Infusorial Catarrth and Asthma. 9 



Asthmatic symptoms. When the parasites reach the 

 smaller bronchii and air cells, — especially in irritable and sen- 

 sative constitutions, — Asthmatic symptoms begin to show them- 

 selves, — and often become distressing and almost unendurable. 

 Any excitement in the circulation aggravates the symptoms. The 

 evening and night air always increase the sufferings. 



Season of Invasion. This disease is much more common 

 from July to November (in this Climate) — than at any other 

 season of the year, though it may occur at any season. When it 

 occurs during the latter part of the summer and in early Autumn, 

 it is usuallv called „Hay Fever" or Hay Asthma" and some- 

 times „Malarial Asthma" of which class it is one form only. 

 During the winter it is freqently called „Catarrhal Fever"; and 

 with very good reason; — as the disease is always accompanied 

 with fever and chilly sensations. The face is usually flushed, head 

 hot and pulse rapid, — especially during the acute stage. How 

 long the disease would continue, if left to itself, I do not know, 

 as I have never let a case run long without the use of remedies 

 to destroy the cause. 



Contagion. This disease belongs to those that may be trans- 

 mitted from one individual to another; though the transmission is 

 not very readily accomplished. In working very closely over about 

 sixty cases of the disease, — examining the sputa under the micro- 

 scope for many hours together in each instance; and in several 

 severe attacks, devoting days to the examinations, — I have taken 

 the disease but six times myself; and in two instances have trans- 

 mitted it to my family. I have usually began to feel symptoms of 

 the presence of the parasite in from 4 to 8 days after beginning 

 to treat a case. In all of my late cases — I should state, — 

 that I have taken the precaution to inhale, — , — a solution of 

 crystalised carbolic acid, — 5Vi ^^ the pint of water, every two 

 or three hours; and to take 20 drops of Tinct. Feni — chlorid, 

 in a tumbler of water 2 hours after each meal. This course has 

 lately protected me from taking the disease. 



Name of Disease. I have given to this disease the name 

 that stands at the head of this paper. It has been given after 

 carefully studying for over six years with great interest, the symp- 

 toms and peculiarities of the complaint. During that time I have 

 treated about sixty cases of „Infusorial Catarrh and Asthma", and 



