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Credit: Lectures on the theory and practice of physic (Volume 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![person he could swallow easily. A sudden blast of cold air, the ap- plication of a cold hand to the skin, or the abrupt entrance of any person into the wards, brought on an attack of spasms. The muscles of the left hand and of the left side were affected much more than those of the right.. The mental powers were not impaired, the pa- tient was intelligent, and seemed anxious to communicate the par- ticulars of his case. During the whole course of the disease he retained a full power over the urinary discharge and defecation. There was some slight tenderness on pressure over the fourth and fifth dorsal vertebrae, but the rest of the spine exhibited no increase of sensibility. His skin was cool and dry, his pulse quick, weak,and small, his bowels inclined to be costive, but easily moved by 'laxatives. Here we see a marked difference between this affection and painters' colic. The treatment adopted in this case was very simple. Leeches were applied to the tender part of the spine, the patient was placed in a warm bath, and got some laxative medicine, followed by an opiate. He was also ordered to have a large flannel shirt, and to be placed in a warm, comfortable bed. He passed the night tolerably well, and next day appeared to he much improved. I shall not con- tinue the daily reports of this case, but shall merely mention, that. after a few days a great improvement took place. The spasms of the left side continued, though much less severe. Those of the purely voluntary muscles on the right ceased, while the spasms continued in the respiratory muscles on.this side. We found that all the muscles of the face which have been called respiratory by Sir C. Bell, the platysma, scaleni, pectoral, and intercostal muscles, and the dia- phragm, were thrown into violent spasms, while the purely voluntary muscles remained in a state of perfect quiescence. I am not aware that this circumstance has been observed in any other case. As lar as it goes, it tends to corroborate the views of Sir C. Bell. In the treat- ment of this case we employed narcotic frictions, particularly those composed of the extract of belladonna, to the spine, with considerable benefit. The patient was cured by very simple means, and at little expense to his constitution.* LECTURE XXXYIII. DR. BELL. Cholera Mohbus — Definition — Sydenham's description — Divisions of cholera.—. Sporadic or Common Cholera — Symptoms — Not a very fatal disease—Propor- tion of cases and deaths in the British troops in different regions— Greater pro- portionate mortality in northern than in southern latitudes — Often exceptions to this. — Caurea— Mutations of temperature from heat to cold, and errors in regi- men— Seat of the disease— Not often depending on inflammation. —Diagnosis.—. Treatment — Diluents— External irritation — Kinetics— Opium — Venesection occasionally — Calomel — Calomel and opium — Laxatives — Occurrence of gastro-enteritis — its appropriate treatment — venesection or leeching — laxatives, diluents, mild diaphoretics, and the warm hath. — Convalescence from cholera— Its treatment. Cholera Morbus, the name of the disease which will form the sub- ject of the present lecture, is a barbarous compound of Greek and * [Sinapisms, iollowing cups to the spine, constitute, with some, part of the regular treatment of lead-colic — B.] 30*](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21156955_0363.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
