PLEUKISY. 651 



dition is cliaractensed by languor, prostration of strength, apnise 

 standing about eighty, with scanty secretion of higli-coloured 

 virine, a continued elevation of the bodily temperature, capri- 

 ciousness of the appetite, and a respiratory embarrassment. 



From the tenth to the fourteenth day after attack, the above 

 symptoms being present, the application of the mustard liniment, 

 and succeeding warm fomentations to the sides, promotes the ab- 

 sorption of exuded materials, stimulates the system generally, 

 and increases the excretion of effete materials from the economy, 

 evidenced by diuresis, improvement of pulse and respiratory 

 movement, and a rapidity of convalescence, which otherwise 

 could not have been established. In thus applying the cutane- 

 ous stimulants care must be taken that their effects do not 

 exceed that of stimulation or gentle irritation ; if the appli- 

 cation be sufficiently strong to induce soreness of the sides, 

 it is calculated to do harm, not only by increasing the pain, but 

 also by exaggerating the adynamic or typhoid condition. In no 

 instance where resolution is progressing satisfactorily should 

 this treatment be applied. 



The colchicum, as recommended for pneumonia, may ad- 

 vantageously be administered in combination with iodide of 

 potassium, or the vegetable or mineral tonics, as the case may 

 be, when absorption and excretion of the inflammatory pro- 

 ducts are not progressing satisfactorily. When debility and 

 anfemia are associated symptoms, I have found the salts of 

 iron, more especially the tincture of the terchloride, to have 

 a marked effect in promoting the absorption of the inflamma- 

 tory products, fluid and solid. I have a far higher opinion 

 of the effects of iron salts than of iodine or iodide of potassium. 

 The practitioner is, however, at liberty to combine the iodine 

 with the iron. 



Paracentesis Thoracis. — In all cases where effusion is excessive, 

 no time should be lost in giving relief to the symptoms of dis- 

 tress by the operation of tapping. I do not mean to advocate 

 early tapping in cases of effusion, being strongly of opinion 

 that absorption of the fluid is calculated to save more lives than 

 its evacuation ; but when danger to life is imminent from its 

 excessive quantity, the operation should never be delayed until 

 prostration and debility are associated with the dyspnoea. The 

 most successful method of performing paracentesis thoracis is by 



