Domestic medicine and surgery : with a glossary of the terms used therein / by J.H. Walsh.

  • John Henry Walsh
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Domestic medicine and surgery : with a glossary of the terms used therein / by J.H. Walsh. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/846 (page 4)
    the first period of existence, a low deve- lopment of heat. Sect. 6.—Cliaiatic and Epide.\uc Influences. 16. Among the most powerful agents in affecting the health of nations and individuals is the state of tlie atmo - sphere which tliey breathe, with refer- ence to its temperature, moisture, weight, and electrical condition, &c. Tliesc, together wth certain poisonous and scarcely definable elements floating in it, constitute the climate, with whicli it is notorious tlie health of mankind is wonderfully connected. But it is not a little remarkable, tliat a climate whicli is suited to certain na- tions is deadly to others; and, again, I that one wliich is advantageous at one time, or for a certain period, is after- wards exactly tlie reverse. Thus, a residence at the sea-coast is a panacea for certain complaints prevalent in tlie inland districts, while it is often un- healthy to its own denizens. But these facts are so weU knowm as to deserv'e the name of truisms. 17. The decomposition of vegetable substances, such as dead leaves and other similar exuvim, especially in tropical climates, leads to the develop- ment of certain gases or subtle floating substances, to which the name of malaria is given, and which produce fevers of a low kind, os well as other low states of the system, with impaired rigour and tone, known as marsli fever, ague, &c. In this country, tlie great amount of drainage carried on of late years has almost caused this con- dition of tilings to disappear; but in some localities it still lingers ; and even where ague is not known, excejit by name, listlessness and want of energy of the body and mind are common enough. 'With our present habits, a much worse figlit is now made against malaria than was formerly the case, because we are not so much braced by exposure to the weather and by active exercise, but are content to roll about in carriages, and wiien ive travel we are protected from wind and rain in railways or steam-boats. Hence, tlioiigli tlie. poison is less, and is iusuflicient to act as of yore, it is probable that to it i Ave owe some of the multifarious forma 1 of dyspepsia, headaclie, neuralgia. Sec., wliich form the staple of the grum- Wings with Avhich the ladies are said to treat eacli other Avhen they hai’e no better employment. These diseases, thus peculiar to certain situations, and caused by local peciUiarities, are said to be endemic, which means existing among a people. 18. Beyond the direct agency of climate and malaria, we have also a most peculiar condition, of the essence of which notliing is loiown, and of which we should be AvlioUy ignorant, but for its powerful effects upon manliind, as well as upon domestic animals. 'VVe find at uncertain periods an old, or i perliaps a new disease suddenly break out with such virulence as in some ’ cases to decimate a people, as was the ! case formerly Avith the plague, and of ; late years Avitli the cholera in this j and other countries. Why this sliould be so Ave knoAv not, but of this fact avc j are compelled to be aware, and we ex- ^ press it by the term “epidemic,” AA'hich i simply means coming upon, or attacking ] a people—or, in common language, pre- ! valent. Tims, a disease may be said to \ be prevalent or epidemic, whichcA'er term may be preferred; and the most common one of this kind has received the name, par excellence, of influenza, ' wliich is merely an epidemic catarrh. ; Sect. 7.—National and India'idual Habits. 19. Nations and smaller communi- , tics differ Avidely among themselves in their manners and customs, and more especially .in their articles of diet, and the quantity of them Avhich they consume. Mucli of tliis depends upon ' climate, Avhich at one extreme leads tlie Esquimaux to depend upon train- ! oil and saw-dust, and at tlie other | permits the indulgence in A’cgetables and fruit AAithout animal food. So also AATtli regard to fennented liquors, Avliiclt are comparatively innocent in tlie cold regions of tlie north ; but if indulged in to any great extent near the equator, are productive of disease in its most frightful forms. But, Ind*-