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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    7th day, 11 a.m.—Continues improving. Feels more clearness of head and general lightness of the system than he has experienced for a long time past. Is to be up in the afternoon. Sth day.—Was able to walk out, quite well, and in every respect capable of resuming his ordinary occupations. Remarks.—The above is a very severe instance of delirium tremens —the paroxysm lasting about seventy-seven hours. It was a first attack, and resulted from habitual drinking and no diminution of supplies ; but on the contrary, excessive indulgence up to the period when seized with the choleraic symptoms—which probably precipi- tated or hastened on the disease, aided no doubt by the doses of brandy, laudanum, and tincture of rhubarb, taken before my first visit, and by the four grains of opium afterwards unfortunately pre- scribed to check the diarrh(]ea. In regard to the phenomena pre- sented by this case, and the effect of remedial means, I would remark 1st, That the contracted state of the pupil only lasted while the effect of the opium continued. 2d, That the tendency to perspiration usually attending this aflPection was much increased apparently by the ipecacuanha, but without proving injurious. 3d, That the urine was found during the paroxysms, to be albuminoiis, and to present phosphatic crystals. 4th, That the speedy improvement following the change to the antimonial treatment suggests the probability that the attack would have been shorter, had that agent been employed earlier, but which was withheld from the supposed risk of bringing back the diarrhoea. 5th, That very considerable weakness of pulse may exist along with astonishing capability for muscular effort. 6th, That muscular exertion may be permitted with safety, nay, even with benefit, as a means of inducing natural sleep ; and 7th, That this mode of treating the disease does not lead to any sub- sequent debility, but on the contrary, holds out the best expecta- tion of recovery, with a sound condition of the mental and physical powers.