190 Effects of the Prusdc Acid, 



diaphragm ; but only a heaving of the chest, a hurried re- 

 spiration, and an expansion of the aim nasi. When the 

 cough occurred, the turns of which were frequent, partic- 

 ularly towards morning, it was dry, hollow, and gave that 

 pecuHar sound, as though the quantity of air respired was 

 not sufficient to fill the tube through which it passed. Ap- 

 petite tolerable — digestion more or less bad — bowels cos- 

 tive — countenance pale and hollow — emaciation considera- 

 ble — able however to walk about, and attend to some busi- 

 ness — pulse sixty-nine in a minute. 



In this state, Sept. 2d, 1820, he began to take the prussic 

 acid. 



R Syrup Sugar i ounce. 

 Water vii ounces. 



Prussic Acid 64 drops. 



He began by taking three drachms of this julep three 

 times a day. For a few days, no apparent effect was 

 produced on any of his symptoms. On the fifth day there- 

 fore the dose was increased to half an ounce of the julep, 

 five times a day, making twenty drops of the Prussic acid 

 in twenty-four hours. The effects of the remedy now be- 

 came obvious; and on continuing it for several weeks, and 

 watching all the symptoms of the patient, and consequences 

 of the medicine, with much attention, I am confident that 

 the following observations on this case are well founded. 



1st. The pulses being counted three times a day for 

 eighteen days, it was found that no effect on the number of 

 pulsations was produced. It was however obvious that the 

 medicine had its influence over the heart and arteries — the 

 peculiar tense, or windy feeling of the pulse being changed 

 to comparative softness, and gave to the touch a more heal- 

 thy and agreeable sensation. 



2d. The costiveness was obviated by the remedy. 



3d. The appetite, and digestive powers were improved, 



4th. Its immediate effects were stimulant and cordial. 



5th. Its secondary effects were soporific, so that the pa- 

 tient frequently found it difficult to keep himself awake after 

 he had taken a dose of four drops. This effect was uni- 

 form for several weeks, but different in degree. 



6th. Immediately after swallowing a dose of the prussic 

 acid, the patient experienced a peculiar sensation, approach- 

 ing to numbness, and which he described as beginning at 



