A handbook of the theory and practice of medicine / by Frederick T. Roberts.
- Frederick Thomas Roberts
- Date:
- 1873
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A handbook of the theory and practice of medicine / by Frederick T. Roberts. Source: Wellcome Collection.
106/1060 page 102
![tions of a patient, or the skin may fee] hot to the touch; but no reliance is to be placed on these sources of information, and re- course must be had immediately to the use of the thermometer, if pyrexia is supposed to be present. The temperature may range from only just above the normal to 108°, 110°, or even above 112° Fahr., but it does not commonly exceed 105° or 106°. It may continue to rise for some time after death. 2. Alterations in the Secretions.—As a rule secretions are dimin- ished in quantity, owing to the deficient elimination of water, and its retention in the system. From this result some prominent symptoms, viz., (a.) Dryness and roughness of the skin, though this is not always present, in some cases thjere being profuse per- spiration. (6.) Derangements of the alimentary canal. The sali- vary, gastric, and intestinal secretions are deficient, hence the tongue is furred and the mouth clammy; there is much thirst, but no inclination for food, and the bowels are constipated. Nausea or vomiting not unfrequently occur, (c.) The urine is much diminished in quantity, high-colored, very acid, with a strong odor, and high specific gravity. This secretion, however, exhibits other alterations generally, in that it contains an excess of its organic nitrogenized constituents, especially uric acid and urea, and a much larger quantity of these substances is secreted than in health, during the twenty-four hours. There is also an increase in hippurlc acid, sulphates, phosphates, and coloring matters often, but not always. The alkaline chlorides are com- monly deficient, and may be absent altogether. 3. Changes in the Circulatory and Respiratory Systems.—The jmlse is increased in frequency, and may rise to 120,140, or more, being, as a rule, in proportion to the temperature. In its other characters it varies greatly in different cases. In long-continued or severe cases it may become very weak, irregular, or intermit- tent ; these characters being associated with feeble action of the heart. The sphygmograph is very useful in indicating the state of the circulation when fever exists. The blood is altered in composition, there being a diminution in the amount of alkalies and in the alkalinity of the serum; and after a time the albumen and red corpuscles also become deficient, while the white corpuscles are often increased in number. In](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b20402740_0106.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
