PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE BROMIDE OF AMMONIUM. 85 
nium resembles the potassium salt, the following experiments will determine. 
Huette’s experiments with the latter show well its influence upon various 
parts of the mucous tract, although he says nothing about the skin; M. 
Rames, however, observed an instance wherein the skin was so completely 
insensible that its puncture with a needle was not felt, and tickling of the 
conjunctiva or fauces with a feather produced neither winking nor desire to 
yomit*, 
Jt was soon apparent in my own experiments with the bromide of ammo- 
nium that the entire mucous tract could be greatly influenced for good or 
for evil, according to the desire of the physiologist. And yet with proper 
care and judgment, we are furnished with an agent in this salt that promises 
to be of immense benefit to suffering humanity in many obscure and hereto- 
fore intractable diseases. 
Experiment 1.—A man aged 27, in robust health, was given half a drachm 
of the bromide of ammonium in an ounce of water, with a little syrup, every 
four hours. The first dose was given at eight, the next at twelve, the third 
at four, and the fourth at eight p.w. Nothing unusual was observed at 
night beyond an alteration in the sense of taste. Next day the dose was 
continued, and the taste gradually diminished until, at night, there was com- 
plete loss of it, and insensibility of the throat and fauces. The application 
of metallic or other substances was not felt, and apparently anything could 
have been done with the individual. The sense of smell was affected; the 
nose, however, did possess some sensation, and also the conjunctive. The 
mucous membrane was pale, watery, and not congested. Although taste 
was gone, he felt he had a tongue, and could swallow as usual, for the 
muscles retained their contractile power. Nothing else was specially ob- 
served, and in three days all the natural functions were restored, and sensa- 
tion was quite regained. 
Exp. 2.—The same experiment was repeated with the bromide of potassium 
in another man aged 32; and beyond some amount of nausea, slight head- 
ache, and very slight impairment of sensation and taste, nothing further was 
observed. 
Exp.3.—A man aged 37, in good health, with the exception of chronic 
hoarseness, was ordered half a drachm of the bromide of ammonium three 
times a day; this was regularly taken for three days, in all nine doses, equal 
to four and a half drachms. On the fourth day, although sensation was 
blunted, it was not absent, for the man had had a bilious attack just before 
commencing the salt, followed by vomiting. I now gave him thirty grains on 
the spot, and ordered two other similar quantities during the afternoon. 
These latter he did not take; nevertheless I succeeded in passing a little 
instrument into his windpipe with comparatively little or no sensation until 
it touched the epiglottis, when it was at once rejected. I now ordered him 
four doses of half a drachm each for the next day, beginning at three p.m, so 
that on the morning after he would have just swallowed the fourth before 
coming to me. This he did most punctually; and when he was examined, 
there was complete anesthesia of the mucous membrane of the fauces, nose, 
eyes, and eyelids. He had little or no taste, and no sensation in swallowing 
food, impaired smell, looked a little pale, but otherwise said he was well. 
Several times were instruments passed into the larynx without sensation, 
until they touched the epiglottis, and reflex action compelled their with- 
drawal. He was now given chloroform to insensibility; and on recovering 
from it, the anesthesia of the mucous membrane still remained, so that the 
* Journ. de Pharm., Dec. 1849, 
