During the catarrhal stage, which, however, was very mild compared
with last year, I derived great benefit from the administration of
codeine, in combination with terpine hydrate, in the pill form. The
codeine has the advantage over all other opium preparations that it
does not affect the digestive organs, and still acts in a soothing
manner. While during last year's sickness my patients lost from ten to
twenty pounds of their bodily weight, this year but one lost eight
pounds and the other five pounds.

As the etiology of this troublesome disease is yet enveloped in
obscurity, we may fairly conclude, by the success of my treatment, if
it should meet with the confirmation of the profession, that the much
pretended sensitive area, situated, according to Dr. Sajous, "at the
posterior end of the inferior turbinated bones and the corresponding
portion of the septum," or, according to Dr. John Mackenzie, who
locates this area "at the anterior extremity of the inferior
turbinated bone," need not necessarily be removed or destroyed by
cautery, in order to accomplish a cure of hay fever proper.

I examined my patients twice a week, and the closest rhinoscopical
exploration would not reveal the slightest pathological change in the
mucous membrane of the nares.

Now, what is the etiological factor of the disease? Is it a specific
germ conveyed by the air to the parts and--_locus minoris
resistencia_--deposited at the pretended area, or is the germinal
matter present in the nasal mucous membrane with certain persons, and
requires only at a certain time and under certain conditions
physiological stimulation to manifest periodical pathological changes,