[Two months of fever duty in Glasgow Royal Infirmary].

  • William Tennant Gairdner
Date:
[1865]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Two months of fever duty in Glasgow Royal Infirmary]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    Dr. Robertson’s previous convictions, together with the accident of a change of assistant in the ward immediately afterwards, during his temporary absence, insensibly overruled my own practice as regards stimulants. 1 find that the wine is ordered on the 11th day of the fever and onwards, without reference to any special symptoms requiring it, and my own recollections on the subject are a blank. I think it improbable that I could have intended to order this quantity of wine, or even any wine at all, to a lad of sixteen on the eve of the crisis, with no unfavourable symptoms. Case 5.— Typhus, with Eruption—Irritability of Stomach—Recovery.—Potter, aged 22. Admitted September 27 (6th day) ; dismissed October 12. Much irrita- bility of stomach up to 9th day, when it was completely relieved by 10 grains of ipecacuanha given as an emetic—Pulv. cret. co. cum opio, 10 grains, with soda water, and 2 oz. of whisky, having previously been given without effect. Stimulants—2 oz. of whisky as above. Case 6.— Typhus with Eruption—Recovery.—Rivetter, aged 18. Admitted September 27 (8th day) ; dismissed October 12. Favourable but gradual crisis, beginning about 11th day. I present this case at large, though quite a normal case according to my experience, as a type of many others, and as a good illustration of typhus not influenced by remedies or stimulants. Sept. 28. Patient quite intelligent, and memory good. Had a good sleep immediately after admission, but afterwards disturbed. No raving. Typhus rash quite distinct, and duration of disease given definitely as from this day week, when, on walking down to his work between 5 and 6 a.m., he first felt pains in the limbs, having been in his usual health the day before, and having slept well at night. Chief complaint now is of headache and pain in the eyes. Pulse 100. Takes milk and a little bread, with soda water and other effervescing drinks. Sept. 29 (9th day).—Pulse 120. Did not sleep sound, possibly owing to castor oil, which operated during the night. Thirsty, and complains of heartburn, but otherwise as at last report. Sept. 30 (10th day).—Pulse 120. Appears quite collected, but is stated to have had delirium, and says of his own accord that he dreamed a great deal in the night, among other things that he was fighting with some one. Still thirsty. Oct 2 (12th day).—Pulse 104. Is rather improved; sleeps a little; no delirium. Oct. 4 (14th day).—Pulse 76; distinctly double-beating, very soft, and undulating. Tongue still dry, but appearance of cleaning at edges. Slept well. Eruption still present, but faintly. Oct. 5 (15th day).—Pulse 80, very soft. Tongue still dry in centre, but cleaning and moistening at the edges. Rash almost gone. Oct. 8 (18th day).— Pulse 64. Tongue nearly clean. Convalescent. No stimulants. Case 7.—Typhus with Eruption—Recovery.—Moulder, aged 23. Admitted September 28 (7th day) ; dismissed October 14. A rather mild case, with faint but still decided rash. Pulse 96 to 100 on 8th day of disease, very soft and intermitting. On this account 3 oz. whisky given, increased on 10th day to 6 oz. Pulse rising to 104, and losing intermittent character. Crisis on 13th day by protracted sleep, and on 14th day, pulse 84, but tongue still dry and brown, gradually cleaning up to 17th day. Stimulants—whisky, 42 oz. in all, given from 8th day onwards on account of state of pulse, but very probably without necessity. See note to case 4, above.