tered, and anti-spasmodic mixtures and injections; a blister on the chest will often afford much relief. The following is a good formula for the mixture: Tincture of Assafoetida and Sulphuric Ether, of each 2 drams; Tincture of Opium, 1 dram; Peppermint Water, 6 ounces; mix, and take a tablespoonful every hour. If the expectoration is scanty and difficult, add to this Tincture of Squills, 2 drams; Wine of Tartarized Antimony, 1 dram; or make the vehicle, instead of Peppermint Water, Mixture of Ammoniacum, that is, about 2 drams of the gum rubbed down with 6 ounces of water. The best aperient is Castor Oil, given in Peppermint, or weak Brandy and Water. Where there is reason to suppose the stomach is overloaded, an emetic, composed of 1 grain of Tartarized Antimony, and 1 scruple of Powder of Ipecacuanha, in half a tumbler of warm water, should be given. The enema thrown up may consist of 2 drams of Gum Assafoetida to a pint of thin gruel. Tincture of Lobelia Inflata is good in obstinate cases, dose 1 dram; and also Tincture of Nicotiana, or Tobacco, in nauseating doses; inhaling the fumes of the leaves of this plant through a pipe, and also of Stramonium, is sometimes of service, and the good effect of either will be assisted by a cup of hot coffee, putting the feet in warm water, or using the warm bath. To prevent the return of a paroxysm of Asthma, avoid the exciting causes, keep the bowels gently open with Rhubarb or some other mild aperient, and strengthen the tone of the stomach by bitter infusions, such as Camomile or Gentian; if there is tightness of the chest, put on a blister, and take an emetic now and then to clear out the phlegm from the bronchial passage; take at bedtime 10 grains of Dover's Powder, or the same of compound Squill Pill, with a little warm gruel. For the rest, take light and nourishing diet, avoiding everything difficult of digestion; wear warm clothing-flannel next the skin― have regular and moderate exercise, change of climate if possible, should the situation occupied be damp, or bleak and exposed. Do not indulge in sensual or intemperate habits. Hay-Asthma. Also called HayFever, or Summer Bronchitis, is a disease which occurs about the time of the hay harvest, and appears to be caused by the pollen of some wild plants getting into and inflaming the bronchial passages. This theory is supported by the fact that those who live in situations where there is little or no vegetation do not suffer from it. A difficulty of breathing, and a burning sensation in the throat, are the chief characteristics of this affection, on which no remedies seem to exercise a curative effect; a removal to a different locality is most effectual. Sometimes Chloride of lime, placed in different parts of the sleepingroom, has a good effect. Tincture of Lobelia in 30-drop doses gives some relief. Diseases of the Heart. These may be divided into-1st, Functional or Nervous; and 2d, Structural, or Organic. Chief among the former we have Palpitation, Syncope or Fainting, and Angina Pectoris. In a structure so complex, and formed of such different tissues as the Heart is, one might expect that it would be subject to many diseases of both a general and a partial character; and, accordingly, we find there are few persons who have not had to complain of symptoms which were indicative of Heart affection of some kind, although few, perhaps, really have what may be properly called Heart disease. Strong emotions of the mind, derangements of the liver or stomach, will often cause flutterings and palpitations, an increase or decrease of arterial action, and other symptoms, which would seem to indicate that there was something very wrong with the great organ and centre of circulation; but these symptoms, in a great majority of cases, are merely sympathetic; and very commonly, when a person is said to die of "a bro ken heart," there is no organic disease to justify the popular verdict. Among the principal organic diseases to which the Heart is subject, we may notice first, Pericarditis, or In flammation of the Pericardium, which may be induced by exposure to damp and cold, and other causes which affect the serous membranes of the body generally. The symptoms are tenderness over the region of the Heart, amounting, when pressure is made, to sharp, cutting pains, so that the patient cannot lie on the left side; most commonly the pleura, or invest ing membrane of the lungs, is involved | in the mischief, and in this case, there will be acute pain on coughing or drawing a deep breath; sometimes, however, there is little or no acute pain, only a sense of heaviness and oppression: generally the pulsations are accelerated, often so much so as to constitute flutterings or palpitation: they may be regular or intermittent; although it is not easy to feel this, if, as is frequently the case, there is much effusion into the pericardium; this