CLASS 1. 2. 3. 12. OF IRRITATION. 81 



lated, it is generally fatal. As by stimulating one branch of 

 lymphatics into inverted motion, another branch is liable to ab- 

 sorb its fluid more hastily; suppose strong errhines, as common 

 tobacco snuff to children, or one grain of turpeth mineral, 

 (hydrargyrus vitriolatus,) mixed with ten or fifteen grains of su- 

 gar, were gradually blown up the nostrils? See Class I. 3. 2. 1. 

 I have tried common snuff upon two children in this disease; 

 one could not be made to sneeze, and the other was too near death 

 to receive advantage. When the mercurial preparations have 

 produced salivation, I believe they may have been of service, but 

 I doubt their good effect otherwise. In one child I tried the 

 tincture of digitalis; but it was given with too timid a hand, 

 and too late in the disease, to determine its effects. See Sect. 

 XXIX. 5. 9. 



As all the above remedies generally fail of success, I think 

 frequent, almost hourly, shocks of electricity from very small 

 charges might be passed through the head in all directions with 

 probability of goocl event; as by Volta's rods of zinc and silver 

 described in Class I. 2. 5. 5. A solution of hydrargyrus muria- 

 tus, corrosive sublimate of mercury in rectified spirit of wine, 

 three grains to an ounce, is said to produce instantaneous and' 

 violent salivation; as described in Class II. 1. 5. 1. on Gonor- 

 rhoea. Could a small quantity of this violent stimulus be 

 used according to the age of the child with probable good ef- 

 fect? Could the trephine be used with safety or advantage 

 where the affected side can be distinguished? See Strabismus, 

 Class I. 2. 5. 4. When one eye is affected, does the disease ex- 

 ist in the ventricle of that side? 



The following extract from a letter of Dr. Beddoes on hydro- 

 cephalus internus, is well worthy to be attended to. 



" Master L , aged 9 years, became suddenly ill in the 



night about a week before I saw him. On the day before the 

 attack, he had taken opening medicines, and had bathed after- 

 wards. He had complained of violently acute pain in his head, 

 shrieked frequently, ground his teeth hard, could not bear to 

 have his head raised from the pillow, and was torpid or 

 deaf. His tongue was white, pulse 110 in the evening and full. 

 As yet the pupil of the eye was irritable, and he had no strabis- 

 mus. He had been bled with leeches about the head, and blister- 

 ed. I directed mercurial inunction, and calomel from 3 to 6 grains 

 to be taken at first every six, and afterwards every three hours. 

 This plan produced no sensible effect, and the patient died on 

 the 18th day after the seizure. He had convulsion-fits two days 

 preceding his death, and the well-known symptoms of hydro- 

 cephalus internus all made their appearance. From what I had 



