Infusorial Catarrh and Asthma. 7 



The young are develope d within the parent cell, and when mature 

 are discharged at the end of the organism opposite the cilia, as 

 seen at Fig. 1 8 IL Taf. I. The parent becomes quite large before deli- 

 very ; and as the young one is discharged the parent cell becomes 

 shrunken and shrivelled for a time. The aperture soon however 

 closes, the rinkled shrivelled condition of the sac walls disappear 

 and the parent moves about again fresh, plump and lively as ever. 



The cilia are in active motion during the greater part of the 

 life existence of the animal, and produce a most aggravating irri- 

 tation of the mucous surfaces they infest. The young organisms 1, 

 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, have a rolling, rocking vibrating motion, from 

 side to side, making about one third of a revolution on the trans- 

 verse axis at each oscillation. The more mature cells, either 

 vibrate slightly or have a tremulous motion, — their cilia not 

 moving altogether as at 5 , — but vibrate in diiferent directions. 



Symptoms. After once obtaining a foothold on the mucous 

 surfaces of the air passages; they multiply rapidly. At first they 

 attack the mucous surfaces of the eye aud nose, producing sensa- 

 tiveness of the parts, which results in a free secretion of tears 

 and thin mucus, and in uncomfortable and often intense paroxysms 

 of sneezing. The organisms gradually travel from the nasal sur- 

 faces down into the fauces, larynx, tracheae, and larger and smal- 

 ler bronchii. As soon as they reach the fauces there is a burning 

 heat and irritation in the parts, that excites severe coughing. This 

 tendency to cough constantly increases as they and the irritation 

 gradually travel farther and farther down the air passages. When 

 the larger bronchii are reached, a heavy hot, feverish pain is felt 

 in the parts they invade, accompanied by more or less flushes of 

 heat and fever. These symptoms ordinarily and very naturally, 

 suggest to the physician „Catarrhal Fever" under which head 

 this disease is usually placed, especially when occurring during the 

 winter and spring. This stage is accompanied by most intense 

 paroxysms of coughing, which are frequently long and most pain- 

 ful; especially in the morning. 



If the parasite makes its way into the smaller bronchii and 

 air cells; asthmatic symptoms of a distressing character often 

 supervene, — and the sufferings already almost unendurable, are 

 much intensified. 



The disease may continue for a long time, if the parasite is 

 not destroyed; though after a period longer or shorter, — accord- 



