HAY-FEVER

Syn. Hay-asthma , Catarrh us æstivas . Dr Aitken defines this affection as “a variety of asthma or catarrh, occurring generally during the summer months, especially during the inflorescence of the hay crop, or during the drying or conversion of the newly-mown gra into hay, in May and June.” The disease is distinguished by extreme irritation of the eyes, nose, and the whole of the air-pa ages, these symptoms giving rise in succe ion to troublesome itching of the eyes and nose, frequent paroxysms of sneezing, with copious discharge from the nostrils, pricking sensation in the throat, cough, tightne of the chest and difficulty of breathing, accompanied sometimes with, and sometimes without, great mucous expectoration. The inhalation of the powder of ipecacuanha sets up similar symptoms with some persons. Dr Aitken’s definition of hay-fever seems to point to what is pretty generally accepted as its cause, viz. the inhalation of minute and impalpable emanations from certain gra es given off during the period of their flowering and subsequent conversion into hay. This supposition as to the origin of this disease derives support from the circumstance, that it always takes place during the hay season, and at no other; and also that it may be cured by the avoidance of hay-fields and hay-stacks. “Hence going to the sea-coast, and especially to those parts of the coast that are barren of gra , offers a means of protection; and when this cannot be done, such persons obtain refuge in some measure from the cause of irritation, by remaining within doors and shutting out as much as po ible the external air during the hay-crop.” [345] [345] Sir Thomas Watson. Furthermore, those whom the disease attacks are not particularly subject to catarrh at other times. Treatment. —Numerous remedies have been proposed and employed for hay-asthma. Dr Elliotson suggests the mild fumigation of the patient’s apartment by means of the solutions of the chlorides of lime or soda; and further advised the sufferers using a smelling bottle containing one or the other of the chlorides. He also employed with succe the sulphate of quinine and iron. Mr Gordon recommends the tincture of Lobelia in flat a , with the use of the cold shower-bath. Tincture of nux vomica is also said to have been used with good results, as also has Fowler’s solution of arsenic, with very decided advantage, by Dr Mackenzie. These potent remedies, however, should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. An esteemed medical friend a ures us he has employed the new remedy, Quinetum (the alkaloid of the East India red bark), with the happiest effects. He gives four grains of the quinetum three times a day. The use of an ori-nasal respirator of cotton wool has also been suggested. Great relief has, we know, in a great number of cases, been experienced by snuffing from a smelling bottle containing the following ingredients:— Pure crystallised carbolic acid, 1 dr.; sesquicarbonate of ammonia, 1 oz.; wood charcoal, 1 oz.; oil of lavender, 1 ⁄ 2 dr.; compound tincture of benzoin, 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; all reduced to fine powder, and thoroughly mixed.