She was treated for some weeks with various stomachic and tonic medicines, and went into the country for a fortnight; but the symptoms remained more or less.
It was during an attack of this spasmodic or hysterical dyspnœa that I first administered oxygen to her, in proportion of 5 pints to 30 of air, and again in a double dose, only on three or four occasions.
It is possible that these doses were not large enough for a fair trial; but, however, I wish to record that relief was given, but it was slight and not permanent. Eventually the patient recovered under the use of bromide of potassium and quinine. She has since married, and is well.
Case VII. Chlorosis.—Miss P——, æt. 21, had been employed for some years with very long hours of work in a small close room; was stunted in growth, with chlorotic complexion, drowsiness, headache, palpitation, dyspnœa, and great fulness of the thyroid gland. Menstruation still occurred, though scantily, and at intervals of six to ten weeks.
She came under my care in January 1868, and after regulating her hours and her food as far as possible I prescribed various preparations of iron, of magnesia, of aloes and myrrh, baths, and liniments, &c.
There was a gradual improvement in her condition with occasional relapses, which obliged her to remain under treatment for many months. In October 1868 the prominent symptom was headache, violent and pulsating, and it was for this that I prescribed oxygen, after the failure of many medicines.
November 8th.—Inhaled 6 pints diluted with 30 of air; pulse 96 before commencing, had same frequency at the end; the only special symptom felt was a sense of oppression at the chest, but the headache was not so bad as usual that night.
9th.—When she entered my room the headache was violent; she inhaled 12 pints in 60 of air, and before finishing, the headache had disappeared, and she felt better; this occurred on several though not on all occasions, but she continued the use of the gas for ten days only. She was then obliged to be away for a time, and the headaches returned shortly afterwards: relief had been given, but not permanently. Perseverance here might have shown good results, but an opportunity occurring soon afterwards of a residence in the country for some months, I recommended her to take advantage of it; she has recently returned much improved in health, and is following her occupation again.
The two following cases are somewhat allied to the last, in being disorders of secretion or excretion, and are examples of that so common complaint in town people, hepatic congestion; the results were exceptionally favourable, and although under ordinary medicines patients generally improve in a satisfactory manner, yet the malady sometimes shows such a disposition to return, that one really scruples about prescribing over and over again rhubarb, magnesia, nux vomica, acids, or blue pill.
Case VIII.—Mrs. B——, æt. 40, mother of a large family, had been subject to bilious attacks for many years, and had several times been under my care. In May 1868 she had pain over hepatic region, depression, nausea, headache, and yellow conjunctivæ; the stools were frequent, loose, and pale; menstruation was profuse, and occurred oftener than normal.