Wilkinson's botanico-medical practice : in six parts / by G.E. Wilkinson.

  • Wilkinson, G. E.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Wilkinson's botanico-medical practice : in six parts / by G.E. Wilkinson. 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 the patient's weakness and morbid irritability, but that the existing disease in the liver becomes more extensive and invete- rate. lb. page 172. Graham.— When I recall to mind the numerous cases of ru- ined . health from the excessive employment of mercury, that have, come to my own knowledge, and reflect on the additional proofs of its ruinous operations which still daily present them- selves, I cannot forbear regarding it, as commonly exhibited, as a minute instrument of mighty mischief, which, instead of convey- ing health and strength to the diseased and enervated, is made to scatter widely the seeds of disease and debility of the worst kind, among persons of every age and condition. Indigestion, page 132. There is not in the materia medica another article which so immediately and permanently, and to so great a degree debili- tates the stomach and bowels, as calomel; yet this is the medi- cine which is prescribed and sent for on every occasion. Its action on the nervous system is demonstrative of its being an article inimical to the human constitution ; since what medicine besides, in frequent use, excites feelings so horrible and indescri- bable as calomel, and other preparations of mercury? An ex- cessively peevish, irritable and despondent state of mind, is a well known consequent of a single exhibition of this substance. lb. page 134. Dr. Alley says, he has seen the mercurial eruption appear over the entire body of a boy about seven years old, for whom but three grains of calomel had been prescribed effectually as a purgative.—Obs. on Hydrargyria, page 40. Abernethy.— Persons who are salivated, have, as far as I have remarked, the functions of the liver and the digestive or- gans constantly disturbed by that process.—Sur. Ob. page 77. Blackall.— On the schirrus or tuberculated state of the liver 1 have seldom seen mercury make any [good] impression. But I have seen the mercurial habit superadded by continual salivation, and then the disorder becomes more complicated, and more speedily fatal.—Dropsies, page 70. Farre.—« Patients laboring under chronic enlargements of the liver, are not, so far as I have observed, benefitted by the opera-
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