Succinct practical observations on the effects of bloodletting : containing an investigation of the practice of general and local abstraction of blood ; also how far leeches may be efficacious, independently of the evacuation they produce : to which are added ob[s]ervations on visceral inflammation after parturition / by Edward Geoghegan.

Date:: 1833

Credit: Succinct practical observations on the effects of bloodletting : containing an investigation of the practice of general and local abstraction of blood ; also how far leeches may be efficacious, independently of the evacuation they produce : to which are added ob[s]ervations on visceral inflammation after parturition / by Edward Geoghegan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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removal of constipation, the milder laxatives are much safer and more effectual than the irritating drastic purgatives, drastics, even when given in the smallest doses, irritate the stomach and bowels, and in this way are often productive of more mis- chief than the state they are intended to obviate, which state their frequent repetition tends more- over to confirm. Castor oil, or confection of senna or manna, 'taken in such doses only, as are found sufficient to obviate costiveness are the best medi- cines,” but he advises Lavements in preference. I have urged the same points in former publications, almost, totidem verbis, they cannot be too often impressed on Invalids. I have met numerous cases of pain in the head and irritation in the intestines, which I thought were perpetuated by pills, &c. to a very distressing degree, I advised an emetic at the commencement, and a glass of tepid water whenever the pain was felt, by which means the complaint was very frequently removed, the pur- gatives were always discontinued ; a blue pill and black draught have of late become a family re- ceipt, but a very dangerous one in unskilful hands. I saw a Gentleman at Bath of superior intelli- gence and education, swallow pills, (he carried with him,) together with warm malt drink and spirits, I supposed to help the stomach to convert what was noxious to it, into that which was whole- some, an effect very improbable, but the reverse not at all so—this abuse is not uncommon—Cave-

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