A complete handbook of treatment : arranged as an alphabetical index of diseases to facilitate reference, and containing nearly one thousand formulae / by William Aitken.

  • William Aitken
Date:
1882
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A complete handbook of treatment : arranged as an alphabetical index of diseases to facilitate reference, and containing nearly one thousand formulae / by William Aitken. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    treated and cured by opium smoking and internal adminis- tration of chloroform and hemp. Both patients were Hindoos. The average quantity of opium-goolic smoked daily by one patient was 84 grains. The chloroform and hemp were given as in the foilowing prescription:— ]^ Chloroform; mx ; Extract of Indian nemp, gr i.; Mucil- age, 3 i; Camohor Mixt. ^ i. Misce. To be repeated every six hours. Surgeon-General Gordon, during the siege of Paris, reports that M. Demarquay saved several patients' lives who had manifested early symptoms in the form of trismus by means of very hot air-baths followed up by tlie hypodermic injection of morphine. In the fully developed cases these remedies were not successful. The inhalation of the nitrite of amyl has been recommended by Dr. W. S. Forbes of Phil- adelphia, in quantities of three to five drops. A case of tetanus having occurred, the bowels should first be relieved by a large enema with turpentine, after which perfect quietness in a darkened room, free from noise or cur- rents of air, must be insisted upon, as the best means of pre- venting the fits of spasms. The use of the ice-bag along the spine as recommended by Todd, has afforded relief by allay- ing spinal irritation; but its action is very depressing. By far the largest mass of testimony has accumulated in favor of supporting the strength of the patient by the frequent ad- ministration of nutritious foods, tonics, stimulants, and opi- ates, the latter of which must be given in the most liberal and persevering manner. These remedies (nutrient and medicinal) must be administered both by the mouth, by the rectum, and by the hypodermic method (Hamilton). Stimu- lants and abundant nourishment appear to give more pros- pects of success in the treatment of tetanus than any other means; and with the use of chloroform, chloral, and Calabar bean to lessen the spasms, perfect rest, quietness, and free- dom from currents of air,the sufferer may be able to withstand the exhaustion, and live through the acute period of the disease. Systematic feeding of patients with liquid and strengthien- ing food, at short intervals, has been employed with very good results in the hospital of the University at Pennyslvania. The food must be given at intervals of every two or three hours; and should consist mainly of milk, with a small quan- tity of alcohol. Solid food is to be avoided. Medicinally, the patient must be brought well under the influence of the
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