Among other celebrated physicians, Dr. Jenner Coxe, of this city, has published an interesting work on Inhalation, in which he gives many instances of its curative influence, not only in the case of others, but in that of himself. "In reference to my own case," Dr. Coxe says, "which was the first in which I employed Inhalation, it may not be amiss to state that, for years, I had given an ample trial to all the remedies which were suggested by many of the most experienced American and French physicians, without being able to effect more than an alleviation of the most distressing symptoms attendant upon a chronic disease of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea." After narrating numerous examples of recovery, Dr. Coxe concludes thus:-"I hope that I have now convincingly proved that Medical Inhalation is not only peculiarly applicable, but that it has displayed unequalled remedial powers, in the cure of pulmonary, bronchial, laryngeal, and tracheal diseases."

We might multiply quotations from the experience of distinguished medical men, respecting the happy effects to be derived from Dr. Maddock's mode of treatment; showing that, as a feature in judicious practice in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs, it stands pre-eminent; but to do this would be superfluous.

Dr. Maddock states, in which we concur, that, in many cannot be supposed to act from other than a strong conviction of the value and excellency of the practice. However injudicious may be many of their early experiments, and frequent their failure from the want of that guiding knowledge which practical instruction or long experience alone can give, we cannot but regard this as the dawning of great and important changes in the practice of medicine."-A. B. M.

of the cases where Inhalation has been unsatisfactory, it has been owing to the imperfect instruments used, and to the administration of improper remedies.

We adopt the inhaling machine successfully used in the practice of Dr. Maddock, and other eminent medical gentlemen who employ inhalation in England. The apparatuses with small mouthpieces, such as are now used in this country, always induce fatigue in the respiratory organs, and are apt to bring on a succession of violent coughings; but Dr. M.'s instrument does not occasion fatigue, or impose the slightest exertion; requiring during inhalation no more effort than does ordinary breathing. Success could not be expected to attend the process with the imperfections of the common inhalers, neither is it to be supposed that an injudicious selection from the various remedies can be more satisfactory.

To close our present remarks, we will observe, in reference to morbid conditions of the lungs and air-tubes, that with the adoption of the method of treatment now under consideration everything is to be anticipated, but without it nothing can reasonably be expected, as past experience has too fully demonstrated.

1855.

ON

MEDICATED INHALATIONS

IN

AFFECTIONS OF THE CHEST.

FROM the earliest ages, Consumption and other diseases to which the lungs and breathing-tubes are subject have engaged the attention and prompted the unremitting study of medical writers of the greatest eminence-many learned disquisitions have been penned upon the pathology and diagnosis of those complaints-but when the subject of treatment has been entered upon the tone has generally been hopeless and desponding.

The utmost variety of opinion has been expressed as to the probable, or rather possible, efficacy of the different remedies which have from time to time been suggested-remedies which, it must be admitted, have hitherto done but little to advance the reputation of the profession, or to lessen the amount of human suffering and mortality.

As evidence of the prevalence and fatality of pulmonary disease, I may mention that the bills of mortality show that, upon an average, 8,000 persons in the metropolis, and about 60,000 in the United Kingdom, annually fall victims to this scourge of our species.

When we recollect the delicate organization of the lungsthat every minute of our existence we inspire and expire upon an average thirty-six times, which movements commence at birth and continue without cessation until death-and when

B

we remember how the lungs receive blood from the heart, varying in quantity and quality, and how they are operated upon by a changeable atmosphere, impregnated with injurious vapours, and loaded with hurtful particles, we can expeperience no surprise at the universality of pulmonic disease. But, however easily we may be able to account for the prevalence of consumption, the admitted fact that 60,000 persons are computed to die of it annually in Great Britain assuredly demands the serious attention of the faculty.

Bearing in mind these fearful truths, and the impossibility, under the ordinary treatment, of curing, or even staying the progress of, this mighty disease, it may be fairly presumed that any remedial means calculated to avert the fatal termination of this destroyer of our fellow-creatures will be hailed as an invaluable boon; and that individual must indeed be inaccessible to the dictates of humanity who does not embrace every opportunity of directing attention to any circumstance, or mode of practice, which may be calculated to accomplish that important object.

Endued with these feelings, it is with unmingled satisfaction and pleasure I am enabled confidently to assure the public and the profession that there is now a well-grounded hope of recovery for the afflicted, and that consumption is no longer to be considered beyond the reach of the medical artas the opprobrium artis medicinæ. Science has at length fairly grappled with this inveterate enemy to mankind, and has triumphed. I shall incontrovertibly show, not by theoretical speculations, but by facts, that pulmonary consumption, in certain stages of the disease, is positively curable, and that under the most adverse circumstances it is possible to afford extraordinary alleviation of suffering, by a judicious use of MEDICATED INHALATIONS.

But while I confidently assert that consumption may be cured, let it not be supposed that I regard inhalation as a catholicon, possessed of the power of overcoming the disease in every stage, and under all circumstances. I am too well

aware of the danger always more or less attending this malady to advance such a statement, which would be contrary to the results of my experience and inimical to the cause of truth. I fully admit the formidable character of pulmonary disease, and the uselessness, in many instances, of the best-directed efforts to oppose its progress; but, surely, occasional failures cannot be used as an argument against my mode of practice, inasmuch as all remedial means frequently fail in those complaints affecting the liver, stomach, womb, kidneys, and other organs, which are generally considered by the profession as being amenable to proper treat

ment.

I am well aware that a majority of the profession do not admit the possibility of curing pulmonary consumption, especially after ulceration has commenced; and I feel that it would, indeed, be thought presumption in me to attack a conviction in the public mind, so deeply seated and inveterate, by simply expressing my own ideas, and by narrating facts that have fallen only under my own observation. To combat any error successfully, it requires confirmatory testimony, that cannot possibly be open to the censure of interest. I shall, therefore, quote freely and ipsissimis verbis from the writings of those authors who have contributed the best energies of their minds to the study and investigation of this special class of diseases. Somewhat after the manner of old Burton, these pages are, indeed, fertile of quotations, but this will scarcely be considered an objection, since it gives the essence of many minds instead of one.

The most conclusive evidence of the possibility of a recovery from phthisis is derived from necroscopic examinations. Tubercular degenerations, as we all know, may be found in the lungs in three principal states or stages, in the form of small miliary granulations, in masses of variable size, and as cavities from softening.

Pathological facts show that recovery may take place in each of these stages. The evidence that they furnish of its