may be detected by the bulging out of the skin of the thorax over the seat of disease: of the nature of the effusionwhether it be merely thin bloody serum, or thick with coagulated lymph, or fibrous, or containing cartilaginous or osseous deposits can only be determined by auscultation employed by a skilful person. Pericarditis is one of the most frequent and worst features of acute Rheumatism, CARDITIS, or Inflammation of the Heart, sometimes occurs, and here, although the principal seat of mischief is the muscular tissue of the organ itself, yet its investing membrane is generally implicated more or less, and the same symptoms are presented as those just described, although it is likely to be in an aggravated degree, It would be useless to prescribe any general plan of treatment in these cases, as this must depend very much upon the peculiarities which they present, and the temperament and condition of the patient. Of course, if inflamma tion is quite apparent, low diet and aperients must be the rule; leeches may be applied over the cardiac region, if there is much pain, and especially if accompanied by a pricking or burning sensation; but the lancet should never be used, except by the medical man, who alone can judge of its propriety. Perfect rest, and an avoidance of all excitement, should always be enjoined in this and other cases of Heart disease, ENDOCARDITIS, or Inflammation of the lining membrane of the Heart, is commonly an attendant of the two former discases, or of inflammation of the internal coat of one or more of the principal veins: its chief symptoms are fever and anxiety, with bulging of the præcordial region; it requires, like the others, as a rule, rest and antiphlogistic treatment. Atrophy of the Heart sometimes accompanies a state of general debility; it is a consequence of a deficiency in the supply of blood, and will be pretty sure to terminate in death, Hypertrophy of the Heart, is the result of an excess of nutrition; the nutritive process here appears to go on more rapidly than the absorbent. Fresh matter is deposited before the old is removed, and hence there is an increase in bulk, which interferes with the proper performance of the organic functions. Hearts have been known to increase in this way to more than double their proper size and weight. Hypertrophy is usually divided into three kinds, viz.: simple, eccentric, or aneurismal, and concentric. The first is the least common; in this the parietes, or divisions, are thickened, without any diminution in the capacity of the cavities; the second, most frequent, has the parietes thickened, and the cavity proportionably enlarged; the third, has the cavity diminished, in proportion to the thickening of the walls, Any one of these forms of Hypertrophy may affect a single cavity, or the whole Heart. If the left ventricle is attacked, apoplexy and hæmorrhages sometimes ensue. In this disease, the pulsations are for the most part regular and strong, often visibly raising the bedclothes; the chest is bulged out on the left side, and the sound on percussion dull. Rest, abstinence, sedative medicines, and more or less depletion, according to the circumstances of the case, are the proper remedial measures. It is only by perseverance in this course that any good can be looked for. Dilation of the Heart, is sometimes caused by excessive exertion and strong excitements of any kind; in this case it would seem to be the result of increased action. The whole substance of the organ, or one or more of the cavities or smaller orifices, may be dilated, the walls being merely extended without any increase of substance. In this case, the muscular parietes being thinned and feeble, there will be a want of vigor in the circulation, the muscular compression and extension will be weak and irregular, and the valvular action incomplete, so that the blood will frequently escape out of its proper channels, and these hæmorrhages, although trifling in themselves, will so reduce the patient that he will, probably, be carried off by one of them. Abstinence from the exciting causes of the disease, rest, and nourishing diet, with strict attention to the general state of the health, are the means to be taken in this case. Disease of the Valves, so commonly follows Endocarditis, if of long continuance, that it may almost be considered as a chronic form of that disease; it is a thickening of the internal lining of the Heart, especially at the valves; it becomes not merely thickened uniformly, but is the seat of warty excrescences, and even cartilaginous and osseous formations of considerable size, extending into the cavities of the Heart. In old persons, and especially those addicted to a generous mode of living, we most frequently meet with ossification, the effects of which are sanguineous and serous congestion, difficulty of breathing, apo plectic seizures, and other symptoms