CHAPTER IX.
DIETETICS AND THERAPEUTICS--( CONTINUED).
As additional illustrations I shall now state a few cases of my own, without entering into minute details of treatment.
The following case is reported by Dr.John Keating, who watched it with care throughout: P.D., male, aet.

53, after more than thirty years of close attention to business, which severely tried both mental and physical endurance, found himself, in January, 1877, at the close of some months of gradually increasing feebleness, absolutely unable to fulfil his usual duties, and the most alarming symptoms manifested themselves.

There was a remarkable loss of nervous and muscular force; his limbs refused their support; his appetite failed; the recollection of ordinary phrases involved distinct and painful effort; sleep became unattainable, except under the influence of powerful narcotics, and even that brief slumber was rendered valueless by the incessant convulsive twitching of the muscles.
His physician prescribed iron and strychnia; ordered an immediate abandonment of all business, and instant departure to a point where telegraph-wires were unknown and mails infrequent.

He went at once to the Bahamas, passing a month in that delicious climate in absolute inaction; more than another month was consumed in slowly returning; but, though some flesh had been gained, there was only a trifling improvement in the nervous condition.
May 1, 1877, Dr.Mitchell examined Mr.P.D.The patient was sallow and emaciated, and coughed every few moments.

He had night-sweats, nervous twitching, and slight dulness on percussion at the apex of the right lung, with prolonged expiration and roughened inspiration, and some increase of vocal resonance.
Mr.P.D.was allowed to be out of bed once a day four hours, and to spend one hour at his place of business.