FEBRIFUGE. 



was often succeeded by a state ol habitual 

 asthma, for several weeks, in which gal- 

 vanism gave immediate l)ut temporary re- 

 lief. 



Of the above cases of habitual asthma, 

 many occurred in the work-people of the 

 town where I reside, who had been oblig- 

 ed to abandon their employments in con- 

 sequence of it, and some of them from its 

 long continuance, witiiout any hope of re- 

 turning to their regular work. Most of 

 them had tried the usual means in vain. 

 By the use of galvanism they were re- 

 lieved in different degrees, but all suffi- 

 ciently to be restored to their employ- 

 ments. I have seen several of them lately, 

 who although they have not used the gal- 

 vanism for some months, said they had 

 continued to work without any inconve- 

 nience. Some, in whom the disease had 

 been wholly removed, remain quite free 

 from it; some have had a return of it, and 

 have derived the same advantage from the 

 galvanism as at first. 



I have confined the application to asth- 

 matic dyspnoea. I think there is reason 

 to believe, from the experiments which 

 have been laid before the reader, that in 

 inflammatory cases it would be injurious, 

 and in cases arising from dropsy, or any 

 other mechanical impediment, little or 

 nothing, it is evident, is to be expected 

 from it. 



Habitual asthma is often attended with 

 a languid slate of the biliary system, and 

 some fulness and tenderness on pressure 

 near the pit of the stomach. If the last 

 is considerable, it must be relieved previ- 

 ous to the use of the galvanism. In a pa- 

 per which the Medico-C^hirurgical Society 

 did me the honour to publish in the se- 

 venth volume of their transactions, I have 

 endeavoured to show that a species of 

 pulmonary consumption arises from a dis- 

 ease of the digestive organs, many of the 

 observations there made apply to certain 

 cases of asthma.* 



I believe to cases of every species of 

 this disease, but particularly of that we are 

 here considering, many cases of habitual 

 asthma will yield to the means recom- 

 mended in the above paper; but I have 

 learned from a pretty extensive experi- 

 ence, that a large majority of such cases 



will resist them: yet readily admit of re- 

 lief from galvanism. If there is little 

 tendency to inflammation, galvanism 

 seems also to be a means of relieving the 

 affection of the digestive organs. I have 

 repeatedly seen from it the same effect on 

 the biliary system which arises from calo- 

 mel; a copious bilious discharge from the 

 bowels, coming on within a few days after 

 its employment. This seldom happens' 

 except where there appears to have been 

 a failure in the secretory power of the 

 liver, or a defective action in the gall 

 tubes. 



I have not found that the presence even 

 of a severe cough, which is common in 

 habitual asthma, in which there is always 

 more or less cough, counter-indicates of 

 the use of galvanism. 



( To be continued.) 



PROCESS RECOMMENDED FOR THE CURE OF 

 CANCHR. 



Ashes of red oak bark boiled down to 

 the consistence of molasses, and cover the 

 cancer with it. In about an hour after- 

 wards cover it with a plaster of tar, vvhich 

 must be removed after a few days ; and 

 if any protuberance remain in the wound, 

 apply more pot ash and the plaster again, 

 until this shall disappear. 



* See the observations on the state of these organs 

 in asthma, in Ur. Bree's work on this disease. 



From the Repertory of Arts. 



Febrifuge discovered by M. Armond 

 Sequin, is Gelatine^ taken the moment 

 the cold fit begins to be felt. The patient 

 should be well covered and take no vio- 

 lent exercise. Keep his room on the day 

 of the paroxysm, abstain as much as pos« 

 sible from liquid food of all kinds, and 

 from fruits, spices, and spirtuous liquors; 

 live principally on thick soups and meat 

 of the best quality boiled or preferably 

 roasted; and above all, drink extremely 

 little however thirsty he may be. Eat 

 moderately. Taken also morning aqd 

 evening while the fever lasts, and even for 

 a certain time after it is over. Eat nothing 

 for an hour after the cessation of the 

 paroxysm, or an hour after the applica- 

 tion of the remedy, if it is taken in the 

 intermission. The patient must not coun- 

 teract the sweats. Children under 1 year 

 from 24 grains to 1 dram at an applica- 

 tion ; from 1 to 3 years, from 48 grains 

 to 2 drams; from 3 to 7 years, from 1 to 



