Modern domestic medicine ... to which is added a domestic materia medica / [Thomas J. Graham].

  • Thomas John Graham
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Modern domestic medicine ... to which is added a domestic materia medica / [Thomas J. Graham]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    644/672 (page 626)
    the internal membrane of the joint, called synovial membrane, which secretes the lubricating fluid of the joint,—an inflamma- tion of this membrane, of a peculiar character,—and a state of chronic disease in the joint, supervening an attack of healthy acute inflammation, which, from neglect, or improper treatment, has degenerated into an unhealthy indolent complaint. TREATMENT.—This disease is universally acknowledged to be of a serious nature, often difficult of cure, and always requiring great attention and perseverance. Here, trifling is certainly followed by the loss of the limb, or the destruction of life; and the use of half-measures, or a want of perseverance in the employment of the most effectual remedies, never fail to disappoint the patient, and aggravate the disease. In treating white-swelling, it must not be forgotten, that it is a disease of debility, occurring mostly in delicate constitutions, and will, therefore, require the persevering use of those means which are capable of restoring firmness and health to the general system, as well as of those which are more directly calculated to arrest the progress of the local injury. I am desirous of impressing this view of the treatment on the mind of the sufferer, from being fully persuaded of its correctness and importance, and because I think it is too often overlooked. Local measures are of the utmost consequence, but general means, of an invigo- rating nature, must be resorted to at the same time, and it is from this union, and from this alone in the majority of instances, that we can reasonably hope to conduct the complaint to a favourable issue. ]n my opinion, one of the best plans of treatment that can be suggested, is, to cover the knee with a poultice made of sea-tang, or the common sea-weed containing small bladders filled with a glutinous matter, bruised ; to take a tea-spoonful of the alkaline solution (page 2), thrice a day, in milk and water, or mild beer to keep the bowels regular by diet, and the occasional use of the pill, No, 92, page 104, or No. Ill, page 108; and to allow a generous mild diet, consisting chiefly of animal food, eggs, biscuit, good malt liquor, and white wine. At the same time, the patient must have the advantage of a pure country air, and as much of it as can possibly be taken without exercising the affected limb ; and he must retire and rise early, and sleep on a mattress. This poultice should be renewed twice a day, and at each removal, the joint should be fomented with a strong solution of salt and water, used luke- warm. A generous diet is highly proper, but care must be exercised never to load the stomach, or to take any indigestible * Not long since, I met with a little boy, the son of an eminent surgeon in Bristol, who had lately suffered severely from white-swelling, but was then re- covering. after having taken this alkali with much benefit.