Facts establishing the efficacy of the opiate friction in spasmodic and febrile diseases. Also, outlines of an attempt to investigate the nature, causes, and method of cure, of hydrophobia and tetanus ... To which are added, cases and remarks / [Michael Ward].

  • Ward, Michael, active 1809.
Date:
[1809]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Facts establishing the efficacy of the opiate friction in spasmodic and febrile diseases. Also, outlines of an attempt to investigate the nature, causes, and method of cure, of hydrophobia and tetanus ... To which are added, cases and remarks / [Michael Ward]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    I SHALL embrace this opportunity of paying a tribute of respect, to the memory of that able Physician, aud excellent man, the late Dr. Percival, in the following brief, but imper- fect, sketch, of his character. Uniting skill with humanity* in the dis- opii, to be rubbed upon the insides or the arms between the wrist and shoulder, until the whole is absorbed; which has commonly been succeeded in the course of a quarter or half an hour, sometimes sooner, by a remission of the spasms, and composure of body and mind. (Had not relief been obtained, I should have directed the same quantity of the tincture to be rubbed into the shins, but this has not hitherto been requisite.) As soon as the jaws become free, antispasmodics may be given internally, and afterwards tonics, chaly* beates, &c., as occasion may require. But these have commonly been unnecessary, as I have generally found the patient the next day complaining only of a slight head-ache, and soreness of the limbs, which have required little or no additional aid from medicine.] * A noble act of benevolence not generally known, but which places his character in a very amiable point of view, was related to me, with tears of gratitude, by the person upon whom it was conferred. Its authenticity being thus established, I should scarcely think myself justified in withholding it from the public. The daughter of a respectable shopkeeper was attended by the late Dr. Percival, in a long and tedious illness, of which she at length died, to the great distress of her parents, who, though they had several other children, were particularly attached to this, their only daughter. Soon after her decease, the mother had to mourn the loss of her husband, who was suddenly, and unexpectedly cut off; and she was left a widow