The cholera spasmodica, as observed in Paris in 1832; comprising its symptoms, pathology, and treatment / [Ashbel Smith].

  • Ashbel Smith
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The cholera spasmodica, as observed in Paris in 1832; comprising its symptoms, pathology, and treatment / [Ashbel Smith]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    purging, vomiting and cramps continue, and the patient at length presents the following appearance and assemblage of symptoms :—'The extremities are cold, shrunk and livid, or marbled. ‘I'he skin of the hands and forearms, and in a less degree of the feet, is wrinkled like a washerwoman’s, has a peculiar moist feel, and when pinched up in folds very slowly regains its former state. In proceeding towards the body, the lividity of the limbs degenerates into purple patches, and at length assumes a marbled appearance. 'The extent of the lividity varies, of course, according to the severity of the case. It approaches higher proportionally on the infe- rior than on the superior extremities. The point of the elbow and the kneepan are often livid, while surrounded by a zone of nearly the natural flesh color. The scrotum is livid and contracted. Coldness and livid patches sometimes invade the trunk, particularly the sides of the chest. ‘The face is shrunk, triangular, cold and livid, particularly the prolabia. ‘The nose is pinched up and cold; its mucous membrane covered with a pulverulence, extending deep into the ethmoid cells: this pulverulence was most abundant when the patients were vacillating between the cold stage and ill sustained efforts at reaction. ‘The eyes are sunk, in appearance atrophied, surrounded with a deep livid circle, and when the patient reposes a moment, the globes, turned upwards, exhibit the white portion between the unclosed lids. ‘The ears are livid and cold. The mouth is moist, with a pretty abundant clammy, or even pasty secretion. The tongue is cold, moist and livid, or pale, having on its upper surface a slight whitish fur. The air respired from the lungs is cold, and has a peculiar sourish odor. The per- fectly cold respiration is, however, rather rare to be met with since the stadium of the epidemic. Respiration is per- formed chiefly by the muscles of the chest, unassisted by the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. It is slow, at times somewhat anhelating, with precordial anxiety. This has
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