The action of medicines in the system, or, On the mode in which therapeutic agents introduced into the stomache produce their peculiar effects on the animal economy : being the prize essay to which the Medical Society of London awarded the Fothergillian Gold Medal for MDCCCLII / by Frederick William Headland.

  • Headland, Frederick William
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The action of medicines in the system, or, On the mode in which therapeutic agents introduced into the stomache produce their peculiar effects on the animal economy : being the prize essay to which the Medical Society of London awarded the Fothergillian Gold Medal for MDCCCLII / by Frederick William Headland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Quinine with impunity; while others are unfavourably affected by the smallest dose. Dr. Pfeufer, of Heidelberg, recommends to administer it in Ague in a single large dose, some time before the paroxysm. Quina is given in Typhoid fever by some practitioners. It is then also prescribed in very large doses, which are to be con- tinually repeated. It has been used in malignant Cholera, apparently with advantage. It is perhaps at all times advisable to arrange so that the medicine shall, if possible, be taken after meals, for it is less likely to irritate a full stomach. And when it is thought proper to give it to a patient in fever, a small dose of Tartar Emetic or Ipecacuanha should be conjoined with it—not, of course, sufficient to produce vomiting, but so that an increase of the febrile excitement may be prevented. Quinine is in all cases better tolerated by the stomach when the dose is considerably diluted with water. When given in Cholera, it is best to prescribe ten-grain doses every hour, di- luted with half a pint or a pint of cold water, and acidulated with Citric acid. A combination of Quinine and Iron is often of great service in feeble and relaxed conditions, where there is co-existent Anaemia. Quina (the pure alkaloid)«ds soluble in Cod-liver oil, and may often be given with advantage in conjunction with it. IRO]*. Class I. Div. I. Ord. V. Chalybeata. It has been shown, in the article on Chalybeates, that the action of Iron is of a distinctly Restorative nature. There is in the blood a red colouring matter, called Hsema- tosin. It is found by chemical analysis, that Iron is an essen- tial part of this substance. The existence of the right amount of Haematosin in the blood is of vital importance. It is con- tained in the red globules of the blood. When it is diminished