Henry Baird Favill, AB, MD, LL.D., 1860-1916, a ... - University Library

no HENRY BAIRD FAVILL
and various joints, which was wont to recur with much
irregularity.
During all the period and in fact, in a minor degree,
always she has been prone to looseness of the bowels, latterly
amounting at times to diarrhoea, of weeks' duration.
During the course of the various phases, she is liable to
become much reduced, and to be under the general suspicion
of having consumption.
It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of the
elusive and surprising character of this case. It is, however,
typical of conditions which we encounter often less
pronounced. As to its behavior, a word. The two features,
asthma and rheumatism, are very sure to recur in given
circumstances; often recur together. As a rule their exacerbation
is preceded by a disturbance of the digestive
tract, indicated by bloating and discomfort.
If these conditions
continue, diarrhoea is likely to recur, and as it continues,
the distress of breathing, and the pain in the joints,
often are mitigated.
as it
Frequently, however, these two conditions seem to
were, reciprocal, and when the rheumatism is relieved
medicinally, the asthma promptly sets in. The special
dyspnoea above referred to appears quite accidental, is
associated with gas in the stomach and the general accompaniments
of vasomotor spasm. In fact it is an angiospasm
of reflex origin, and usually transient. As I have
indicated, the periods of diarrhoea and profuse bronchial
secretion are liable to afford comparative immunity from
the more painful features.
essentially negative.
Physical examination of this patient is
be,
Besides a moderate senemia and considerable shortage
of urea, the clinical investigations yield no result.
The family history is interesting, and it was great
familiarity with family traits which led me to finally associate
the case as I do.
The mother is of apparently fine physique, but really