Some of the respiratory neuroses are greatly benefited by chloral. The paroxysms of spasmodic asthma may be arrested by it, and the spasmodic attacks of difficult breathing which accompany emphysema may be decidedly ameliorated by timely doses of chloral. It must not be forgotten, however, that the use of chloral is not unattended with danger in pulmonary diseases with ischaemia of the arterial system. In the spasmodic stage of whooping-cough, great relief to the paroxysms may be obtained by the use of this agent. From five to ten grains will generally be a suitable quantity for administration in these cases. Impending attacks of laryngismus stridulus may be prevented, and seizures already in action can be quickly arrested, by a full dose of chloral—five to fifteen grains.

We have no remedy more effective in tetanus than chloral, but it must be given in large doses. Nocturnal attacks of epilepsy may not infrequently be prevented by a full dose of chloral at bedtime. In paralysis agitans, good effects have been attained by hypnotic doses at bedtime. Chloral is a physiological antagonist to strychnine, and may, therefore, be used with advantage in poisoning by this substance.

Chloral is not infrequently prescribed to relieve pain, but under a mistaken notion of its physiological powers. It can only relieve pain by suspending the functions of the cerebrum, and in doses, therefore, which are dangerous. It has no direct pain-relieving power, like morphine. When pain is to be relieved and sleep procured, the combination of chloral and morphine is extremely effective. Although chloral does not directly suspend the functions of the sensory nerves, it relieves certain kinds of pain due to irregular or over action of unstriped muscular fibers. Very great relief is afforded by chloral to the irregular pains of the first stage of labor, which cause suffering but do not advance the case—the so-called "nagging pains," in popular obstetric language. Rigidity of the os uteri and soft parts may be corrected by the timely administration of chloral, and exhaustion may be prevented by giving it in such a way as to suspend irregular uterine action and to procure sleep. After-pains are stopped by chloral. In all these cases of obstetric diseases, large doses are generally required.

A solution of chloral is an excellent antiseptic application to foul wounds: it destroys the odor of putrefaction, arrests fermentative changes, and promotes the formation of healthy granulations. It may be used to preserve anatomical preparations and morbid specimens. A weak solution of chloral (gr. j to grs. iv— oz j) is an excellent injection in gonorrhoea.

Equal parts of chloral and camphor, triturated together, form a clear fluid, which is often of great service in neuralgia, applied to the affected part. It is painted lightly over the surface with a camel's-hair brush, and is allowed to dry on. It is said to allay spasmodic cough when painted over the larynx. The solution of camphor and chloral thus prepared has decided solvent properties. Morphine sulphate will dissolve in it in the proportion of a scruple to two drachms, and chloroform can then be added without a separation of the ingredients. A mixture thus prepared is a very effective local application in superficial neuralgiae, and as an internal remedy in colic, cholera-morbus, cholera, etc.

Authorities referred to:

Amort, Dr. Robert. The New York Medical Journal, vol. xv, p. 606. Andrews, Dr. J. B. The Physiological Action and Therapeutic Use of Chloral, Utica. N. Y., 1871.

Browne, Lennox. The British Medical Journal, March 7, 1874, p. 304.

Da Costa, Dr. J. M. Clinical Notes on Chloral. American Journal of Medical Sciences, April, 1870, p. 359.

Demarquay, M. Notes sur le Chloral. Bulletin de Thérapeutique, vol. lxxvii, p. 807.

Husemann, Dr. Theod. Handbuch der gesammten Arzneimittellehre, zweiter Band, p. 1088.

Keen, Dr. W. W. The Anatomical, Pathological, and Surgical Uses of Chloral. American Journal of Medical Sciences, July, 1875.

Liebreich, Dr. Oscar. Das Chloralhydrat, ein neues Hypnoticum und Anaestheticum, und dessen Anwendung in der Medicin, zweite Auflage, Berlin, 1869.

Lange, Dr. Ueber die Wirkung des Chloralhydrat. Berliner klinische Wochenschrifl, No. 10, 1870.

Personne and Bouchut, MM. The Medical Times and Gazette, vol. xi, 1869, p. 605.

Richardson, Dr. B. W. On the Physiological Actions of Chloral. The Medical Times and Gazette, vol. xi, 1869.

Reynolds, Dr. J. Russell. The Practitioner, vol. iv, p. 188, March, 1870.

Tomaszewicz, A. Die Wirkungen des Chloral und der Trichloressigsäure. Archiv für Physiologie, ix, p. 35, Mai, 1874. Schmidt's Jahrbücher, No. 8, 1874.

Wells, Mr. Spencer. On Hydrate of Chloral and its Use in Practice. The Medical Times and Gazette, vol. xi, 1869.