Case XVI.—Asthma.—Detail of Treatment as a Guide to others. (2d December.)

W. M., aged twenty, residing in Biggar, came to my house after dark, on the evening of Monday, 2d December, to be cured, by a few whiffs of spray, of an attack of asthma of several days' duration. He was breathing with the greatest difficulty, very feverish, cough of a stridulous character, stomach out of order, and could get up little or no expectoration. The night being frosty, and the roads all covered with snow, the treatment began by ordering him home at once, and off to bed, where he would scarcely go, his breathing was so bad. He had experienced similar attacks during the last two years, during the last year especially. Indeed, for twelve months he had rarely wanted a cough, some wheezing in chest, with the addition besides of such asthmatic attacks for a fortnight or more every now and again. He was looked on by his neighbours as a poor, wheezing, weak-chested lad, on the borders of decline; but always contrived to recruit sometimes, gain better breathing, and pick up a little strength. On visiting him I first administered a few very cautious and gentle whiffs, which excited coughing and increased the breathlessness considerably. At intervals of one minute, and sometimes two, I continued injecting a dose of spray. In fifteen minutes or thereby the breathlessness was at its height, and cough of a 'squealing' character. Soon afterwards the cough changed a little, brought up some expectoration freely, for the first time, and by continuing the spray (now more continuously) the cough became decidedly looser; he expectorated well; so that in half-an-hour the victory was virtually gained. To keep up the good effects thus induced, I forthwith set agoing sulphur fumigation, ordered it to be kept up for two hours, until the family retired to bed, with inhaling of steam occasionally, and then left.

Tuesday Morning, 3d December.—Greatly better. Less feverish. Cough much looser. Says he passed a good night and slept well,—though his parents declare that he moaned considerably, and seemed uneasy during sleep. Tongue being very foul, ordered him laxative medicine, a restricted diet, and an hour's mild fumes three times daily, especially before bedtime.

Wednesday, 4th December.—Comparatively well. Never saw more of him until the 9th.

Monday, 9th December.—Says he felt as well as ever he did in his life; but this is an exaggeration,—for a slight cough still remains, though very loose and not troublesome. He means (on cross-questioning him) that he is better than he has been for the last year. Put him on gentle laxatives and a restricted diet, to see if treatment directed especially to the stomach will ward off any future attacks, and eradicate asthma out of his system.