On the pathology of delirium tremens, and its treatment without stimulants or opiates / by Alexander Peddie.

Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the pathology of delirium tremens, and its treatment without stimulants or opiates / by Alexander Peddie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    vi. Misce ut fiant, pil. ij.,—for immediate use ; and afterwards 80 drops of the Vini Tart. Ant. to be taken every three hours. 2d day, 6 p.m.—Was unable to see him earlier. Pulse 98, full, but soft ; bowels have been freely purged. Slept none since last visit; has been very restless all day ; and being himself apprehensive—from previous experience— of the approach of delirium tremens, has ordered the windows to be nailed down, and his razors removed. Antimonial wine to be continued. 9 p.m. Is now seeing objects in bed, and becoming more restless. Pulse ]00, of good character. Tongue cleaner. Now to have the antimony in larger doses. 5 Tart. Ant. gr. iv.. Aquae Ibij.,—a wine-glassful to be given eveiy two hours. Arrow-root and coffee with milk allowed. To have liberty to walk about the house ; to have all his opinions and diseased impressions humoured as much as possible ; and to have the advantage of clear light. Zd day, 11 a.m.—Says that he has had eight hours of excellent sleep, and feels quite well and comfortable. In reality, however, he has spent a very restless night ; up and down through the house several times with a lighted papei', looking for thieves. Has been much quieter since the last dose of the antimony. Pulse 106 ; more tremor ; considerable warmth and moisture of skin. Antimony to be continued, and beef-tea to be given occasionally. 4Z7i day, 10 a.m.—Pulse 110, weak, and slightly intermitting ; muscular tremor great; perspiring copiously ; pupils large; face pale ; urine scanty and high coloured ; bowels open ; no sleep ; and very much excited with all sorts of fancies, although he can answer any question distinctly. 8 p.m.—In most respects much as he was in the morning. Pulse 120 ; skin clammy. He has been travelling all day along with his wife, and something or other has con- stantly been going wrong. Now, they are both (his wife to please him) sitting in bed with their knees drawn up to prevent water covering them, as it has got into a boat in which they are crossing a river, etc. To continue the antimony, etc. 5fA d'a?/, Pulse 100, and steadier. Tremor not quite so great. Has taken some breakfast with relish, and more beef-tea. Has been in bed several times over night, but has only had one hour's sleep. At present is doing penance by walking on the floor barefoot. To continue the antimony, etc. 4 p.m. Is much calmer ; pulse down to 86. In order that fatigue and consequent sleep might be produced, advised a half-hour's walk out of doors in charge of a friend. 7 p.m. Sent for hurriedly. He is much more excited—mofe than he has been for the last 24 hours ; pulse 115 ; said that he saw his wife dis- posed of at a lottery a few minutes ago to another gentleman, which he con- sidered most disgraceful, etc. He had been out walking for a very short time only ; and although I suspected that liquor had been given to him by some one, I could not ascertain that this was a fact. Antimony now to be given in half-grain doses every two hours. 'oih day, 11 a.m.—Has passed a very agitated night. A short time since made an attempt to get over a window, and knocked down a large flower box into the street in the attempt. Is now writing dispatches to the Duke of Wel- lington, as he thinks himself iu a besieged fortress. The writing is mere scratches of the pen, no letters being formed. Pulse supposed to be about 120, o