This substance, which has been used for some years past as manure, is
found on the coasts of Patagonia—and principally on the Lobos Island
near the coast of Peru. We have proved the different varieties of guano,
and likewise the crystalline particles formed by the condensation of
ammonical vapors which rise from the guano in abundance. Our hope to
discover in these crystals a more active normal agent, has not been
realized, so that, in the end, we have found the freshest possible guano
preferable for medicinal purposes. It is triturated in the same way as
all other substances.
_First day._—1. Internal shuddering for three minutes in the morning.
Violent headache. Pain in the forehead when inclining the head forward,
at 6 o’clock in the morning. Violent itching at the back, and painful
smarting after scratching, at 7 o’clock in the morning. 5. Formication in
the right nasal fossa, at 7 and a half o’clock. Pain with pinching behind
the ears, at 8 o’clock in the morning. Dizziness, objects turn from below
upward, at 9 o’clock in the morning. Nausea with profuse flow of saliva.
Pale face with faint feeling, at noon. 10. Lassitude, at half past two in
the afternoon. Desire to vomit, at half past two in the afternoon. While
eating, pain at the pit of the stomach and desire to vomit. Profuse sweat
all over, after eating. Aching in the forehead and temples, worse when
stooping, at half past three. 15. Pain at the styloid process of the left
wrist. Pain in the lungs which stops the breathing, for three minutes.
Swelling of the right index-finger. Itching of the genital organs. Water
feels extremely cold to the hands, they feel like ice when keeping them
in the water a little longer. 20. Pain at the feet which prevents one
from pressing them to the ground, at 5 o’clock in the evening. Red spot,
with itching at the back, and smarting pain after scratching. Violent
headache as if the head were incased in iron.
_Second day._—Beating at the left commissure of the lips, at 6 o’clock in
the morning. Itching in the right nostril and frequent sneezing, for one
hour, at half past 6 o’clock. 25. Great weakness. She remains at the spot
where she happened to have located herself.
_Third day._—Painful ganglion on the left arm, with redness and itching;
when scratching the arm, it remains insensible until the skin was off;
lasts for half an hour, at 6 o’clock in the morning. Headache: he feels
as if the head were opened, at 8 o’clock in the morning. Smarting
ganglion below the right calf, hindering walking, and lasting until night.
_Fourth day._—30. Nausea, one cannot bear seeing persons eat, at 7
o’clock in the morning. Painful ganglion at the left elbow. Small itching
pimples. Violent beating of the heart; feeble breathing, for five
minutes. Large hard and red place on the back, with pricklings as from a
thousand pins. This sensation commences at 9 o’clock and lasts all night.
_Fifth day._—35. Profuse sweat on the arms and hands; the skin on the
thighs is insensible; a prick is not felt; for two days they are covered
with little pimples. Cramp at the pit of the stomach before eating.
_Sixth day._—Violent pain at the right knee, as though pieces of flesh
would be torn from him, at 7 o’clock in the morning. Burning under the
soles of the feet, she cannot keep her shoes on. Cramp at the left thumb,
for an instant.
_Seventh day._—40. Sensation as if the gums were cut with penknives,
after which they bleed for half on hour, at 6 o’clock in the morning.
Formication in the right nostril, for five minutes, at 10 o’clock.
Sensation of hammering in the nape of the neck, at 3 o’clock in the
afternoon. Pain in the abdomen as if pierced by sharp points, at 9
o’clock in the evening.
_Eighth day._—Tongue white and thickly coated. 45. Bitter bilious taste
in the mouth, at 6 o’clock in the morning. Deep sleep. She dreams that
she is playing with wild beasts.