322 MALIGKANT EPIZOOTIC CATAEEH, 



fpnn plate — in the ethmoidal cells — slight tdcers were forming 

 on the membraneous lining. The inflammation also extended 

 to the mucous membrane of the pharynx, and say three inches 

 of the upper portion of the esophagus. Here it rather 

 abruptly terminated. Fifteen or twenty more cases were 

 examined, and so far as the seat and character of the disease 

 of the mucous membrane was concerned, the appearances 

 were uniform in every instance. 



This was obviously a species of catarrh — though the 

 feverish symptoms which ordinarily accompany a severe 

 attack of that disease were wanting. From the very outset, 

 and in eveiy case, the type of the disease was typhoid — 

 sinking — and rapidly tending to fatal prostration. 



I was anxious, of course, to reduce the local inflammation 

 of the membranes lining the head, but felt perfectly satisfied 

 there was too much debility to admit of depletory treatment. 

 Nevertheless, to make myself sure, and to gratify the curiosity 

 of others, I bled in three or four instances, as near as possible 

 to the commencement of the attack. As anticipated, it 

 evidently hastened the fatal termination. Blisters not being 

 regarded as available under all the circumstances, I blew Scotch 

 snuff (through paper tubes) up the nostrils of some of the 

 sheep, to cause the removal, by sneezing, of the mucus which 

 seriously obstructed respiration, and in the faint hope that it 

 might produce a new action, by which an increased mucous 

 secretion would be excited and the congested membrane 

 relieved. This was the only local treatment resorted to. 



The next step was to fix on the constitutional treatment. 

 The liver had been shown to be in a torpid state. There was 

 a functional derangement in the mesenteric and probably 

 other glands, and a want of activity in the general secretory 

 system. What medicine would stimulate the liver, cause it 

 to secrete the proper quantity as well as quality of bile, 

 change the morbid action of the glands and secretory system, 

 and restore activity and health to the vital functions generally? 

 In my judgment, nothing promised so well as mercury; and 

 by its well known effect on the entire secretory system, it 

 would powerfully tend to relieve the congested membranes of 

 the head. The proto- chloride of mercury (calomel) was 

 supposed to possess too much specific gravity to reach the 

 fourth stomach, with any certainty, administered in a liquid ; 

 and if administered as a ball or pill, it would be almost sure 

 not to reach that stomach. The dissolved bi-chloride of 

 mercury (corrosive sublimate) was therefore hit upon. One 



