Effedis oj the Prmsic Acid. 191 



the head, and gradually approaching the extremities. This 

 sensation lasted only a i&\\ moments, and was followed by 

 no disagreeable consequences. 



7th. It seemed to produce a slight degree of stricture 

 across the chest. This eiFect was not, however, so clearly 

 ascertained as the others, this symptom not always following 

 the use of the remedy. 



8th. On intermitting the remedy, its good effects, par- 

 ticularly on the cough, became much more apparent than 

 when the patient was under its immediate influence. This 

 observation has been verified in several cases. 



This patient, after taking the prussic acid for several 

 weeks, became obviously much better in many respects. — 

 The digestive powers were improved — the appetite better 

 =— sleep less disturbed by turns of coughing — countenance 

 observed by every one to look more healthy. The cough, 

 however, did not cease to be troublesome, and indeed seem- 

 ed to be less affected by the remedy than any of the other 

 symptoms, and it is but fair to state, that notwithstanding 

 the indications of returning health, as above described, the 

 medicine, either lay continued use, or the influence of the 

 cold season on the patient, seemed afterwards to lose its 

 powers, and was finally discontinued. The patient, how- 

 ever, is still confident that the prussic acid has been of es- 

 sential service to him, and will probably again resume its 

 use. 



Case 2d. C. A, laborer aged twenty-seven, of a healthy 

 constitution, but bihous habit, on exposure to cold was seiz- 

 ed with a violent catarrhal affection, attended with a dis- 

 tressing cough, which left him scarce any repose day or 

 night ; at night particularly, the cough became so exaspe- 

 rated as almost entirely to deprive him of rest. When I 

 saw him, five weeks after the commencement of his com- 

 plaint, his countenance was pale, languid, and shrivelled ; 

 and he was apparently worn out by the violence of his dis- 

 ease, and the want of ordinary sleep — pulse feeble, but not 

 much accelerated — complained of great muscular debility, 

 <30 that slight exercise produced copious sweating. For 

 these complaints he had already taken the usual remedies 

 prescribed by physicians, without any relief. 



In this state, I prescribed for him the prussic acid in do- 

 ses of three drops, three tiiflpg a day, in a convenient vehi- 



