CHLOROFORM IN ASIATIC CHOLERA. 521 
inducing a similar change to that presented by the skin in the same 
disease. 
Secondly. Simple diarrhoea, really depending on a subacute in- 
flammation of the mucous lining, occasionally continues for many 
days, and may even proceed to a fatal issue, unaccompanied by 
cramp or any remarkable arrest of function in the secerning glands. 
Thirdly. In Asiatic cholera the spasmodic muscular contrac- 
tions occasionally precede the diarrhoea and vomiting ; and, 
Fourthly. The disease will occasionally terminate fatally without 
having presented any symptoms but those of irritation of the spinal 
cord, and collapse. 
These facts, I think, preclude us from regarding the affection as 
primarily seated in the alimentary canal. It is, I conceive, more 
probable that the disease is produced either by a specific poison 
conveyed through the atmosphere and entering the blood, or by a 
disturbance in the electrical condition of the atmosphere, or other 
deviation from its normal standard, calculated to promote the gene- 
ration in the blood, under favourable circumstances of predispo- 
sition, of a product which acts as a poison to the sympathetic and 
spinal centres. Whatever value may be set on this theory, a 
review of all the ascertained facts connected with the disease will, 
I am inclined to think, fully warrant us in regarding those nervous 
systems as “ the peccant parts.” The functions of the liver, 
kidneys, and salivary glands, are arrested ; for, in the few cases in 
which urine and bile have been found after death in their proper 
receptacles, these fluids have, doubtless, been secreted prior to the 
attack, and retained by spasm of the sphincter vesicse or gall- 
duct. The muscular prostration, with rapidly recurring spasm, at 
once refers to disease of the spinal cord. The action of the respi- 
ratory muscles is impeded, and the chest in consequence, not being 
duly expanded, a diminished volume of atmospheric air is inhaled 
at each inspiration. Carbonic acid accumulates in the blood, its 
homogeneity is impaired; and, the diminished organic nervous 
agency depriving the mucous tissue and follicles of the intestinal 
tract of their tone or vitality, they would appear to be transformed 
into passive filters of the fluids of the body. 
If such be the true pathology of malignant cholera, the first 
indication of cure would be to administer an antidote ; that is to 
say, a remedy capable of forming such a combination with the 
morbid product circulating through the system as would render it 
inert or materially modify its influence — an effect which mercury 
seems to produce on the syphilitic virus; but, while unacquainted 
with such a remedy, the next indication presenting would, obvi- 
ously, be to subdue the irritable condition of the spinal nerves by 
remedies of a sedative character, and restore, by the use of diffu- 
