SPASM OF TIIK DIAPHRAGM. 
5 13 
and smaller than the monas atomus, which immediately turned 
round upon their own axis with great velocity, and then jumped 
a certain distance in a straight line, when they again revolved 
and took a second leap. This monad alternately spins round 
like a top, and then darts forward like an arrow. 
Bridgewater Treatises, Kirby, x ol. i, p.352. 
SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
By Mr. Joseph Gutter idge, Carmarthen 
On the evening of the 10th July, 1835, my attention was 
called to a brown mare, six years old, in the stud of Mr. George 
Davies, mail proprietor, of this town. The mare, on her arrival in 
the Gloucester mail, shewed great uneasiness, and made frequent 
attempts to void urine ; the pulse was 90, and there was a violent 
beating on the near side, which could be heard at a considerable 
distance. Her side was much convulsed ; and, on placing my 
hand over the heart, its action could not be clearly felt. I was 
then perfectly satisfied of the nature of the disease. I imme- 
diately abstracted 12 pounds of blood, and administered 5 drachms 
of aloes, 1 drachm of emetic tartar, 1 drachm of ginger, and 
2 drachms of Castile soap, dissolved in hot water. Injections of 
warm water were ordered every three hours. 
1 1th . — She is evidently worse. The pulse has risen to 100, 
and the beating is more violent. I bled again to the amount of 
16 pounds, and administered the same draught as before, with 
the addition of 1 drachm of tincture of opium. The injections 
were continued. She occasionally elevated her head and de- 
pressed her back, a symptom which I have generally observed 
in gastric affections. She took at 11 p.m. a small bran mash, 
and ate a little grass, and had an infusion of oatmeal to drink. 
I requested my assistant to leave the infusion within her reach. 
At 7 p.m. I found the symptoms more favourable; but still there 
was convulsion in the side. I then resolved to lay an active 
blister on the side and the greater part of the abdomen, which 
soon began to have the desired effect. 
12 tli. — Better; pulse 75; bowels well open. Injection every 
four hours. 
13^//. — I gave the following laxative mixture : 2 drachms of 
Castile soap, dissolved in boiling water, to which were gradually 
added linseed oil 12 drachms, oil of croton tiglium 30 drops. 
6 p.m. — I was informed the acute pain had left her about 
three hours after the medicine had been given. Ordered mash 
and gruel as before. 
VOL. ix. 3 Y 
