A case of anthrax : successfully treated / by David Hosack.

  • David Hosack
Date:
[1809]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case of anthrax : successfully treated / by David Hosack. 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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    pus: the apertures were small, but numerous, resembling the cells of a sponge, or honey-comb. It continued tnus to discharge for several days. We did not think it necessary to enlarge the openings, through which the matter was evacuated, as directed by Mr. Kirkland, David,* Mr. Cooper, t and the Editors of the Edinburgh Practice of Physic and Surgery. In cases where the ulceration may be of greater extent than in the present instance, and the quantity of matter very great, this practice may be adviseable and necessary. About the 22d, we directed the poultice to be omitted, and the wound to be dressed with simple cerate. Within twenty-four hours after this ^change in the application, the quality of the discharge was sensibly altered. Instead of a healthy- pus, a thin sanies, as in the beginning of the disease, was again poured out. The complexion of the tumour also assumed a darker appearance; and his friends again became alarmed for his safety. Finding these changes, we again advised the tumour and neighbouring parts to be bathed with brandy, and the poul- tice of bark and yeast to be renewed. From this time the wound recovered its healthy aspect, and continued to heal, without an unpleasant symptom. When the discharge totally ceased, and the wound had be- come cicatrized, a light compress of linen, wet with rum or brandy, was directed to be applied to the yet tender sur- face of the part affected. As he still continued to complain of an itching over the whole surface of the body, we put him on the use of the decoction of Sarsaparilla and Guiac. On the 7th April he was discharged cured, and returned to his family, in Monmouth. If it were necessary, I could here add the history of ano- ther very formidable instance of this disease, as it occurred in the family of the British Consul, Col. Barclay; in which precisely the same treatment was pursued, and with the same happy result. * See a very valuable memoir on abscess, by this writer, in the Memoires de T Acad, de Chir. torn. iv. t See First lanes of the Practice of Surgery. [Medical Repository.]