Gout : its pathology and treatment / by Arthur P. Luff.

  • Arthur P. Luff
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Gout : its pathology and treatment / by Arthur P. Luff. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    227/272 (page 215)
    medicinal treatment for acute gout should be employed. The gouty heart is associated with fatty de^ generation of the cardiac walls, and is mainly met with among sufferers from irregular gout. The condition is generally evidenced by precordial pain or oppression, vertigo, faintness, palpitation, or irregular cardiac action, insomnia, and slight anginal attacks; towards the end of an attack a cold sweat generally breaks out on the surface of the body, and is followed by flatulent eructa- tions, after which the attack subsides. The treat- ment should be rest in the recumbent position, and a small dose of blue pill or calomel, followed by a purge of Epsom salts, should be administered. If the pulse is of low tension a mixture containing convallaria and strychnine will be suitable. If anginal attacks occur, nitroglycerine or erythrol tetra-nitrate may be given by the mouth, or in- halations of nitrite of amyl employed. Iodide of potassium is also a very useful drug when there is much pain. The patient must be carefully dieted (see pp. 222—225), and graduated exercise, at first of a passive nature, such as the Schott treatment, and later of an active nature, may be very beneficial. The action of the bowels should be properly regulated, and entire abstention from tobacco smoking, or extreme moderation in its use, should be advised. Angina pectoris.—In anginal attacks in gouty subjects the pulse is generally one of high tension without the existence of any necessary association