OBESITY. 423 



of zinc pills (Pr. 66) should be given every night at bed-time, until the sweating 

 ceases. This is a mode of treatment which has been in use for years at the Brompton 

 and other hospitals for consumption. 



Dover's powder is a remarkably good remedy. "We usually give ten grains 

 every night at bed-time. We have employed it in a large number of cases, and 

 have rarely known it fail. Five grains of the powder may be made into a pill, and 

 two of these may be given at bed-time. 



The injection of atropia under the skin usually proves successful We employ 

 a solution made by dissolving one grain of atropia in two hundred minims of water, 

 and then inject one or two drops of this at bed-time under the skin of the arm. It 

 is a valuable remedy in the hands of any one who knows how to give a hypo- 

 dermic injection. We have employed it in nearly a hundred instances, and with 

 almost uniform success. Very often a single injection will stop the sweating for 

 three or four nights, or even longer. Occasionally it fails the first night, but sub- 

 sequently succeeds. The atropia not unfrequently relieves the cough at all events, 

 temporarily. Picrotoxine is another good remedy. One of the picrotoxine pills 

 (Pr. 102) should be taken at bed-time, and another may be taken in the early 

 morning if necessary. 



A dose of the astringent mixture (Pr. 29) given at bed-time often does good ; but 

 we are inclined to think that it is inferior to the remedies we have already indicated. 



A two table-spoonful dose of the strong quinine mixture (Pr. 10) the last thing 

 before going to bed often succeeds admirably. 



The practice of sponging the body with vinegar and water at bed-time to prevent 

 sweating is not a bad one, and often proves successful. It is rather more trouble- 

 some than simply taking a pill or dose of medicine, and the exposure may possibly 

 give the patient cold. 



In some instances we have given ten drops of tincture of jaborandi in water at 

 bed-time, with manifest advantage. 



Many doctors, regarding the sweating as an indication of debility, always order a 

 light supper to be taken just before retiring to rest. A glass of port wine and a 

 biscuit or two usually answers the purpose. This mode of treatment may be used in 

 conjunction with one or other of the specific remedies. Nine times out of ten relief 

 will be obtained from either the oxide of zinc pills or the Dover's powder. 



OBESITY. 



By obesity we mean excessive fatness, or the accumulation of fat under the skin, 

 and around some of the internal organs, to such an extent as to exercise a prejudicial 

 influence on the health or comfort of the individual. The term corpulence is usually 

 restricted to slighter cases, in which the quantity of fat is not so great as to cause 

 positive inconvenience or discomfort. 



A moderate amount of fat is one of the signs of health, and conduces greatly 

 to our comfort and well-being. The uses of this substance in the animal economy 

 are many and various, and merit a brief consideration. In the first place, it serves 

 the merely mechanical purpose of a light, soft, and elastic packing material, which 



