Remarks on the scurvy as it appeared among the English prisoners in France, in the year 1795 : with an account of the effects of opium in that disease, and of the methods proper to render its use more extensive and easy; (written during his confinement in the Tower) / by R.T. Crosfeild.

  • Robert Thomas Crosfeild
Date:
1797
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the scurvy as it appeared among the English prisoners in France, in the year 1795 : with an account of the effects of opium in that disease, and of the methods proper to render its use more extensive and easy; (written during his confinement in the Tower) / by R.T. Crosfeild. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    t '3 ] nation of opium and antimonials, or opium alone, was ufed to promote a free diaphorefis. When the vomiting was checked, if the pulfe was tolerably ftrong, and not much delirium prefent, as was ufually the cafe when bile abounded, a gentle purgative was next adm:- niftered, which frequently completed the cure without needing a repetition. In the other cafes, after fweat has been ex- cited. the i£lcric fymptoms coming gently on, were, for the molt part, a fign that the worft was over : and if the diarrhoea came on with moderation, I ufually fuffered it to proceed. Many cafes however occurred which required the utmoft attention and exertion. Delirium and haemorrhage were the moll troublefome fymptoms I had to encounter. The cortex* peruvianus availed nothing, nor were blitters of the fmalleft fervice ; but, happily, the opium anfwered both thefe ends. If liberally given it procured tleep, and removed the deli- rium : and in cafe.of a fudden haemorrhage (no unfrequent occurrence) it was my cuftom to give Tinct. opii gtts l. orgr.iij of the Extract, which ufually ttopped the bleeding in a few minutes. Very troublefome fluxes were fometimes the confequence of the fpontaneous diarrhoea, or even of a tingle dofe of rhubarb, given during the icteric ftage ; but thefe were when necetfary checked with, great certainty and fafety by the opiate. By thefe means, aided by the generous and humane exertions ofCaptains Collins, Alexander and Yellowley, I was fortunate enough to lofe * This m‘ght be owing to1 the bad quality of that wc had. only