512 ASTHMA. 



thermometer, is well marked. When cough is at all trouble- 

 some, small patches or pellets of rather thick mucus are dis- 

 charged from the nose, or found clinging to the nasal mem- 

 brane. The chest, viewed as a whole, shows fixidity of position, 

 with increased movement of the abdominal muscles. In its 

 course this spasmodic condition is rather erratic — it may 

 continue for a few days or extend to weeks ; and although it 

 may disappear, not to return for a considerable time, there are 

 often seen cases where it slides imperceptibly into that per- 

 sistent state of peculiar disturbance of respiration known as 

 ' broken-wind,' which, being now continuous, may yet be en- 

 croached upon at any period by a recurrence of the previous 

 acute dyspncea, to again subside into the persistent state of 

 steady impairment of pulmonary nerve-power. 



Treatment. — In this particular it is found that the condition 

 which we have regarded as asthma is more unlike that with 

 which we believe it has often been mixed up, viz., ' broken- 

 wind,' than in many other points. The former, characterized by 

 paroxysmal dyspnoea, and, as we believe, spasmodic contraction 

 of the minute air-tubes, when receiving benefit from medicinal 

 agents, which is not often, seems more directly under the 

 influence of agents which are of questionable value in the other. 

 The chief of these are stimulant anti-spasmodics, sedatives, and 

 depresso-motor agents, as mixtures and compounds of valerian, 

 aethers, bromides, chloroform, amyl, belladonna, etc. In the use of 

 these agents it is often found that what has been productive of 

 good in one animal will not be equally beneficial in another 

 apparently similarly affected ; and that ere any good results 

 from treatment are obtained several remedies may have to be 

 tested. With many, when much distressed from the dyspnoea, 

 I have found as much good from a mild laxative, in conjunc- 

 tion with a smart vesicant to the sides, as from aught else. 



