Volume 1

Medical portrait gallery : biographical memoirs of the most celebrated physicians, surgeons, etc., etc., who have contributed to the advancement of medical science / by Thomas Joseph Pettigrew.

Date:: [1838-1840]

Credit: Medical portrait gallery : biographical memoirs of the most celebrated physicians, surgeons, etc., etc., who have contributed to the advancement of medical science / by Thomas Joseph Pettigrew. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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$8. (Vol. X. p. 1.) Account of the liheumatic Injiammation of the Eye, with Observations on the Treatment of the Disease. Rheumatic ophthal- mia will not admit of active depletion, like to ordinary inflammation of the eye. Mr. W. has found the greatest advantage to arise from the evacuation of the aqueous humour, and the internal exhibition of small doses of cinchona. The paper contains an excellent description of the local and constitutional symptoms characterizing the disease. 9. (Vol. X. p. 273.) Some Observations on a Mode of performing Operations on Irritable Patients. This method consists in bleeding to syncope; a practice, perhaps, in a few cases admissible, but in the majority of instances likely to prove prejudicial to recovery. It should be observed, that Mr. W. does not recommend it for indiscriminate adoption. 10. (Vol. XII. p. 205.) Case of a Wounded Nerve of the Thumb. A partial division of a nerve is not unfrequently followed by distressing symptoms, which receive relief by a complete incision of the wounded part. I'his case strongly exemplifies the fact. To the second volume of the Transactions of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh, Mr. W. contributed an Account of the Exanthe- matous Ophthalmia. This has generally been confounded with scrofulous ophthalmia; but it is perfectly distinct, and is always either accompanied or preceded by some eruptive disease—in the former case most frequently behind the ears, and in the latter succeeding to measles, scarlet fever, &c. Mr. W. gives a particular account of the symptoms characterising it, and recom- mends for its treatment, great attention to the condition of the bowels, which are always found to be more or less disordered in these cases. In addition to the various works and separate papers, of w'hich I have now given a brief account, the volumes of the Lancet will be found to contain a variety of miscellaneous papers by Mr. W., I’eports of cases, lectures, &c., which must all be ]>erused with interest. I have not space even to enumerate them; but I must especially direct the attention of the medical reader to those on Bleeding ;* to some Clinical Observations on Various Diseases; and to a Case of Ncevus on the Face, successfully treated by tying the Carotid Artery.\ In this case the naevus was extensive, and dipped into the orbit. The progress of the case under the operation was most favourable, and, ten months after it, nothing remained but the membranous bag which was originally distended with blood This memoir has unavoidably extended to a considerable length, and leaves me only room to express my gratification at the labours of INIr. W. and to wish him every success in the prosecution of his ingenious researches. * Published separately with additions in 1835. [ Vol. X. et seq.$