Manual of therapeutics / by L. Martinet ; translated with alterations and additions, Robert Norton.

  • Louis Martinet
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Manual of therapeutics / by L. Martinet ; translated with alterations and additions, Robert Norton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    of circulation, and the heart, sympathizing with the nervous system, and oppressed with its unusual load, ceases to act. The manner in which this con- dition is removed by heated air has been just stated, and is indeed obvious.] If apoplexy occurs while the stomach is loaded with food, it is best to direct our earliest attention to the more dangerous disease, that is, the affection of the brain, and without delay to abstract blood, especially as this operation will often occasion vomiting, and thus accomplish both objects. The influence of a loaded stomach in producing apoplexy, especially in those advanced in life, is well known. If, however, vomiting should^ not occur, it may be easily provoked by tickling the fauces with a feather; a plan always preferable to the use of emetics, being free from the danger of exciting inflammation in the stomach, or, which is no less to be dreaded, of aug- menting, by reiterated efforts to vomit, that cerebral congestion which it is our great object to diminish ; we may besides order soothing drinks, and simple or purgative injections, so as to evacuate the intes- tinal canal more speedily. • In each of these instances we must be careful not to neglect the state of the bladder, but to assure ourselves that the patient passes his urine freely; otherwise, when there is paralysis of this organ, its contents may remain and accumulate until inflam- mation is excited; besides, the absorption of the urine produces most serious symptoms. After the patient has perfectly regained his con- sciousness through the use of the lancet, we must still recur to it so long as the intellectual faculties, speech, or any of the senses, remain imperfect; and if any pain in the head, however little, remains, (pro- vided the patient be strong and not very old,) it will be prudent even a third time to abstract blood ; and if, after all, some symptoms of cerebral irritation
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