of embarrassed circulation. Nervous, or Spasmodic affections of the Heart, are met with most frequently in women who are suffering from anæmia, chlorosis, hysteria, etc., and in men of a quick, irritable tem perament naturally, or rendered so by the free use of stimuli, or an unrestrained indulgence of the passions, and irregularities which seriously interfere with the working of this delicate piece of machinery, whose stoppage must cause instant death. Palpitation of the Heart has been experienced by most persons who have run themselves out of breath, or by any violent exertion caused a great increase of action in the respiratory and circulatory organs. In a healthy and proper state, we are not generally sensible of the regular beat, beat, of the pulse, which goes on night and day, whether we sleep or wake, and tells that the great organ of vitality is duly performing its office; but when, from any cause, these beats become unusually frequent, and forcible, we both feel and hear them, in a very troublesome and distressing manner; and especially is this the case when the bodily strength has been reduced, and the nervous sensibility increased by sickness; sometimes the pulsations are loud and clear and regular, at others they are faint and intermittent; now a distinct throb or several, and then a tremulous flutter, or a quick beat. When there is violent throbbing of the Heart, which may be felt by a hand pressed upon the chest, while the patient is himself unconscious of it, there is reason to apprehend or ganic disease; but when there is such acute consciousness as we have described, there is generally only functional, or nervous derangement, without any structural change. A disordered stomach may be the cause, although there may be no other symptoms of this: we have known cases in which a very slight irregu larity in the mode of living has pro but of a cordial nature, something like this:-Pill of Aloes and Myrih, and Compound Galbanum Pill, of each a dram; divide into 12 pills, and take one at bedtime. Compound Infusion of Senna and Decoction of Aloes, of each 3 ounces; Spirits of Sal Volatile, 1 dram; Compound Tincture of Cardamums, 2 drams; Tartrate of Potash, ounce; mix, and take two tablespoonfuls occasionally, duced Palpitation of the Heart, and that, too, in an otherwise healthy person. In some, almost any strong nervous stimulant will produce it, and we recollect one instance in which it always came on after a cup of tea, and was never troublesome when this beverage was not taken: we mention this to show that Palpitation is not always, nor indeed conimonly, symp tomatic of Heart disease, and need therefore cause no unnecessary alarm, HEARTBURN is a sense of uneasialthough its frequent recurrence should ness at the pit of the stomach, from set the patient inquiring as to what whence it ascends, with acid eructais the real cause. Young women tions and a burning heat, into the with whom there is derangement of throat. Sometimes it is accompanied the menstrual functions, in whom the by faintness, nausea, and vomiting, blood is watery and poor, wanting and commonly by what is termed the red corpuscles; the listless, the Water-brash, and the mouth becoming pallid, the hysterical, in these we filled with a limpid fluid from the meet with Palpitation in its most stomach, the upper orifice of which is aggravated forms; as also in the in-called cardis, from its being the seat of dolent, the susceptible, and the delicate; those who dwell on morbid fancies, and excite the imagination with sensual thoughts, or horrible pictures to such every beat of the pulse seems like a call from the world of spirits, every flutter and palpitation like a brush from the wings of the angel of death, or the whispering voice of an accusing conscience. In these cases the only treatment likely to be of service must be directed towards removing the predisposing and exciting causes, and establishing a more healthful nervous condition gentle exercise, tonics, change of air and scene, an endeavor to occupy the mind in some useful and moral pursuit, a well regulated and generally frugal, although sufficiently nourishing diet, and a strict avoidance of all that can excite or stimulate either mind or body. By this means Palpitations, not connected with organic disease, may generally be got rid of If the patient is of a full habit, and has a tolerably strong pulse, bleeding or cupping may perhaps be resorted to with advantage; but this should be cautiously done. In such, too, a course of gentle purgatives may be necessary; they should not be salines, the Heart; it is especially liable to be disturbed by any irritating causes, and such disturbance we term Heartburn or Cardialgia, Anything which do ranges the functions of the stomach will be likely to cause this indigestible food, especially butter and cheese, or fat and oil of whatsoever kind; so also