francis' cases of morbid anatomy. 509 



upon, in consultation, to use mercury, both on account of its general 

 deobstruent effects, and the acknowledged celebrity it had long ago 

 obtained in the removal of affections of the same, or of an analogou? 

 character. 



On the 7th of October he commenced taking the submur. hydrarg. 

 grains two, twice a day, and shortly after, in order the sooner to excite 

 the action of this mineral on his constitution, the ungt. mercur. fort, 

 was rubbed upon the lymphatics of the chest, of the inner parts of the 

 thighs, and of the legs. Opium was occasionally given to prevent the 

 undue action of the mercurial salt upon the bowels. He was also bled 

 on the thirteenth, on account of a severe spasm, and had an additional 

 blister applied, which, with other blisters, was dressed with the mercurial 

 ointment. He continued under the mercurial treatment nearly seven 

 weeks, during which time no means, calculated to produce a pre- 

 ternatural increase of the salivary discharge, were neglected ; but. all 

 endeavours for this purpose, were followed with very partial success, a 

 slight soreness of the gums, which lasted for a few days, being all that 

 was apparent. 



At the beginning of December, the patient's constitution was still 

 more enfeebled. He expressed little inclination for nourishment, and 

 much less than his ordinary quantity sufficed. He complained of great 

 pain while attempting to swallow, but did not suffer so much from his 

 dyspeptic symptoms. He frequently rejected what he swallowed, but 

 the exertions which he now made for this purpose, were scarcely under 

 the control of the voluntary powers, and were accompanied with com- 

 paratively little pain. The stricture of the oesophagus was evidently 

 greater ; even jellies in very small quantities could be taken in but 

 slowly, and with great difficulty. The bowels at this period were 

 generally costive : pulse, heretofore about natural, was now quickened; 

 respiration more frequent and anxious ; the heat of the body scarcely 





