256 
ON THERAPEUTICS. 
of camphor, are of acknowledged value in those instances 
of local excitement, and act by directly diminishing the 
morbid sensibility of the part; camphor vapour is specially 
applicable to disease of the mucous tissue, for example, 
to the various forms of catarrh, nasal, laryngeal, or bron¬ 
chial. The vapour may be brought in contact with the 
membrane most conveniently, by sprinkling the powder 
upon the flue of the hot-air bath heated to near 100 degrees, 
or it may be sprinkled upon a little hay on the surface 
of hot water, and, by a simple contrivance, conveyed into 
the air-passages in the ordinary process of steaming the 
nostrils ; by the aid of a horse-rug or a sack, one end of 
which incloses the vessel containing the fluid, while the 
other is drawn over the animal’s nose. A still more complete 
anodyne action will follow the use of a mixture of camphor 
and chloroform applied in the same way; two drachms of 
camphor may 7 be dissolved in an equal portion of chloroform, 
and poured on the surface of nearly boiling water, the vapour 
from which containing the two agents, both being easily 7 
volatilized, is inhaled by the animal usually without any 7 
resistance after the first effect of the novelty has passed. Of 
the beneficial effects of the treatment of catarrh by camphor 
inhalation, it is impossible to speak too highly. 
The various plans for introducing narcotic agents into the 
system are not matters of fancy or even of convenience only. 
We have seen in several instances, that the therapeutic effects 
are in a manner regulated by the method of administration. 
The complete control which we possess over the develop¬ 
ment of narcotic effects enables us to arrange with tolerable 
certainty for the production of any phase of action we may 7 
desire, by apportioning the dose, and by the different methods 
of introducing the agent into the system, viz., by 7 the mouth, 
by enema, in the form of vapour, and as a lotion or liniment. 
By the mouth, where our object is to lessen excitement, or 
diminish general sensibility 7 , employing opium, hyosc\ 7 amus, 
or chloroform. 
By the rectum, when a more completely benumbing effect 
is desired without the risk of a previous excitation. In this 
way, chloroform and tobacco vapour or opium, have proved 
to be exceedinglv valuable. 
By inhalation, when a direct action upon the respiratory' 
membrane is sought, or complete anaesthesia necessary ; the 
medicines so carried into the system are camphor or chloro¬ 
form, or both in combination. It will be remembered that 
anaesthesia cannot be induced when any extreme excitement 
exists in the system, previous to the attempt at inhalation. 
