History and medical treatment of cholera : as it appeared in Sunderland in 1831 / by W. Haslewood and W. Mordey.

  • Haslewood, W. (William), 1802?-1866
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History and medical treatment of cholera : as it appeared in Sunderland in 1831 / by W. Haslewood and W. Mordey. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    ordinary cholera of this country, was altogether absent in two well marked cases of the present epidemic. In general, however, the purging is profuse ; the discharges pass off with great violence, as if expelled by force through a contracted orifice. After the discharges have assumed the character- istic appearances, they are very rarely attended with flatus : the noiseless manner in which they escape is remarkable. The character of the alvine discharges is very similar to that of the matters vomited; the fluid, however, is more homogeneous, of a milky or buff colour, and sometimes of the consistence of jelly : in others it bears a striking resemblance to pus. This was so remarkable in one of the earliest cases, that it was imagined that some large abscess had broken into the intestines. The same peculiar fusty smell was always present in these discharges. Cramps. — The flexors of the fingers and toes are generally the first muscles attacked with spasm ; the gastrocnemii and muscles of the thigh are next attacked; and, more rarely, the muscles of the abdomen, the back, and the throat are affected. The affection has been observed very frequently to confine itself to one side of the body. It is com- monly preceded by a creeping sensation, or aura passing downwards, in the course of the nerves ; a single fasciculus of fibres begins to grow hard ; and in a few seconds the whole muscle is contracted into a hard knot. When the abdominal muscles are affected, the body is bent forward in agony; but, perhaps, the most distressing case is that in which the muscles of deglutition are affected : the thirst is incessant, and every attempt to swallow
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