the late Professor Cope 
had the only known museum specimen. 
