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XXIX. Tenth Comnmnicatlon from Dr. Thornton. 

 To Mr. Tilloch. 



sm No. !, Minde-street, Manchester- square, 



.^ Nov 20. 1803. 



JT KOM the inclosed case you will find that the cause of 

 i'neumatic medicine is not abandoned by me, as has been 

 circulated ; nor are its virtues less effectual now, than 

 when I first commenced itr, application in the year 1792. 

 The inclosed case I have no doubt you will think with me 

 is a very striking instance of the superior efficacy of vital air 

 in removing a load of disease supposed incurable, such as 

 seldom falls to the lot of humanity. It is published, like the 

 luany others I have before given to the world, at the express 

 tlesire of the patient, in order to extend, as far as our weak 

 but anxious endeavours can avail, the blessings of this in- 

 estimable and truly philosophic remedy ; and is brought for- 

 ward, I solemnly assure you, bv me, not for any individual 

 advantaa;e, but to rouse my medical brethren to make trial 

 of similar means in cases that appear to be adapted to its 

 application, and which might otherwise remain incurable. 



Case of Miss Margaret Gorst. 



This amiable young lady, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Gorst, 

 rector of Marton and Kirbythore, near Appleby, in the 

 North of England, had naturally a most excellent state of 

 health. Her eldest sister taking cold fell into a decline; 

 and constantly attending upon her, and sleeping along 

 with her, previous to her death, gave the first shock to her 

 constitution. Going after this upon a very hot summer's 

 day into some lead mines possessed by her father at Dnftoa 

 Fell, she was struck with the damps ; and at the early age of 

 seventeen commenced her martyrdom to disease. Her appe- 

 tite forsook her, she had constant pain on the left side, felt 3 

 continual lassitude, palpitation of the heart, and the feet to- 

 Avards evening would frequently swell. The d\spepsia in- 

 creased to that degree that all animal food was loathed, and 

 when taken rejected ; and, in consequence, her support was 

 obliged to consist wholly of vegetable food. Her limbs 

 were cold to the touch, and appeared blue even in the midst 

 of summer. Her nerves were in that depressed state, that 

 the smell of a candle badly snuffed, or a noseuav introduced 

 into the room, or even melted scali.ig-wax, would instantlv 

 take away her voice, so that no one could hCar her. If a 

 door was suddenly opened, or from any unexpected noi^e, 



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