will strong mental emotion and pregnancy, in the latter months of which there is usually more or less Heartburn. The best remedies are alkalies, combined with mild aperients, such as Magnesia, or Tartrate of Soda and Rhubarb. If there is much flatulency, Gregory's Powder, in dram doses, is good; and where the pain is great, about 5 drops of Laudanum may be taken with each dose, In obstinate cases, a leech or two, or a succession of small blisters, to the pit of the stomach, will probably be use ful; but the main thing is a well regu lated and simple diet, and avoidance of the offending substances; no ale, beer, nor wine, but a little brandy and water at dinner; gentle exercise, and the treatment directed under the head of Dyspepsia. The Pulse. As the Heart is the great central organ of circulation, and Sympathizes with all the changes which guage, Hepatitis; in this disease we have suspension of the secretion altogether, and a softening or hardening of the substance of the Liver, or the formation of abscesses, according to the degree and nature of the disease. Active Congestion of the Liver may be a consequence of an irritated the retention in the blood of the materials which ought to have been taken up by the kidneys, the skin, or some other excretory organ; or it may be owing to the pressure of too much carbonaceous matter in the food; or there may be some local cause, some organic disease of the Liver itself. Either of these will tend to an excessive secretion of bile, and cause what are called bilious disorders of the stomach. take place in the system at large, it follows that the Pulse must be an important guide to those whose investigations are directed to the discovery of the ailments which cause functional and other derangements. All should, therefore, make themselves acquainted with the language of the Pulse, which may easily be felt by the fore and mid-state of its tissues, owing, probably, to dle fingers, pressed slightly on the upper and under side of the wrist, about an inch above the lower joint of the thumb, where the pulsating artery lies. The beats may then be distinctly counted, and a little practice will render the detection of any irregularity or difference of force easy. With a healthy man, in the prime of life, there will be about seventy-two beats in a minute, that is supposing him to be quiet and unexcited. Any great bodily exertion, or mental emotion, will render the pulse more rapid. With children, where there is a great activity both of body and mind, the arterial action will be accelerated. We give the above as a general average. Age has a great influence in the frequency of the pulse. M. Quetelet gives the following as a scale of averages: At birth, 136 per minute; at 5 years old, 88; at from 10 to 15 years, 78; at from 15 to 25 years, 69; at from 25 to 30 years, 71; at from 30 to 56 years, 70. - LIVER. This is the largest glandular apparatus in the body, and one of its most important offices is to secrete the bile. Having this important duty to perform, it is of the utmost consequence that the Liver should be kept free from disturbing agencies, so that it may be in a proper condition for the discharge of its functions. The evil to which it is most liable is a disturbance of its circulation, causing either active or passive congestion, both of which are by no means uncommon conditions of the organ; in the former case, there will be an increase in the flow of bile; in the latter case, probably a decrease, or an altered state of the secretion. Sometimes an inflammation of the organ occurs; this is most common in hot climates; it is called, in scientific lan Passive Congestion of the Liver is usually the result of some mechanical impediment to the due supply of blood to the organ, or to its return from thence; the mischief may be an impeded action of the heart, or a defective operation of the functions of the lungs; or it may be caused by continued pressure upon the seat of the Liver, such as results from leaning at a desk, or remaining in a stooping position; persons of sedentary habits are likely to be affected in this way. It may be merely what is called sluggish Liver;" there is a diminution in the quantity of the bile, but no alteration of its quality. In the more severe forms of Passive Congestion, however, the bile, after its secretion has been suspended for a time, becomes acrid and plentiful, causing, when it passes into the intestines, much constitutional disturbance. The symptoms of Congestion are generally great uneasiness in the right side, and a dull, heavy pain near to the shoulder-blade of that side; if active, as before observed, the bile will be plentiful, coloring the evacuations, and producing often a bitter taste in the mouth, and leading sometimes to Jaundice; if passive, there is also the same uneasiness and pain in the region of the Liver, with a diminished flow of |