Lectures on nursing / by William Robert Smith.

  • William Edward Smith
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on nursing / by William Robert Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    produces, with running at the eyes. When these symptoms arise, the medicine should be discontinued until the doctor is informed. Again, mercury is nearly always given with the object of producing slight soreness and swelling of the gums, with redness. This condition is usually spoken of as sponginess of the gums, or spongy gums: at the same time, a white line is seen along the gums by the side of the teeth. When the patient is under the influence of mercury, he will also complain of a peculiar metallic taste, and of his teeth feeling loose. If the medicine be per- severed with, all these symptoms will be increased; a peculiar odour will emanate from the patient, with profuse discharge of saliva. In short, he will be violently salivated—a state of things always to be avoided. As soon as the patient experiences soreness of his gums, the doctor should be immediately in- formed, as in most cases his object will be attained. Whether the medicine should be wholly or partially discontinued is a question for the physician’s judg- ment in individual cases; and, therefore, you must altogether be guided by the directions you will receive from him. Suppositories are small conical preparations of various substances which are inserted into the rectum. They are generally used for one of two purposes: either as astringents, as in cases of diarrhoea, or to relieve pain. Patients, as a rule, will be able to apply these themselves; but if they are unable to do so,
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