Observations on the casual and periodical influence of particular states of the atmosphere on human health and diseases, particularly insanity : with a table of reference to altitudes / by Thomas Forster.

  • Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the casual and periodical influence of particular states of the atmosphere on human health and diseases, particularly insanity : with a table of reference to altitudes / by Thomas Forster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    23] cury. I believe, however, that the functions of the liv§| may be apparently restored, and digestion may go on tolerably well in many diseases, and yet the nervous symptoms remain. I think, too, that diseases which seem doomed to run through a certain t^rm, are often made worse by the untimely employment of the 9ame remedies which, if given after the symptoms had passed .he period of their greatest exacerbation, would have become highly useful in hastening the cure. This remark only applies to the disease when it has already gone on some time. I think it right to mention here, that I was unaware of this fact till it was sug- gested in my mind by some very recent observations on the brain. Formerly, observing the use of mercury in some cases, have I recommended it at an untimely stage of the disorder, and I have been surprised to find it did not take effect till after a certain periodical crisis, which the complaint passed. The first object of attention in all cases of nervous diseases, and indeed, of diseases in general, must be the state of the digestive functions, since experi- ence has shewn that we cannot expect any amelioration of symptoms while the chylopoietic organs remain disordered. The medical treat- ment of insanity does not differ from that of other complaints in this respect, but generally involves the necessity of proceeding still further. For there will generally be found a great determination of blood towards the head, and a slow inflammatory action going on in the brain. Hence the necessity of carrying depletion further in this disease than in many others, wherein by rectifying the de- ranged functions of the abdominal viscera, we can immediately re- lieve symptoms in remote organs which may be only sympathetic. And the reason why insanity, particularly while it is periodical, is often left uncured after the digestive organs appear healthy, I take to be, as follows :—the determination of blood to the brain, either generally or partially not being counteracted, the symptoms of disordered action, the cerebral organs, not only remain, but by oc- casioning general disturbance of the system, have a tendency to disorder those of digestion again; and thus the disorders of the cad and those of the abdomen go on feeding each other. The mode of treating insanity has been various among different practi- tioners, but it now seems admitted by those who have paid most attention to the subject, that the lowering plan becomes the most successful, and should be begun directly the periods of the incipient c lsease are discovered. By which means the crisis may be hastened in time, and mitigated in force. Finally : diseases of the brain which may be brought on by accic ental causes, as melancholy, which supervenes on continued °r VOL Try111 aU^ 3^Xiety 0 mind j fevers, delirium, and other am. NO. XXV11.