Notes on Asthma; Its Nature, Forms and Treatment

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 Excerpt: ...of value in some cases, but to me its action has not seemed so well marked as that of the silver oxide. Spasmodic asthma after bronchitis, relieved by oxide of silver, cured by arsenic. Case IV.--Charles W., aet, 36, has been liable to asthma for two years since he got wet. The attacks come on very early in the morning, and pass off with cough and expectoration of clear mucus. Chest resonant, heart sounds feeble generally. R Argenti Oxidi, gr. j.; Ext. Lupuli, gr, ij. This pill was taken at bed-time with speedy relief. One night he omitted the pill, and the attack at 3 a.m. was as bad as ever. He kept well for some time, but, after taking cold, the asthma returned, and the pills failed to relieve; a change was therefore made to the liquor arsenicalis, three drops three times a day in infus. calumbae. Under this medicine he got quite well. Arsenious acid and the liquor arsenicalis (Fowler's Solution), which is arsenious acid dissolved by carbonate of potash, are both valuable remedies in the cure of spasmodic asthma. The arsenious acid may be given in a granule or pill made with manna, in a dose of 1-50th to 1-20th of a grain with perfect safety, and the liquor arsenicalis may be given in a dose of iij. to Hj, viij., the larger dose representing gr. 1-16th of arsenious acid. The liquor sodae arseniatis, which contains a definite arseniate of soda in the proportion of four grains to the ounce, is also a good preparation, and may agree better with the stomach than the arsenious acid preparations. The following cases illustrate the effect of arsenic as a remedy for asthma: --Spasmodic asthma of ten years' standing--Great relief from Fowler's solution. Case V.--October 2$tk, 1866.--Edward G aet. 33, came to the hospital. Been liable to asthma for ten years; from ..