Prof. E. D. Smith on Calculous Affections. 305 



enemas without relief. Castor oil Was also given ; but the 

 suffering continued for several hours, until at length sleep 

 was gradually induced, and I awoke with no other sensation 

 than a soreness of the parts, which had been affected. No 

 such violent attack occurred again, neither did the urine at 

 any time, exhibit any other appearance of disease than an 

 unusually rapid separation of its mucous particles. In a 

 little while however, it was observed that a few hours of 

 close apphcation to study, standing for a short time, or any 

 exposure to cold, always induced a considerable pain in the 

 back, hip and urethra ; and when this pain was present, 

 the calls to void urine were more frequent and its passage 

 through the canal occasioned great irritation — and finally 

 this acrimony increased so much as to produce slight hae- 

 maturia and the discharge of sinall membranaceous fila- 

 ments. Abstraction from mental employment, equal and 

 comfortable temperature, and moderate exercise, together 

 with a regular and more generous diet, afforded much tem- 

 porary relief. To make this benefit more permanent a 

 journey, of several weeks duration was undertaken ; but 

 there was such a constant succession of wet and cold weather 

 that I returned with deteriorated health, and the distressing 

 sensations in the urethra became so great, that frequently 

 they prevented sleep, and these sensations were much ag- 

 gravated by the use of any indigestable food and particular- 

 ly by wine. The whole system began to sink under con- 

 tinued suffering and gloomy apprehensions, and in this state 

 I resolved again to consult an ingenious medical friend, of 

 this town, who had before aided me with his advice. It 

 was his opinion that an acrimony of the fluids was exhibit- 

 ing itself in the urine and was probably the principal cause 

 of the symptoms, and if not arrested that it would termi- 

 nate in the formation of calculous concretions. The sub- 

 carbonate of soda had been already used without apparent 

 benefit and therefore, for the reason stated in a preceding 

 part of this memoir, it was determined to make use of mag- 

 nesia. Doses of a tea spoonful each, tVv'ice in the day, 

 were exhibited for several days, and, although at first con- 

 siderably purgative, they soon ceased to be so. The un- 

 pleasant sensations were gradually amehorated, and at the 

 end of four days disappeared altogether. Since that time 

 occasional imprudencies in diet or much confinement have 

 VoT.. m No. 2. 39 



