158 DISEASES CLASS II. 1. 1. 9, 



body only are produced; and for a lime the patient becomes re- 

 lieved by the metastasis and elimination of the offending material 

 by sensitive exertion. For a further account of this intricate 

 subject see Class III. 1. 1. 10. 



M. M. To relieve the paroxysm a tea-spoonful of ether may 

 be given mixed with water, with 10 drops of laudanum, to be 

 repeated three or four times. Venesection. An emetic. A 

 blister. Afterwards the Peruvian bark; with a grain of opium 

 at night, and two or three of aloes. A flannel shirt in winter 

 but not in summer. Issues. Digitalis? 



In this species of asthma, there is great reason to believe, that 

 the respiration of an atmosphere, with an increased proportion of 

 oxygen, will prove of great advantage; some well observed and 

 well attested cases of which are published by Dr. Beddoes; as 

 this purer air invigorates the circulation, and the whole system 

 inconsequence, perhaps not only by its stimulus, but by its sup- 

 plying the material from which the sensorial power is extracted 

 or fabricated. In spasmodic asthma, on the contrary, Dr. Fer- 

 riar has found undoubted benefit from an atmosphere mixed with 

 hydrogen. See Sect. XVIII. 15. and Class III. 1.1.10. 



9. Nictilatio sensitiva. Winking of the eyes is performed 

 every minute, without our attention, for the purpose of diffusing 

 the tears over them, which are poured into the eye a little above 

 the external corner of it, and which are afterwards absorbed by 

 the lachrymal points above and below the internal corner of it. 

 When this operation is performed without our attention, it is 

 caused by the faculty of irritation, and belongs to Class I. 1.4. 

 1. but when it is produced by a stronger stimulus of any extra- 

 neous material in the eye, so as to cause pain, the violent and fre- 

 quent nictitation is caused by the faculty of sensation. 



This disease is sometimes produced by the introversion of the 

 edge of the lower eyelid, which bends the points of the hairs of 

 the eyelash upon the ball of the eye, which perpetually stimulate 

 it into painful sensation. This introversion of the eyelid is ge- 

 nerally owing to a tumour of the cellular membrane' below the 

 edge of the eyelid, and though a very troublesome complaint may 

 often be cured by the following simple means. A little common 

 plaster spread on thin linen, about a quarter of an inch long, 

 must be rolled up so as to be about the size of a crow-quill; this 

 must be applied immediately below the eyelash on the outside of 

 the eye, and must be kept on by another plaster over it. This 

 will then act as a slight compression on the tumour under the 

 eyelash, and will prevent the hairs from touching the eyeball. 

 In a week or two the compression will diminish the tumour it 

 lies over, and cure this painful deformity. 



