2JKJ

OF THE ASTHA1A,

solution of muriateb quicksilver (the corrosive sublimate.)—Others use the mercurial ointment, without taking the least care eitherto avoid cold, keep the body open, or observe a proper regimen. Theconsequences of such conduct may be easily guessed. I have knowneven the mercurial girdles produce bad effects, and would advise everyperson, as he values his health, to beware how he uses them. Mercuryought never to be used as a medicine without the greatest care. Igno-rant people look upon these girdles as a kind of charm, without consider-ing that the mercury enters the body.

It is not to be told what mischief is done by using mercurial ointmentfor curing the itch and killing vermin; yet it is unnecessary for either:the former may be always more certainly cured by sulphur, and the lat-ter will never be found where due regard is paid to cleanliness.

Those who would avoid this detestable disease ought to beware ofinfected persons, to use wholesome food, and to study universal clean-liness.

CHAP. XL.

OF THE ASTHMA.

Is

THE asthma is a disease of the lungs, which seldom admits of a cure.Persons in the decline of life are most liable to it. It is distinguishedinto the moist and dry, or humoral and nervous. The former is attend-ed with expectoration or spitting; but in the latter the patient seldomspits, unless sometimes a little tough phlegm by the mere force ofcoughing.

CAUSES. ------The asthma is sometimes hereditary. It may likewise

proceed from a bad formation of the breast; the fumes of metals orminerals taken into the lungs ; violent exercise, especially running ; theobstruction of customary evacuations, as the menses, haemorrhoids, &c.;the sudden retrocession of the gout, or stricking in of eruptions, as thesmall-pox, measels, &c.; violent passions of the mind, as sudden fearor surprise. In a word, the disease may proceed from any cause thateither impedes the circulation of the blood through the lungs, or preventstheir being duly expanded by the air.

SYMPTOMS.------An asthma is known by a quick laborious breath-ing, which is generally performed with a kind of wheezing noise. Some-times the difficulty of breathing is so great that the patient is obliged tokeep in an erect posture, otherwise he is in danger of being suffocated.A fit or paroxysm of asthma generally happens after a person has beenexposed to cold easterly winds, or has been abroad in thick foggyweather, or has got wet, or continued long in a damp place underground, or has taken some food which the stomach could not digest, aspastries, toasted cheese, or the like.