366 Efficacy of Prussia Acid in Astkma. 



A combination of unavoidable circumstances has prevent- 

 ed the earlier appearance of this abstract. It is intended 

 to give a notice of the proceedings of the Lyceum, in each 

 succeeding number of this Journal. 



3. Efficacy of Prussic Acid in Asthma. 

 To the Editor. 



From Thomas Hubbard, M. D, President of the Medical 



Society of Connecticut. 

 Sir, 



By your politeness I was furnished, about three years 

 since, wiih a vial of Prussic Acid, prepared by M. Robi- 

 quet, according to the directions of Dr. Magendie of Paris. 



Since that time, I have made use of that, and several oth- 

 er portions of that medicine. The disease in which 1 have 

 found it most useful is Asthma, and for the purpose of re- 

 commending trials of that medicine in this disease, I am in- 

 duced to make this communication. 



Without going into the detail of the cases, I barely state 

 the fact, that I have not failed to relieve the disease in a sin- 

 gle instance, in which I have prescribed the prussic acid, 

 and some of the cases have been very severe, and many 

 other means of relief had been tried in vain. 



I do not think proper to mention the particular doses of 

 the medicine, as it is found of unequal strength in the shops, 

 and being a medicine of great power, it ought not to be ad- 

 ministered without the direction of a physician. Suffice it 

 to say, that the medicine should be given three, four, five, 

 or six times in twenty-four hours, in such doses as may pro- 

 duce its peculiar effects, in some degree, on the system. 



In a few days the symptoms will probably abate, when 

 the medicine may be given in smaller or less frequent dos- 

 es, and if the symptoms entirely disappear, the medicine 

 may be wholly omitted. 



1 do not pretend that the disease may not recur; but in 

 each subsequent occurrence, by an early administration of 

 the medicine, the paroxysms may be abated in violence and 

 duration, by which means the general health of the patient 

 will in most cases improve. 



This I consider of great consequence in such a distressing 

 disease as this is, in some instances. J know a gentleman 



