In some delicate and highly sensitive persons, a kind of struggle is sometimes excited when the respiration becomes very difficult.[76] Dr. Ferriar says he has known this effort proceed so far, that the patient a very few minutes before death, has started out of bed, and stood erect for a moment. He ascribed it to apprehension and alarm, and adds: “Those who resign themselves quietly to their feelings seem to fare best.” This is probably true, but the sufferer needs whatever relief art can supply; and ether and opium is the most likely to give it. * * * * * Hiccup is somewhat alleviated by a sinapism to the epigastrium, and a spoonful of aniseed water swallowed slowly. But if it is severe, shaking the patient, and so adding greatly to his distress, we must rely on opium given internally, and its application externally to the pit of the stomach. If hiccup seems to be due, as it often is, to an overloaded and distended stomach, and the influence of opium is needed, the hypodermic injection of morphia is to be preferred. * * * * * Inquietude and restlessness, especially in the half-conscious dying person, is often due to a distended bladder, and is at once quieted by the catheter. In others, it is due to the weight of the bedclothes, and is relieved by lightening them. * * * * * Coldness of the feet is best met by a foot warmer; and not by thick, heavy bed clothing, which distresses the sufferer and gives rise to inquietude and restlessness. “Weak patients,” says Miss Nightingale, and the dying as much or more so than others, “are invariably distressed by a great weight of bedclothes.” Light Whitney blankets should alone be used for coverings under such circumstances. But I am not sure that coldness of the extremities does always add to the sufferings of the dying, or needs the consideration usually given to it. The diminished circulation on which it depends is attended, for the most part, in the dying by proportionate loss of sensibility; and besides it is especially when the feet and legs are cold, sodden, and dank, that we observe that impatience of any covering upon them--that tossing about and exposure of them to the air--which I have before described. * * * * *