EDMUND CARLETON, M. D.
Patient was a middle aged gentleman, light complexion, of sanguine temperament, active, having rather feeble digestion. Attacks came on suddenly, commonly about 3 A.M. Suffocation would seem imminent. At length, with one tremendous effort, while sitting bent forward, a little air would be forced into the lungs in spite of the epiglottis, with a noise that could be heard a quite a distance. After expiring the air thus obtained, the next effort at inspiration would be a trifle more successful, and so on until restoration occurred.
These attacks were fatiguing and depressing, and a cure was greatly to be desired. After patient examination, the following symptoms were obtained:-unhappy, idea that he was pursued by enemies in business, no desire to live; scalp sensitive to touch; humming, throbbing in ears; saliva found upon pillow in morning; longing for whisky, Rhine wine, coffee; great thirst for cold water; gastric symptoms after milk or tea; stomach sore to touch; pale urine, often voided; flesh sore to touch, pain increasing gradually; could not bear the slightest draught of air; inclined to sweat at night, during sleep.
The remedy given was Cinchona, 200th, in water, a teaspoonful every 2 hours until improvement should be noticed. The first solution was effectual.
