CASE OF SARCINA VENTRICULI. 355 



I now determined to give creosote, from a belief that it 

 would not only act, as the prussic acid had done, in preventing 

 the ejection of the fluid, but that it would also put a stop to 

 its formation. This I conceived it would do, whether the 

 disease arose from a simple fermentation of the contents of 

 the stomach, or from the development of the organisms as a 

 primary cause. 



A drop of creosote was ordered every night at bed-time. 

 Supper was forbidden ; a very light dinner of animal food 

 was recommended, and breakfast indicated as the principal 

 meal. Cessation of his somewhat sedentary habits, active 

 country exercise on foot and horseback, and attention to the 

 bowels were insisted upon. 



A decided improvement now took place. The attacks, 

 instead of recurring almost every morning, now took place 

 only on the fifth or sixth morning, and latterly at intervals of 

 eight or ten days. The fluid ejected also diminished in quan- 

 tity, not exceeding six or eight ounces. 



The attacks again increased slightly in frequency, and in 

 quantity of fluid ejected, but this was at once controlled by a 

 gradual increase of the dose to four drops at bed-time. It 

 also appeared advisable to divide the dose, so as to take two 

 drops in the forenoon and three or four about one hour and 

 a4ialf after dinner, so as to stop the formation of the fluid. 

 This effect my patient felt satisfied the creosote produced, as 

 the bubbling or crackling sensation in the stomach usually 

 ceased after taking his dose. 



The bowels were now acted upon rather smartly, so as to 

 promote the action downwards from the stomach. 



At the present date I have it not in my power to state 

 that the complaint is removed, although the attacks are much 

 less frequent, and the quantity of fluid diminished. The 

 creosote, however, has a most decided control over it, and will, 

 I am inclined to believe, ultimately cure it. The disease, 



