A report on the recent progress of psychological medicine and mental pathology / by C. Lockhart Robertson.
- Date:
- 1848
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A report on the recent progress of psychological medicine and mental pathology / by C. Lockhart Robertson. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
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![for the feather-bed, if the latter be used; and it is most essential that a nurse endowed with good sense and experience should he in attendance.’’ f>9. “ Counter.irritation is sometimes of considerable advantage under such circumstances, and a blister to the spine or dry cupping over that part will sometimes produce excellent effect. Esquirol speaks very favorably of blisters in the later stages of this form of insanity, when applied between the shoulders. “ In the adynamic form, attendant upon undue lactation, it is especially requisite to avoid any depletion or low diet. Sedatives are as important as in the other cases; and in addition to these, the use of tonics, such as qui- nine, bitter infusions with the mineral acids, the various preparations of iron, the moderate use of wine and beer, and, if possible, after a time a change to the invigorating breezes of the sea-side or a quiet village, will he advisable. One of the best means of lessening the irritability of the brain and the want of sleep, is shaving the head, and a persevering employment of refrigerant lotions to that part. V. GENERAL PARALYSIS OF THE INSANE. 00. “ General paralysis,” sav the Commissioners in Lunacy, “ has been almost invariably thought to he hopeless of recovery, and its victims usually perish within two or, at least, three years from the commencement of the disease. Most of the medical officers who have had great experience in the treatment of general paralysis recommend, especially in the early stages, the use of all those means which are generally adopted with the intent of reducing too great vascular fulness in the head. They advise shaving the head, the application of leeches to the head or neck, cupping-glasses to the neck, re- peated blisters on the head or neck, setons in the neck, and the use of mer- cury and purgative medicines. Patients labouring under general paralysis are well known to be liable to paroxysms which resemble epileptic fits, and which often terminate fatally. In these instances recourse is generally had to topical bleeding by cupping-glasses. [In all cases of general paralysis, even while these depletory measures are being used, a stimulating diet will he found necessary.] “ In the later stages of general paralysis, there is not only a loss of the powers of animal life, locomotion, articulation, and of command over the sphincters, but the tone of the blood-vessels and the vitality of the solid parts are greatly reduced, a great tendency to sloughing, especially over the sacrum, exists, and extensive ulcerations further undermine the strength, and tend to bring on dissolution. To obviate these evils in some degree care is requisite. The use .' hydrostatic beds is often resorted to.” [These Reports will be continued as occasion demands.—Ed.] Note to § VIII, No. 41, • Chemical Palh<-lcfn/ of the Blood,’ (p. 403).—Since writing this Report, we have received Mr. Sheppard’s 'Observations on the Proximate Cause of Insanity,’ London 1(144; the perusal of which has increased the surprise we have already expressed (foot-note p. 403) that Dr. Gurnett, in his essay * Insanity Tested by Science,’ ice., London 18411, should appear to imagine himself to be the originator of the theory that Insanity may lie a disease seated in the blood, and that his work should contain no mention at all of ilr. Sheppatd’s earlier publication on the tame eubject. c. iHn t tijUHii, rainicas, asmikiuoskw cu>«r.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21971699_0042.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
