[ 357 ] 



LVI. Thirty-first Communication from Dr. Thornton. 

 relative to Pneumatic Medicine. 



To Mr. Tilloch. 



No. 138, Leadenhall Street. 

 DEAR SIR, Sept. 1:0, 1S06. 



J. have the honour to inclose you the following very inter- 

 esting case, proving the efficacy of the vital air. 



Case of Loss of Voice cured by vital Air. 

 Miss Norton, a very amiable young lady, daughter of a 

 culler in Fish-Street Hill, London Bridge, from a severe 

 cold lost the use of her voice ; and notwithstanding much 

 m d ."i! assistance, she continued in that state upwards of a 

 year and a half. She could not be heard except by the closest 

 attention ; and spoke as in the lowest whisper. Her general 

 health was somewhat impaired, but her lungs seemed unaf- 

 fected. I ordered her bark, and zinc, with valerian, and 

 the inhalation of the vital air, a gallon a-day, diluted with 

 five of common air. This plan was continued a month 

 without any sensible alteration. No warmth was felt after 

 the inhalation, no alteration as to appetite; in short, no 

 sensible difference, and the aphonia continued as before the 

 application. [ requested, therefore, to see the young lady 

 inhale the super-oxygenated air myself. By mistaking the 

 orders delivered for using the pneumatic apparatus, I found 

 she had only been inhaling common air, and I pointed out 

 to her the mistake. The same medicines were continued; 

 and at once the benefit was perceptible to every one. In a 

 few days the voice recovered its powers ; the appetite was 

 increased ; a peculiar glow was felt ; and in a fortnight this 

 lady was completely restored, and has since remained cured 

 upwards of six months. 



Observation* on litis Case by Dr. Thornton. 



1. The loss of voice is a disease tliat usually resists all 

 common means made use of; therefore, here the vital air is 

 ■j deiideratum, 



A a 3 Th 



