Records of maculated typhus, or ship fever : with suggestions of treatment: being the result of a series of observations made ... at South Boston and Deer Island hospitals in 1847-48 ... / By J.B. Upham. M.D.

  • Upham, J. B. (Jabez Baxter), 1820-1902
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Records of maculated typhus, or ship fever : with suggestions of treatment: being the result of a series of observations made ... at South Boston and Deer Island hospitals in 1847-48 ... / By J.B. Upham. M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    conditions, mental and physical, that strongly predispose to the reception of the contagion, and its subsequent develop- ment. Irregularity of any of the functions, and fatigue of body and mind, thus act. So after the actual invasion of the disease, nothing is more unfavorable to the result than this previous intellectual and physical exhaustion, especially if there 'is added the depressing influence of fear. Perhaps to the presence of these conditions we must look for the cause of the greatly increased ratio of mortality among the physicians and medical attendants who become the subjects of the fever. Statistics will show that no epidemic or contagious malady has ever visited our shores, or sprung up amongst us, which has proved so fatal to the ranks of our profession, according to the number exposed. Certain it is that, in this latter class, conjoined to the ordinary loss of nervous vigor, there exists a greater amount of mental anxiety and despondency, resulting from the appreciation of their own case, from which, happily for themselves, the usual subjects of this disease are in great measure exempt. As before suggested, due attention to ven- tilation and cleanliness in the wards, the avoidance of crowded rooms for patients, and the instant removal of all forms of filth from about their beds, together with a judicious use of disinfecting agents, did much to lessen the chance of commu- nication. When the morbid impression has been fairly made upon the system, and the formative stage, as pictured in the preced- ing cases, had commenced, attempts were made to arrest or cut short its progress. To this end, a powerful emetic was directed, aided by the warm bath, and followed by vigorous friction and sinapisms to various parts. A purgative of oil in aromatic emulsion was added, sufficient to clear the digestive canal. life; it was accomplished with much difficulty and delay, the inhalation of the foul breath of the patient meanwhile being unavoidable. Here the im- pression was strong upon the nervous system, and the sensations above de- scribed marked and unmistakable; a nurse who was assisting was affected in the same manner, and obliged to desist. This patient died on the follow- ing day. An immediate attention, on our part, to the precautions above named, dissipated the symptoms at once. 3
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