The surgeon's vade mecum : a manual of modern surgery / by Robert Druitt.

  • Druitt, Robert, 1814-1883.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The surgeon's vade mecum : a manual of modern surgery / by Robert Druitt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    taken a narcotic poison. Nausea and vomiting; hiccup; suppressiou of urine ; and in children, convulsions, are also very frequent s)-mptoms. The duration of these symptoms is also extremely various. .'Some- times they pass off very quiclily ; but they may remain even for forty- eight hours before reaction is thoroughly established. Terminatioxs.—The process of recovery from collapse is commonly called reaction; and if this is healthy and niodeiate, and especially if the collapse does not arise from iujiu'y of any vital organ, and is not attended with the other unfavourable circumstances to be mentioned presently, it will lead to complete i-ecovery. Secondhj. If reaction Ije imperfectly developed, or if the injury to the nervous system be severe, that state of nervous iiritation may follow which is described in the next chapter. Thirdli/. If reaction be altogether wanting, the collapse will temiinate in death by syncope or astlienia. Causes.—Collapse may be caused by every variety of injury to which mind or body is liable;—great and sudden extremes of grief, or joy, or fear, or cold ;—large doses of any corrosive or sedative poison, such as arsenic, or tobacco ;—great loss of blood, and mechanical injuries. It is most important that the surgeon should know what injuries are most likely to be followed by fatal collapse, in order that he may have proper materials for giving his prognosis. They are :—■ Injuries of organs that are necessary to life, as the stomach and brain, or that are intimately connected witli the visceral system of nerves, as the testicle and eye; and it is well known that severe con- cussion of these organs may extinguish life instantaneously ;—extensive injuries of any sort, especially of the skin and joints ;—lacerated and gun-shot wounds ; extensive burns ;—and injuries that cause very great pain. Severe pain, by itself, is capable of exhausting the vital powers. Lasth;. Injuries occurring to the very aged ; or to persons that are enfeebled by excess and intemperance, or by long-standing bodily dis- ease, or mental depression; injuries, moreover, which produce a stite of blood unfavourable for reparation, or which find the blood in tliat state. From this it will be learned that the slightest injury or sur- gical operation may pi'ove fatal to persons who labour under chronic organic disease, especially of the kidneys; or who have been harassed by continued anxiety and despondency of mind; so that in almost any case a firm persuasion tliat i-ecovery is impossible is almost sufii- cient to render it so. Trf.atment.—Supposing a jiatient to have just received a severe injury, and that independently of hsemorrhage, orof any local injury, he is in such a state of faintness and depression as to render liis life pre- carious, the indication is, to excite the heart and brain to a moderate and Iiealthy reaction. The remedies are, stimulants, of which hot brandy and water for Formula 27) is the best;—nourislnnont, such as beef-tea;—and warmth by means of blankets, or of heated bricks, or bottles of hot water ]iut under the axilla; and between the thighs.