SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 463 



in the first stage of it, and especially when that is attended with 

 fever and difficulty of breathing, opium has always appeared to 

 me very hurtful ; but when the disease has subsisted for some 

 time, and is in what I call its second stage, and when the fits 

 come most frequently in the night time, I have found opium of 

 great use ; and, as I judge, it has often contributed to put an end 

 to the disease. M.M. 



If hemlock has proved a remedy in this disease, as we must 

 believe from Dr. Butter's accounts, I agree with that author, 

 that it is to be considered as an antispasmodic. Upon this sup- 

 position, it is a probable remedy ; and from the accounts of Dr. 

 Butter, and some others, it seems to have been often useful : 

 but in our trials it has often disappointed us, perhaps from the 

 preparation of it not having been always proper. 



u The pulegium (pennyworth) has been considered as an an- 

 tispasmodic, and of particular use in the chincough ; but in 

 many trials of it, I have not found it of any service ; and, on the 

 contrary, like every other heating medicine, have found it hurt- 

 ful.M.M. 



MCCCCXXV. Of the tonics, I consider the cup moss, for- 

 merly celebrated, as of this kind ; as also the bark of the mistle- 

 toe ; but I have had no experience of either, as I have always 

 trusted to the Peruvian bark. I consider the use of this me- 

 dicine as the most certain means of curing the disease in its se- 

 cond stage ; and when there has been little fever present, and a 

 sufficient quantity of the bark has been given, it has seldom 

 failed of soon putting an end to the disease. 



" When the disease is yet recent, and the contagion perhaps 

 still acting, it is often hurtful ; but when the disease is more ad- 

 vanced, and the force of the contagion is probably gone, and the 

 disease continues by the force of habit only, I am pretty certain 

 that the bark will then soon put an end to it, providing only that 

 no congestion has been formed or continues in the lungs. M. M. 



" It is common to employ in this disease, a variety of pector- 

 als ; squills and ammoniac therefore have been frequently used ; 

 but as far as I can observe, both are rather hurtful than health- 

 ful. Squills are emetics, and it is probable that like the sulphur 

 auratum antimonii and the tartar emetic, they may be useful as 

 such ; but it is difficult to exhibit them to children in that quan- 



