[ 4i8 ) 



XIV. Fifth Communication from Dr. Thornton, Phyfiaan 



to the General Difpenfarjy, relative to Pneumatic Medicine. 



A CASE OF ST. ANTONY'S FIRE CURED BY VITAL AIR. 



M, 



.ISS GOUDY, jet. 18, living No. 171, High-ftreet, 

 Shadwell, had been fubjeft to occasional attacks of this dif- 

 eafe for eight years paft. In one attack, forae years ago, a 

 fkin formed over the right eye, which was removed by 

 a cauftic powder blown into it by order of Mr. Sharp, and 

 fight was reftored in about a month : this eye has, however, 

 fince been fubjccT: to become inflamed upon the leaft cold, 

 when the face enlarges prodigioufly, looks red as fire, with 

 intenfe burning. She had taken a great quantity of medi- 

 cine under Meflrs. Young, Ward, Evans, &c. without any 

 marked advantage, previous to her parents making application 

 to me. When I faw her, her right eye was much inflamed, 

 and the upper lips and cheeks were tumefied in a frightful 

 degree. It was a new cafe, that required much consideration. 

 Were the veflels in a ftate of inflammation from tone, or 

 from debility ? Examining the arms I found them remark- 

 ably blue and mottled, the feet were always uncommonly 

 cold, the appetite craving, or elfe none, very flatulent, great 

 diftention of the abdomen at times, and a tendency to chlo- 

 rofis. The pulfe fmal 1, and quick. I accordingly ordered 

 the fuper-oxygenated air, November 27, 17^8, gradually 

 augmenting its power. Memorandum — December 4, Feeta 

 always a great glow ofer the whole body, after inhaling the 

 vital air. Inflammation of the eye gone. I ordered a fe- 

 lon in the neck, to hinder a relapfe, by its inviting the blood 

 to a neighbouring part, and fetting up a new action : and with- 

 out fear I now purfued the tonic, and ftimulant plan, viz. bark, 

 myrrh, and ft eel, and a fuper-oxygenated air * ; and my fair 

 patient was foon perfectly cured, and continues fo, I am happy 

 t'j fay, to this day. 



* The proportion was generally fix q.uarts vital air mixed with twenty 

 of an op! eric. 



INTEL- 



