First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2).

  • William Cullen
Date:
1805
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2). 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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    'Which they are applied much more than they do the whole system, and they are therefore indeed safer in ambiguous cases ; but, for the same reason, they are of less efficacy in curing a general affection. 1164.] The external applications which may be applied to affect the whole system, are the powers of heat and cold, and of electricity. Heat, as one of the most powerful stimulants of the ani- mal economy, has been often employed in palsies, especi- aliy by warm bathing. But as, both by stimulating the so- lids and rarefying the fluids, this proves a strong stimulus to the sanguiferous system, it is often an ambiguous reme- dy ; and has frequently been manifestly hurtful in palsies depending upon a congestion of blood in the vessels of the brain. The most certain and therefore the most proper use of warm bathing in palsies, seems to be in those that have been occasioned by the application of narcotic pow- ers. Are the natural baths more useful by the matters with which they may be naturally impregnated?* 1165.] Cold applied to the body for any length of time, is always hurtful to the paralytic persons; but if it be not very intense, nor the application long continued, and if at the same time the body be capable of a brisk reaction, such an application of cold is a powerful stimulant of the whole system, and has often been useful in curing palsy. But, if the power of reaction in the body be weak, any appli- cation of cold may prove very hurtful.f 1166.] Electricity, in a certain manner applied, is cer- tainly one of the most powerful stimulants that can be em- ployed to act upon the nervous system of animals; and therefore much has been expected from it in the cure of palsy. But, as it stimulates the sanguiferous as well as thu nervous system, it has been often hurtful in palsies depend- ing upon a compression of the brain; and especially when it has been so applied as to act upon the vessels of the head. It is safer when its operation is confined to particular parts somewhat remote from the head ; and, further, as the ope- ration of electricity, when very strong can destroy the mo- * The natural baths contain so small a quantity of impregnating substances as induces us to that ihey cannot have any beneficial powers superior to those of ordinary waim bail's. ' of warm baths ought not to be promiscuous In cases of palsies, arising from co- ns, as the fumes of arsenic or inelals, and their ores, the warm baths seldom tail of procuring relief; and some instances have been given by authors of complete cures having been 'I by the u e of Ijath- + Hie very (real uncertainty of ihe power of reaction always makes the application of cold a tbtful remedy ; and, as it is evidently hurtful wherever the reaction is weak, it ough; to bo u»ed with e.tucmc caution.
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