92 Medical Chemistry. 
in various stages; that in some instances he has seen it in 
common with all other remedies, completely fail, and the 
unhappy patients pursue their downward progress to the 
grave: that on the contrary, in a great number of instances, 
-he has seen a sensible amelioration in the most distressing 
symptoms ; the cough has become less frequent ; the ex- 
pectoration more free, and the sleep more prolonged. 
“It is s Dr. Magendie,) with satisfaction easily un- 
daha. that. 1 have seen the symptoms of phthisis com- 
a cease in oct (seven ?) different circumstances ; in 
m four to six years, in a young woman of 
fifteen, in Dodie of twenty, in a young man of twenty five, 
and im an old man of sixty-six ; and it is with the most anx- 
ious solicitude, that I have waited their state of health, for 
the purpose of learning, whether the evil is really arrested, 
or only suspended in its progress. Time only can decide; 
{ can only say that the two ladies whose cases were reported 
in my first memoir, and whose cure is of four years stand- 
ing, continue to enjoy perfect health.” 
ith respect to the dose, Dr. Magendie remarks, that as 
the effect of the prussic acid is very different in different in 
dividuals, - is necessary to begin with a modera te: doles ; 
but seep Set in in it provided its effects 
collecting the acid in a cold receiver. This acid is to bi 
diluted with six times its volume or eight and a half times 
its weight of distilled water. 
Remark. As the preparation of the acid of Gay Lussac 
is — without danger to the operator, on account of its ter- 
energy, even in aa it is presume that having once 
ascertained how much of Gay Lussac’s acid, a given w: 
of Prussiate of Mercury will afford, it will be Aes to 
place at once in the receiver, pevatt and a half parts of water 
and thus obtain a diluted and much less dangerous acid. 
I have found very unpleasant effects even from breathing 
the vapour of the prussic acid when I have prepared it after 
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