Remarks on the history and treatment of delirium tremens / by John Ware.

  • Ware, John, 1795-1864.
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the history and treatment of delirium tremens / by John Ware. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    It is, however, very important, before making up an opinion concerning the probable course and event, or proper treatment of any case, to determine the nature of the original affection; to ascertain the pre- cise amount and extent of disease, with which we have to contend. I shall proceed therefore to de- scribe, as far as my observation furnishes me with ma- terials, the several circumstances, states of the system and of disease, in connexion with which the symp- toms of Delirium Tremens make their appearance. I. Delirium Tremens occurs as the immediate consequence of a particular excess, or of a succession of excesses, in individuals not otherwise disposed to disease. The kind of excess referred to, is not sim- ply that habitual use to which all the subjects of this disease have been accustomed ; though this is, under certain circumstances, sufficient to its production; but a degree of it for a short period somewhat beyond their common habit. It occurs most frequently in such persons as have from any cause been induced or obliged to abstain from the use of ardent spirits for a considerable time, and have again had free access to them. Hence it is often seen in sailors after a long voyage, or in those who have been permitted to go on shore from a vessel of war for a few days. But it may also occur in any intemperate person, who, with- out having previously intermitted the use of spirits, has been tempted to a course of unusual indulgence for several days in succession. Thus it is very com- mon in those who are taken up in a state of intoxica-