Abstract of lectures on clinical medicine : delivered in the Royal Infirmary of Aberdeen during session 1866-67 / by James W.F. Smith and Archibald Reith.

Smith, James W. F.

Date:: 1867

Credit: Abstract of lectures on clinical medicine : delivered in the Royal Infirmary of Aberdeen during session 1866-67 / by James W.F. Smith and Archibald Reith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Glycosuria may be induced by various means. Any tiling- causing congestion of tlie hepatic circulation, section of pneumo- gastric nei\e, the administration of chloroform, ligature of the portal vein and hepatic artery, will all be followed by the formation of sugar. (In ligature of the hepatic artery, sugar is found in the liver, but not in the urine, as no blood escapes from the liver in the circumstances.) Certain lesions of the cerebro-spinal system, especially, if not exclusively, the medulla oblongata, are followed by glycosuiia. It would seem that the cervical sympathetics and the vertebral plexus have some influence in the matter, for section of them will often induce the formation of sugar. The treatment of glycosuria is mainly and chiefly dietary—the abstinence of all saccharine food. The following are the articles a diabetic patient may eat and drink. (Pavy.) Butcher’s meat of all kinds, except liver; ham, bacon, or other smoked, salted, dried, or cured meats; poultry; game; fish of all kinds, fresh, salted, and cured; animal soups not thickened, beef tea and broths; almond, bran, or gluten bread; eggs, in any form; cheese ; butter; cream; greens ; spinach ; water-cress ; mustard and cress ; green lettuce ; jelly, not sweetened ; blanc-mange made with cream, not milk ; custard without sugar. May drink—tea; coffee; cocoa from nibs; dry sherry; claret; brandy and spirits not sweetened ; soda water. In mild cases, milk may be allowed spar- mgly. In the treatment of diabetes there is a very fair field for the trial of nervine remedies. In one case, I found nux vomica exer¬ cise a marked effect; the density of the urine falling 10 degrees in a day or two, without change of diet. The patient would not, how¬ ever, remain.$