A New Culture Medium for the Gonococcus: (Preliminary Note.)
Authors: D. Thomson
Journal: BMJ (1917)

TuBT 86g that the hypersensitiveness is at that part.Probably it is, as has been previouslv observed, central in tlle main.Silver nitrate solution suagested itself because it is con- monly used in irritative conditions of the bigher parts of the respiratory apparatus, and because it leaves a coating of silver chloride or albuminate, and so its action is prolonged.A fairly acute reaction follows the application, as would be expected, and thle breathing is somewlhat laboured for a day or two, during whiclh the patienut is kept in bed.From the short notes of tlhe cases treated, whichl are appended, it will be seen tllat the metlhod is worthy of an extended trial.Indeed in several of the cases, and those severe, the results have been surprisingly good-quite, I am bound to say, beyond my cxpectation.CASE I.Male, aged 44.Severe spasmodic asthma of many years' duration.Has had various forms of treatment, iiliuding resi- dence abroad, but without benefit.Lately the attacks have been more frequent and very severe, occurring every night and often requiring morphiine.He came under my care two years ago.He was then treated by the method described and the treatment was repeated on four occasions, the last being over ten months ago.At that time he reported that he had not had such a good year for years.Now lhe reports that he hlas been practically free from asthma for the past year.He is btusily engaged in Government work, and once-he had to pass tihrough a workshop where there were gas fumes, and, as a result, he lhad a slight attack of asthlma, whichi is thie only one he has badl in the period.His general appearance reflects the improvement in his asthma. CASE II.Male, aged 53.Frequent asthmatic attacks, especially in frosty weather.He was treated oni onie occasiou eigh7teen months ago.Tlje interesting point in his case was the discovery of a web formatioin in the shape of a firm band at tlhe entrance to the right bronchus.He reports that-his asthma has not benefited. CASE IIr.Male, aged 10.Bronchial asthma.This boy had severe bronchial astbma -for--several years.There was no nasal or nasopharvngeal 'abnormal condition.Treated under chloro- form more than a year ago.The mucous membrane of the bronchi, especially of the left, was oedematous.There was trouble witlh the aniaesthetic and the applications of the silver nitrate wvere not so systematically carried out.For some time afterwards the breathing was better and lie had no definite asthmatic attack, -but now the asthma has returnecl.His father was advised to britng him back to have the treatmenit repeated, but has failed to do so. CASE IV.Male, aged 35.This man, a railway employee, had suffered from severe spasmodic asthma for years.He had been treated in various ways, by nasal cauterization among others, but without benefit.Latterly he had become so much worse that he was rendered unfit for work for about a week every montlh and was in danger of losing his post.More than a year ago he was treated by this method, the applications being made on two occasions with an interval of a week.He reports that with the exception of one attack, which kept him away from work for a day, he has been quite free from asthma.He certainly looks much irmproved in health. CASE V.Female, aged 24.First seen August 18th, 1916.During the previous four months she had hadl an attacic of severe si-2smodic asthma every fortnighit.Treated September 15th.She reports that she lhas been quite free from asthma sinice. CASE VI.Female, aged 53.Bronchial asthma of some years' duration.Successfully operated on for riglht maxillary antral disease, but without benefit to the asthma.Treated September 15tl.This was followe(d by a somewhat prolonged, though not severe, bronchial attack.She reports that she has been free from asthma for months.CASE VII.