90 REPORT—1863. 
permanent, and the general health continued excellent. In most of my 
earlier experiments the pure bromide of ammonium was used to bring about 
these Various fesults. I am now in the habit, however, of directing from one 
to three (of more) teaspootfuls of the effervescing bromide, an elegant and 
most agreeable salt prepared by Messrs. Fincham, of Baker Street, London, 
to be taken before bréakfast, in water, to neutralize or combine with the 
various fatty agents in the economy, which so materially aid in shortening 
the period of human existence. It may be here mentioned that a drachm of 
the effervestitig bromide contains two grains of the salt, and that this quantity 
is equivalent to a teaspoonful. If it is desired to give this agent but once daily, 
no better form could be chosen, as four or six grains of the pure salt may be thus 
administered with great comfort and certainty. - It does not undergo decom= 
position in the stomach, but is absorbed or acts in its condition of bromide. 
Before giving 4 few illustrative cases, it may be further mentioned that 
the general use of this agent in many hundreds of different individuals de- 
monstfated some retiarkable and striking facts, which an experience of some 
years, pathologically, will determine the value of, and they are as follows :— 
When the atheromatous or calcareo-atheromatous expressions have been 
present, not necessarily associated with corpulence, but where the proneness 
to adipose changes or development was apparent ; and in examples of persons 
undergoing atheromatous conversions, besides the changes last mentioned, 
there was noticed a marked clearness in the fatty eye, the arcus or annulus 
adiposus vel senilis, if present, became less yellow and oily-looking, the face 
was brighter, the integument not being so greasy; the mental faculties seemed 
to become more active and the mind sharper, and the bodily energy was 
certainly greater. 
The foregoing changes were significant of others not less important going 
on within ; for although the general health was good, it was quite evident in 
some that the expression already referred to was an index of atheromatous 
deposits, aid a preponderance of cholesterine in the great blood-vessels 
springing from the heart, and also in the smaller vessels at the base of the 
brain. In sorie there could be no doubt of the coexistence of a large and 
flabby heart, with true fatty degeneration of its muscular structure, indicated 
by physical signs which it is not necessary to enter into here. 
If the effects of this salf were so manifest in its external aspects, it is but 
reasonable to assume that the internal were not the less positive and certain. 
And this seemed to me powerfully confirmed by the increased vigour of the 
intellect, the increased power in the rhythm of the heart, the soundness in 
breathing, and the softness of the pulse, with an apparent decrease of the 
rigidity 4nd hardness of the coats of the blood-vessels at the wrist and some 
other places. 
Exp. 21.—J. F., aged 43, health good, moderately polysarcious, athe- 
fomatous expression well marked, annulus adiposus, appetite indifferent, 
weight 173 lbs. Took three grains bromide of ammonium for seven months: 
For the first thirteen weeks lost a pound a week, and afterwards from half to 
three-qtiarter pound per week, until his weight was reduced to 157 Ibs., when 
it appeared to be stationary: His health continued excellent, and his appe- 
tite was better, although he ate a smaller quantity of food. 
Ewp. 22.—A, D. K., aged 57, a stout corpulent person, weighing 227 lbs.; 
a good example of polysarcia. Health moderate; face red and greasy; eyes 
congested and fatty, with fo areus; cracked voice from deposit of atheroma 
in the vocal chords ; sweet tasté in the mouth constant; no glucosuria ; faucial 
mucous menibrane congested, red and oily-looking ; appetite at times inordi- 
