Download - CORRESPONDENTS,

Transcript
Page 1: CORRESPONDENTS,

416

following day reached its height, the aspectof the patient indicating great distress,but, above all, there was a peculiar rest-lessness and impatience, not easily to be des-cribed, but, once seen, immediately recog-nizable as characteristic of the epidemic,accompanied by an appearance of restless-ness in some, of despondency in others.

There has generally been considerableheat and thirst, with the tongue usuallyred, rather moist, streaked with white, andcontracted, in the simple and mixed forms ;in the typhoid, dry, red, and glazed. Thebowels have been invariably confined, and,free from pain and tenderness. The urine

has sometimes been high coloured, but morecommonly of its ordinary tinge and quan-tity ; its passage rarely accompanied by anyuneasiness.

The favourable termination of the diseasehas been indicated by the diminution, orcessation, of the pain in the side, and theoccurrence, in several patients, of an her-petic eruption on the face, especially aboutthe mouth; and desquamation, chiefly of theforearms and hands ; in a less degree, of the.face, and occasionally extending over thewhole body. On the hands, a peculiarmottled appearance was sometimes observed,synchronous with the desquamation. Thetongue now also presented a bright cherry-red colour, and a moist appearance, fromthe removal of the epithelium.The number of patients whom we have

observed, has amounted to thirty-two, or

about two-thirds of all who have, during thesame period, presented themselves for medi-cal relief. Of these, eight cases have beenmild, ten severe, six very severe, and ninetyphoid.

The treatment has depended entirely onthe form of the disease, and the period ofattack. In the milder varieties, an expect-ant plan, consisting of gentle aperients andlow diet, is all that has been found neces-sary. In four of the severe cases, attendedby most acute pain in the side and qnickpulse, moderate bleeding, of from vii to xiiounces was attended with great relief; andin a fifth, leeches were applied to the feet,with a similar result. The administration,in this form, of calomel and ipecacuanha, tothe extent of from three to six grains of each,daily, was attended with decided benefit.In three, where the nervous symptoms werevery urgent, and no pain in the head waspresent, after bleeding, the prescription offive grains of calomel, with a grain of ipeca-cuanha, and a quarter of a grain of hydro-chloride of morphine, followed by half anounce of castor oil on the next morning, wasattended with the desired result. Blisters, inthe last mentioned form of the epidemic,were, in the advanced stages, powerfulauxiliaries; in all, aperients were indis-

pensable.In the case of swelled fauces mentioned

above, the removal, with the finger, of theviscid secretion, was found of great benefit,and the administration of an active purga-tive ellected a speedy recovery. In the ty-phoid form, the exhibition of wine, earlyindicated by a rapid aud failing pulse, wassuccessful in five cases.

Up to the commencement of this epideminotwithstanding the variable state of the wea-ther, the number of diseases which could betraced, more or less directly, to atmosphe-rical causes, was considerably less than in1836, few cases of typhus gravior occurring,—a disease which prevailed most severelyin this locality last year, and none attendedby the dotted red appearance of the armsand chest, which then invariably marked theonset of that disorder. .

As regards farther observation on thetreatment, we would particularly draw at-tention to the distinctions which exist be-tween the three forms. The detection ofthese in the outset of the disorder is of con-sequence. In no case can the treatment ofone variety be substituted during a singleday for that of another, without compromis-ing the safety of the patient. The necessityof remembering the constitution of the sea-son, so justly enforced by SYDENHAM, is par-ticularly evident in the typhoid type, inwhich even the most moderate venesection,practised at its earliest period, would he at-tended by immediate and perilous prostra-tion. It is equally necessary, however, asthat great observer has also warned us, toguard against passing into the opposite ex-treme ; for many cases occur where the em-ployment of ataodenate retiesectiait is not onlyuseful but indispensable.The average duration of the disease has

been from twelve to sixteen days, and a de-cided prognosis could generally be given atabout the seventh or eighth day.

CORRESPONDENTS,F. C. Beyond doubt the nutrient appara-

tus of the body has the power of convertingthe substance in question into nutriment, butwe consider that it ranks very low as whole-some food in the sealf of provender; and, ifeaten in large quantities, or by some personseven in very small, it will prove a source ofdiscomfort and disease. Much valuable in-formatiou on the subject of the digestivepowers will be found in THE LANCET forMay 14,1836, pp. 293,294. With regard tothe question on the bath, the opinion enter-tained by F. C. may be regarded as generallycorrect. There may often, however, occurexceptions to the rule, and the proceedingmight prove to be very injurious in very coldweather; but we doubt if a person thus suf-fering should take the bath at all as a reme-dial measure.The letter of A Medical Student is too

long; but if we extract from it the humour,his purpose will be served, - -

Top Related