Selected monographs.

Date:: 1888

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Selected monographs. Source: Wellcome Collection.

170/440 (page 152)

the clianges in tlie metamorphoses of the tissues, which cer- tainly take phice in menstruation, affect the symptom in question. It is a well-established rule that the patients, at these periods, must be even more carefully and strictly watched than at other times, and kept absolutely to their beds, in cases in which some relaxation of this rule has been allowed for a greater or less portion of the day. In taking as far as possible a full and complete survey of all the points which seem to be of importance in the treatment of albuminuria, you will easily have gathered from what I have said that a suitable climate is preeminently indicated. For this includes a combination of all possible and desirable conditions for producing a favorable effect. The improvement or cure which may result from baths and changes of climate is due, not to any single factor, not merely to the water and the air, but to a variety of other conditions which have been already indicated. Southern and dry localities, such as Gries and Meran, are to be recommended for our purpose, and better than these are various spots on the Eiviera, especially Bordighera, Cannes, &c., but the best of all is Cairo and Egypt generally, which, however, owing to political circumstances, is not very inviting just at present. A lengthened sojourn in such places is decidedly advantageous in consequence of the effects produced upon the cutaneous functions and the removal of the patient from all unfavorable mental impressions. Active exercise also becomes unnecessary, and, lastly, the diet, which in southern latitudes contains more vegetables and less animal and albuminous substances, fulfils the indications above detailed. In the case of poor patients, admission into a hospital, though not to be compared with a suitable climate, has m some respects a similar effect, as I mentioned in my introduc- tion, and it is for these patients a kind of substitute for change of climate. In the wards of a hospital they are at any rate quieter and more sheltered than they could other- wise be, and the greater part of the day or even the whole day can be spent in bed. I cannot conclude this address without uttering an impres- sive warning against too sanguine expectations with regard