Eight letters of Joseph (Lord) Lister to William Sharpey / by C. Robert Rudolf.

  • Joseph Lister
Date:
1933
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Eight letters of Joseph (Lord) Lister to William Sharpey / by C. Robert Rudolf. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    that the only cases in which I have observed concentration to occur from such local irritation are, 1st in an area round about a part pinched, 2nd beside the edges of a freshly cut wound, 3rd partial concentration has occurred in one leg in consequence of irritation of the roots of its nerves. The general rule respecting the operation of local irritants is that they deprive the part of the power of varying the distribution of the pigment, leaves it just as it was, whether fully concentrated, fully diffused, or in an intermediate state. To this general rule I have hitherto met with only three exceptions, viz., mustard, croton oil, and cantharides, which before they produce arrestment, produce a variable degree of diffusion in the spot on which they act. The effect is not always seen, and will be best seen when the agent acts least rapidly. Thus croton oil and cantharides act extremely slowly (not for one or two hours) and you will I believe always see some diffusion with them. But with mustard it is quite a matter of uncertainty, and if you use essential oil of mustard you are sure not to see any diffusion. “ Arrestment ” (paralysis) then takes place at once. But whether any diffusion occur[s] or not with mustard the ultimate effect (by the time stagnation occurs) is arrestment both of concentra¬ tion and diffusion. As to the explanation of this variable degree of diffusion produced in the first instance by mustard, I am inclined to attribute it to paralysis of the extremities of the nerves occurring before the cells are fully paralysed, and so permitting a certain amount of diffusion to occur as always appears to do in health when the nervous influence is removed. That the extremities of the nerves are paralysed by the action of mustard is proved by the fact that if I put a bit of mustard on my own finger for an hour or two the spot loses its power of sensation. By the way can you tell me if recent discovery has thrown any light on rigor mortis ? Does it appear that the extremities of the nerves are concerned in its production ? I am anxious to know this, in order to comprehend if possible, the remarkable post mortem concentration of the pigment. Do you approve of the terms concentration and diffusion ? They seem to me better than some others that might be used, because they imply not merely that the molecules are aggregated or dispersed, but also that they are collected with the centre of its cell or dispersed throughout the ramifying branches. Many thanks as regard the colouring of the plates. I little intended so long a scrawl. Please forgive it if possible, and believe me, with kind regards to Miss Colville, Yours very truly, Joseph Lister. Many thanks for your kind proposal that I should make your house my town quarters at Christmas. Agnes desires me to unite her kind remem¬ brances with mine. J. L.
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