ON THE TRANSMUTATION OF SPECTRAL RAYS. 93 
various degrees of usefulness. It here seems to act as an antispasmodic, for 
it calms irritation and allays nervous excitability. 
Fatty disease of the heart and diseases of the blood-vessels are amenable 
to it. 
Bronchitis, asthma, pertussis, affections of the trachea, throat, antrum, and 
nose, in fact wherever the mucous membrane is implicated will the salt be 
found to possess some degree of usefulness. 
Some forms of chronic rheumatism and diseases of the skin are benefited 
by it. And amongst other properties it occasionally possesses that of an 
emmenagogue, and has proved useful in amenorrhcea. 
Administered in certain ways, it may be found hereafter valuable in diseases 
of the genito-urinary mucous membrane. 
In these few remarks I prefer to point out the direction in which the agent 
may be made useful, than to say much at present upon the subject. 
To obtain its good effects it should be given with comparatively few com- 
binations, for the union of its constituents, although by no means readily 
broken, is at any rate influenced by certain substances which negative its 
properties. Incompatible substances must especially be avoided, and the 
antagonism between it and salts of iodine must not be forgotten. 
Not the least of its advantages is, that it can be given in those constitutions 
wherein the preparations of iodine disagree. 
General conclusions.—These may be stated as follows :— 
1. In small doses, more or less long continued, bromide of ammonium acts 
as a tonic and absorbent, and exerts its peculiar properties upon the skin and 
mucous membrane. 
2. It diminishes the weight of the body in polysarcia, causing the absorption 
of fat, cholesterine, and atheroma, when combined with a regulated diet ; and 
this is effected with greater certainty than by any other known substance. 
3. It improves the intellectual powers, increases the bodily capacity, and 
promotes healthy function. 
4, Locally it possesses a soothing influence on the mucous membrane, and 
according to the strength and mode of its application, so does it diminish 
sensibility. 
5. In large, frequently repeated doses, or given at intervals, it influences 
the entire mucous tract; it affects all the special senses, and produces 
anesthesia or impaired sensibility of the various mucous outlets. 
6. All the poisonous effects are produced by very large doses as from the 
bromide of potassium, but in smaller doses it is more certain and reliable, 
causes no diarrhoea or diuresis, nor anaphrodisiasis, and its special properties 
are exerted sooner and with less inconvenience. 
On the Transmutation of Spectral Rays.—Part I. 
By Dr. C. K. Axin. 
Tne discovery of fluorescence, by Professor Stokes, has opened to science a new 
and wide field of research of the greatest promise; nevertheless, though a 
few persons have more or less clearly perceived the existence of outlying 
ground*, no one has actually attempted to carry cultivation beyond the ex- 
tent from which Prof, Stokes, by his labours, has derived such remarkable 
* See Appendix, p. 97. 
