186 



DISEASES OF THE LUNGS. 



feel no surprise that spasm should seize the diaphragm after 

 such labour as that muscle must have been performing 

 during a severe run with hounds. Mr. Brown's and 

 Mr. Tombs' cases show that it may supervene upon colic^ 

 and upon certain states of the stomach and bowels pro- 

 duced by green diet. In conclusion, the spasm may prove 

 the result of inflammation of the diaphragm. 



The TREATMENT to bc pursucd must be entirely regulated 

 by the nature of the case. Should the case be one of the 

 "over-marked" description, and there be signs of exhaustion 

 and decline of the vital powers, we ought to combine 

 stimulants with our antispasmodics. Incomparably the 

 best antispasmodic is opium ; we should therefore give, im- 

 mediately, either the following ball or the drench: — 



R Opii 



Aramoniae sub-carbonat. 

 Pulv. Anis 



9j 



Syrup. Zingiberis, q. s. M. et Bol. 



R Opii Tinctur ^ 



Spirit. iEther. Nitric. . . . ^ij 



Aquse Tepid Oj 



M. fiat Haust. 



In such a case as this, after re-action appears to have 

 taken place, should the spasm continue, bloodletting can 

 be practised only to save life, should it ever seem requisite; 

 but in a case where exhaustion is not present, blood may 

 be drawn, and the sedative medicine — the opium — either 

 with or without the ammonia and sether, given at the same 

 time. Warm clysters ought to be resorted to ; and, could 

 it be had, a warm bath would be likely to afford great relief. 

 Should the case appear to be anywise connected with colic, 

 I would, above all medicines, give the gripe aperient drench, 

 thus composed : 



R Decoct. Aloes ^j 



Tinct. Opii Jij 



Spiritus yEther. Sulphuric Jiv 



M. fiat Haust. 



This drench must not be repeated. Let either the an- 

 tispasmodic ball or drench be given a second or even a 

 third time, if required, at intervals of three or four hours ; 

 care being taken to keep the bowels soluble by injections. 



