Tenth Comniunkiillon from Dr. Thornton. l/a 



great, that it was visible to every one who noticed the altera- 

 tion in my looks, and my increase of strength. So tar from 

 requiring assistance, I was enabled to walk out above a mile. 

 Instead of living upon vegetable I could take animal food, 

 which my stomach did not reject. Smells had no longer 

 any effect on my voice ; so that after nine months, con- 

 tinuing the use of the vital air, I went to Hartlepool. The 

 sea air continued on the benelit ; but after six w eeks ab- 

 sence, thinking I could do without the vital air, upon mv 

 return home 1 omitted taking the air, and was relapsing 

 into my former weak state : but all the bad svmptoms went 

 off upon my resuming again the vital air, which has now- 

 been continued with the same advantage above a twelve-' 

 •jnonih.'^ 



Olaervat'iops on this Case, Inj Dr. Thorntox. 



This almost miraculous* effect from vital ah- furnishc^- 

 anany curious reflections. 



1. The disoxygenalio)!, or want of vital air in the blood', 

 was shown by tUa sal/oiciicss of the complexion, and I'liie^ 

 ness of the extremities ; their coldness ; the torpor of the 

 bowels ; want of energy m the nerves of the stomach, and 

 total loss of muscular powers, without paralysis^ 



2. The disappearance gradually of all these syniptomsjv 

 >\hich had existed upwards of thirteen years, iVoni the in- 

 halation of a svpero.rygcnated air, proves, or seems to prove, 

 in the strongest manner the powerful influence of vital air* 

 on the animal oeconomv. The complcxioii became clear ; the 

 check acquired its vermilion; \.\\\^ Jingers no longer appeared 

 blue; a general ivarmtli was difl'used; the stomach digested 

 animal food; the ioueis performed their daily office with- 

 out the aid of medicine (before, they used to be suffered to 

 go unrelieved eight or ten days, as the mildest puroativc* 

 produced always dreadful swoonings) ; the muscles ac- 

 quired their energy, and the nerves their infiuence. Na 

 other medicine was employed here but tincture of Colombo^ 

 which had before been long uselessly exhibited. 



* 01(1 Dr. George Forc^yce used to say, speaking of the faaitious airs, 

 *• As to us, zue don't perform viiracles." I might have said. Nor do tht 

 fncumaiic physiciuns : they recoid upon the p.ccrcditcd tcstimoiiv of otht- u 

 the effects said to be felt, and ijy mulriplving similar evidences they ;;ic 

 Tti hopes /7«(j//i' of settling Icgiiur.me conjitsiuiti. 1 hey esteem it as the 

 fanest plan to record what they arc told, and leave to others to disprove 

 «r a|)prove, by m:)king iheiTiselves trials und;T somawlut timilar cir- 

 'Cumsunces. They reckon this science still is .n its inf,incy, and would 

 wish to see it advance bv the cor.ibincd tlliorts of uiany practitioner?, 

 (rittiJ^ ti> jcicnce-aiid mink.j;iU. 



3. That 



