who had Swallowed a Number of Clasp-Knives. S09 
I consented to the trial, and Cummings took ten drops every 
four hours, daily increasing each dose by a drop, for a fortnight. 
No effect was however produced, except tormina, which symp- 
tom opium did not relieve so readily as heretofore ; his appetite 
continued good, except for animal food. Under these circum- 
stances, he was directed (having hitherto kept in bed) to sit up 
the whole of the day. For a few days he always vomited on 
rising ; but within a week he lost that symptom, and the vo- 
miting seldom occurred oftener than three times in the twenty- 
four hours, and then mostly after taking tea or other liquid. 
Though these fluids were returned a very few minutes after they 
were swallowed, the matter vomited had always the appearance 
of ink and water. The exhibition of any medicine was now 
suspended, except for the obviating of costiveness. 
Towards the close of January 1806, he was evidently more 
emaciated ; yet he moved about, and at intervals performed the 
duty of a sweeper. Until the 26th of the following April, there 
was but little alteration : he then complained of much pain, and ' 
incessant vomiting. Opium, the warm bath, and laxatives were 
employed, but without any apparent advantage ; yet, at the end 
of -May, the vomiting was much less in quantity and in frequen- 
cy ; the pain was also relieved, being felt only on his attempting 
to stand erect ; his appearance was also improved, and he was 
discharged to the performance of such light duties as he could 
execute. 
On the 6th of June, he brought to me the half of a horn 
handle of a knife, which he declared he had thrown off* his sto- 
mach that morning, without any particular effort or attending 
pain. 
“ Nearly five months now elapsed without any particular oc- 
currence. He gathered strength and flesh, ate voraciously, 
drank proportionably, and performed various easy duties in the 
ship ; though, when questioned, he complained of pain when 
standing erect, and of vomiting at intervals. 
“ On the 8th of November, he passed, in two alvine evacua- 
tions, the blade, and half the horn handle of a knife ; he then 
complained of much pain in the abdomen, and was relieved by 
a dose of castor-oil combined with tincture of opium. The 12th 
of November he passed another portion of iron, with much pain, 
