196 APPENDIX. [No. XL 



A more convenient apparatus than the simple one last described may 

 be readily made and advantageously employed. A bottle may be selected, 

 and a cork procured, bored with two holes. Into one a piece of bent glass 

 tube may be inserted, having the other end dilated for the convenience of 

 applying the lips. Into the second hole of the cork a tube should be 

 thrust, within half an inch of the liquid, so that when the patient inhales, 

 the ammonia passing from the liquid tube, is taken into the chest, and this 

 is perhaps to be preferred to drawing the breath itself through the solu- 

 tion of ammonia. 



Though the last apparatus will answer the purpose more or less effi- 

 ciently, I have yet to describe a far more elegant device to be employed as 

 an inhaling apparatus. A two-necked bottle is procured ; into one mouth 

 a tube is adapted, to serve as a mouth-piece. This tube is ground to fit 

 the neck, and when not used is removed for the insertion of a common 

 stopper, that the strength of the ammonia may be preserved. Into the 

 neck another tube is ground, into the inside of which another stopper is 

 fixed. When the inhaler is in operation, this stopper is withdrawn to 

 allow the air to pass into the bottle, but when not wanted it serves to 

 close the apparatus. This inhaler is most admirably adapted for the 

 desired purpose, and perhaps for gaseous inhalations cannot well be sur- 

 passed. The diluted liquor ammonia? is seen at the bottom of the vessel, 

 extending to within half an inch of the tube. 



The vapour inhaled from the liquor ammonise does not seem to pass 

 away immediately, but may be distinctly tasted for some minutes after- 

 wards, even subsequently to the commencement of its beneficial action. 

 The value of the local application of this gas is seen in cases of what is 

 called dryness of the throat, which appears to arise from a deficiency of 

 the secretion of the liquid which normally lubricates the mucous mem- 

 brane. The mucus from that cause becomes dry, and causes much uneasi- 

 ness to the individual. The common and popular remedy of applying 

 haxtshorn and oil to the throat for various affections is probably in great 

 part owing to the inhalation of the vapour of the ammonia, which ne- 

 cessarily at the same time occurs, as it is impossible that this external 

 application can be effected without a large quantity being imbibed at 

 the same time. 



Ammonia gas is also beneficial in chronic hoarseness, especially in 

 that which is often left as a sequela of influenza. This gas affords great 

 relief and comfort to the relaxed, swollen, and apparently semi-cedematous 

 state of the mucous membrane, which supervenes from remaining in 

 crowded, overheated, and ill-ventilated rooms, where every person not 

 only inhales his own breath over and over again, but is under the inflic- 

 tion of breathing his neighbour's also. In cases of incipient cynanche 

 tonsillaris it appears to be of much value if used at the very commence- 

 ment of the attack ; the slight impediment to deglutition, which is gene- 

 rally the first premonitory sign, is sometimes removed by one or two 

 inhalations. 



There are occasionally cases of syphilitic ulceration of the throat 

 witnessed, where the patient suffers from such debility that the prac- 

 titioner is afraid of applying any remedy capable of depressing the system, 

 where the inhalation of the gas might probably be of great service, 



