Copy 1, Volume 2

The study of medicine. Containing all the author's ... improvements / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Containing all the author's ... improvements / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    712/724 (page 702)
    GEN. XII. Spec. IV. a A.Hydar- thrus. Natural structure of the synovial membrane destroyed. Symptoms. ‘Treatment. CL. 111. ] | HEMATICA. | [ORD. It. blisters, and, if necessary, repeats it from time to time; a plan, which he finds more effectual, than that of keeping a single blister open with the savine cerate. In a further stage, when the inflammation has yielded still more, he employs strong liniments, containing a proportion either of lin. ammonie, tinctura cantharidum, or sulphuric acid. The remaining stiffness will be removed by friction with the hand alone, or camphorated mercurial ointment; free exercise of the limb; or by allowing a column of water to be pumped on the joint from a height, as is practised at the watering-places. Another form of disease, affecting the synovial mem- brane, and commonly classed as a white swelling, is that in which the membrane is converted into a thick pulpy substance, of a light brown colour, intersected by white membranous lines. As the disease advances, it leads to ulceration of the cartilages, caries of the bones, wasting of the ligaments, and the formation of abscesses. According to Mr. Brodie’s investigation, the disease is slow, but, in the end, the joint is invariably destroyed. The case is rarely seen in any other joint than the knee. The disease commences with a slight stiffness and tu- mefaction, without pain. At last, the motion of the joint is generally seriously impaired ; though, in some cases, a certain degree of it remains. The swelling is less regular, than that produced by inflammation of the synovial mem- brane, and is soft and elastic, as if arising from fluid. The patient suffers no pain, until abscesses form, and the car- tilages ulcerate, at which period hectic fever usually comes on, and the patient gradually sinks, unless the limb be amputated. Mr. Brodie deems this form of the disease incurable. All that can be done, is to check its progress by rest and cold lotions; and to alleviate the pain attending ulceration — of the cartilages by fomentations and poultices. In the end, the limb must be sacrificed for the preservation of life ; at least, until some new treatment, capable of restoring the natural texture of the synovial membrane, be discovered. From certain accounts published of the effects of iodine, employed internally and externally, it would seem to de- serve a fair trial. Mr. Buchanan, of Hull, applies the