BLOODWORMS. 153 



judgment, altogether contra-indicated in the case 

 of young persons ; but in adults, if the disease 

 be far advanced, there are considerations which 

 might induce me to give them a trial. I am 

 strongly of opinion that the efforts voluntarily set 

 up by Nature in view of moderating the hsematuria 

 by the formation of plugs at the ulcerated points 

 of the mucous surface where the bleeding occurs 

 are likely to be frustrated by the use of medicated 

 injections ; and I further doubt the policy, on 

 general grounds, of catheterizing the urethra of 

 young persons unless there be the most cogent 

 reasons for taking such a step. Dr. John Harley 

 thinks that " a persevering use of belladonna and 

 henbane would retard the development of the para- 

 site, even if it did not result in its destruction." I 

 do not at all share in that opinion ; but I am free 

 to allow that either of these drugs may be em- 

 ployed with advantage in advanced stages of the 

 hsematuria where a strong sedative or calmative 

 action might be required. On the whole, I think 

 there are good and cogent reasons for recommending 

 less poisonous agents, and I therefore particularly 

 advise the employment of such drugs as are 

 known to exert a special soothing action on the 

 mucous membranes. Not only is buchu a medi- 

 cine which has a remarkable power in allaying 

 vesical irritation and of restraining excessive 

 mucous discharges, but, so far as my experience 



