Report on the medical topography and statistics of the centre division of the Madras Army / Compiled from the records of the Medical Board Office.

  • Madras State
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the medical topography and statistics of the centre division of the Madras Army / Compiled from the records of the Medical Board Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    137/172 (page 121)
    effects of syphilis, to both conjoined, and to the sequeloe of malarious poison. It has been found in the intermittent form of rheumatism, that mercury, mineral acids, and the other usual treatment for rheumatic pains, afford but temporary relief; arsenic however has been found highly useful, and quinine given as a tonic in small doses, but especially in larger doses with a view to obtain its anti-periodic influence, has been attended with the best results. The primary object, in the treatment of that form of the dis¬ ease fol] owing the use of mercury, is to improve the gene¬ ral health of the patient, and this has been best effected by means of the simple and compound decoction of sarsaparilla, bitters, mineral acids, occasional laxatives, and opiates at bed¬ time to procure rest; with the local application of leeches, blisters, and stimulating liniments; flannel rollers to the limbs have also produced much benefit in such cases; mercury has been frequently given, but invariably with only temporary be¬ nefit, and the pains have been observed to return, even when the system was under its influence. In the second class of cases, where the system is tainted with syphilis, along with the preceding treatment, mercury has very often been found extremely efficacious, given in the form of Plummer’s pill or the blue pill, as an alterative. Helapses are very common in this form of the complaint, and the patient becomes weakened and emaciated from constant sufiering, the digestive organs sympathise with the disease of the general system, and dyspepsia in some of its various shapes is invariably present. Iodine, in the form of the Hydriodate of potash, has of late years been found extremely useful in the various forms of rheumatism especially the syphilitic. It has been employed very generally for several years past, but as yet it has not had a fair trial, the supply being limited; the testimony of II. M.’s medical officers however, is invariably favourable to it, as a powerful alterative and tonic. Q