A dictionary of practical medicine : comprising general pathology, the nature and treatment of diseases ... with numerous prescriptions ... a classification of diseases ... a copious bibliography, with references; and an appendix of approved formulae / ... By James Copland.
- James Copland
- Date:
- 1844-58
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A dictionary of practical medicine : comprising general pathology, the nature and treatment of diseases ... with numerous prescriptions ... a classification of diseases ... a copious bibliography, with references; and an appendix of approved formulae / ... By James Copland. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Lamar Soutter Library, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
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![perfect; and thus increased resistance is opposed to the extension of disease, and to its disorganis- ing effects. All infectious and exanthematous disorders are very prevalent at this age ; and, in addition to the maladies of the mucous surfaces already alluded to, the lymphatic glands, particu- larly those of the abdomen and thorax, are fre- quently the seat of disease ; and worms often begin to form, particularly after the period of lactation. At this age, also, owing to the changes in the infant's food, as well as to the irritation occasioned by dentition, the disorders which ori- ginate in depraved or imperfect digestion and assimilation are especially prevalent, particularly aphthae, rickets, tubercules, marasmus, and tabes mesenterica, remittent fever, scrofula, and nu- merous cutaneous eruption-^. 14. c. The therapeutical indications at this epoch chiefly relate to the care which is recjuired to preserve the head cool, and ward off the vascu- lar excitement to which it is liable. Anodynes are less injurious at this period than in that preceding it, and are often required, particularly in soothing the irritability of the nervous system arising either from difficult dentition, from the exhaustion occasioned by previous treatment, or by disea>e, and particularly in the advanced stages of whoop- ing-cough and cioup. The state of the gums requires particular attention ; and where there is evidence of itching, this sensation requires to be allayed, first, in the way that nature points out, by pressing hard and smooth substances be- tween ilie gums, as a coral, ivory ring, and what is be^t, a gold ring, when this may be directed. If the least appearance of local affection, as tumefaction, redness, &c., or even merely con- stitutional disturbance, manifest themselves, the gums should be freely and deeply scarified. Ape- rients of a mild and cooling nature, are often required during this epoch ; and in it, as well as in the preceding, blisters, even for a few hours only, particularly when the respiratory mucous surface is obstructed and its functions interrupted, or when the energies are exhausted and the vital resistance consequently reduced, must be employed with extreme caution, and give place to the use of those liniments which 1 shiill have occasion to re- commend as substitutes for them under such cir- cumstances. 15. ii. Period, or that of Childhood (Pite' ritia), extends from about the second to the seventh or eightli year, when the second dentiiion is completed. During this period the develope- ment of the different textures and organs pro- ceeds rapidly, and their functions are more and more perfect. The mental manifestations, par- ticularly those which are intellectual, are de- veloped, and the various moral emotions gain strength. The distinctions which exist between sexes throughout the whole physical and mental constitution at more advanced ages have not yet appeared. All the soft solids of the body evince increasing firmness, vital cohesion, and elasticity, and are protected by a firm covering of adipose matter below the integuments, and in the interstices between the muscles. are generally acute; and, unless proceeding from sources of infection, usually the result of local inflammatory action, which evinces a marked di^- position to terminate in the formative process, or effusion of coagulable lymph, particularly when the serous surfaces are implicated. The suscep- tibility to infectious diseases, particularly tho<e with exanthematous symptoms, is very great ; as well as to inflammations of the difl'erent textures and organs — to pneumonia, bronchitis, cerebritis, meningitis, gastritis, enteritis, &c.; besides these, glandular obstructions, chorea, verminous diseases, epilepsy, and the various forms of angina, are very prevalent at this age, particularly, in those whose digestive organs have been neglected, and when morbid matters have been allowed to accumulate in the prima via. 17. 6, The therapeutical indications ap]dicable to this age present lew peculiarities, besides tlie necessity of resorting to active depletions, with a cooling regimen and alvine evacuations in the majority of its diseas-es; and the keeping in recol- lection the tendency of mucous sordes and se- cretions to form and accumulate on the digestive mucous surface. Such accumulations furnish a nidus for the generation of worms, and sources of irritation to this surface itself, and to the nerves proceeding from it; and originate many of the affections which appear at this, and a subsequent period of existence. The necessity of enjoying, and the injurious consequences of the privation, of wholesome nourishment and active exercise in a pure atmosphere, and the advantages of slee|)ing alone in a large well-ventilated apart- ment, should not be overlooked, in their relation boih to the production and to the removal of disorder. The employment of the faculties of the mind during this early stage of their de- velopement should be left, until the last year or two of this period, more as a matter of amusement than of exertion; and,even then, greater attention should be paid to the developement of the physi- cal powers,— the organisation upon which sound mental manifestations very intimately depend,— than to the precocious and even hurtful excite- ment of faculties which are merely budding into existence. The emotions of mind, however, par- ticularly those which are connected with temper and disposition, ought first to receive attention ; strict control cannot be prematurely applied in this direction. In this and the preceding epochs of life, it is indispensably requisite not to allow the child to sleep with persons in bad health, or who are far advanced in life. 18. iii. Period, or Boyhood—Girlhood.— From the seventh or eighth year to the epoch of commencing puberty, is chiefly characterised by the continued growth of all the structures, and the developement of the manilestations of mind. Towards the middle and end ol this period, the physical and mental distinctions of sex become more and more apparent. — a. The frame, when (rte from disease or hereditary taint, evinces a sthenic diathesis, a predominance of the sanguine, or sanguineo-nervous temperament, and a liabilny 16. a. If the constitution be not vitiated by I to nearly the same diseases, particularly those hereditary or acquired taint, defective nourish' ment, or previous ailment, or if the causes be not of a depressing nature, disease at this period assumes the sthenic character. Febrile diseases proceeding Irom infection and inflammation, that prevail during childhood. There is a greater liiibility to be affected with idiopathic-continued fever, with scrofulous enlargements and inflam-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2119709x_0049.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
