A treatise on the theory and practice of medicine / by John Syer Bristowe.

  • John Syer Bristowe
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the theory and practice of medicine / by John Syer Bristowe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1200/1322 (page 1154)
    muscles, epilepsy, and some degree of mental imbecility. These sequelte may be permanent. Morbid anatomy and ]patliology.—In most cases of fatal sunstroke the blood is found to have remained uncoagulated; the lungs are intensely con- gested, and the right side of the heart is loaded with blood; further, there is generally engorgement of the vessels of the brain. The proximate cause of the disease is micertain. By some it is considered that the symptoms are due to the circulation of poisonous matters in the blood. It is suggested by Dr. G. Johnson that the intense heat of the body is attended with dilatation of the pulmonary capillaries, engorgement of the lungs, and asphyxia, upon which the other phenomena of the disease presently super- vene. The first symptoms, however, in many cases, are those of uncon- sciousness, and in all coma rapidly comes on with involvement of those organs, especially, which are in relation with the pneumogastric nerves. The symptoms differ indeed little, if at all, from those of the typical apoplectic state; and it is difficult therefore to believe that they are not primarily cerebral. Treatment.—Indian practitioners are unanimous as to the danger of bleeding in these cases, and are equally unanimous with respect to the value of the cold douche, or of cold applied in other forms. Especially it seems advisable to apply cold to the head. Subsequently, if consciousness do not return, the head may be shaven, and counter-irritants used. The bowels should be made to act, but not violently purged. Generally, also, it is better to give nourishment and diffusible stimulants than to deplete. XXI. MEGRIM. {Migraine. Hemicrania. Sick-headache.) Definition.—A form of headache, for the most part circumscribed, coming on in paroxysms, and frequently attended with sickness, affection of sight, and other nervous phenomena. Causation.—Megrim appears in a large number of cases to be an hereditary disease; and, when of distinctly hereditary origin, not unfre- quently commences during the period of the second dentition, from which age up to thirty it usually first declares itself. It rarely commences after thirty, and generally, even in those who are liable to it, subsides with advance of years. Patients do not often suffer from it after fifty. Females are somewhat more prone to it than males. The determining causes of the attack are very various. Amongst the most common of them are, dis- turbance of the digestive organs, such as may arise from over-feeding or prolonged abstinence, uterine disorders and the catamenial period, sus- tained mental labour or excitement, emotional disturbance, bodily fatigue or want of exercise, insufficient or over-abundant sleep, overcrowded rooms, foul air, and meteorological conditions ; and, besides these, impressions upon the senses, such as are produced by glaring lights, rapid successions of objects presented to the eye, loud or discordant noises, strong odours, and offensive smells. Megrim, or a condition undistinguishable from it,