An introduction to clinical study, or, An interpretation of symptoms and signs. A manual adapted to the use of the hospital student / A G. Malcolm.

  • Andrew George Malcolm
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introduction to clinical study, or, An interpretation of symptoms and signs. A manual adapted to the use of the hospital student / A G. Malcolm. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    notice his healthy or unhealthy appearance; whether he suffers from recent or slight, chronic or severe, illness; whether he is correctly proportioned in conformation, or deformed ; and his very countenance, or, perhaps, it were more correct to say his whole bearing and mien, will frequently at once suggest the disease. Thus, many of the constitutional states are stamped so clearly that mistake is nearly impossible. Plethora, obesity, anemia, maras- mus, scurvy, syphilis, scrofula, caneer, gout, hysteria, insanity, are frequently indicated by a single attentive look. Also the febrile state. Further, many local diseases may be safely diagnosed from amere general inspection, and the distinction of these into cere- bral, pulmonary, and abdominal, not unfrequently at once made. But as this knowledge chiefly depends upon the interpretation of minute symptoms, which must be very gradually learnt, I shall merely refer in this place to some points of importance attainable by primd facie observation of the patient. Thus it is of consequence to find out, from the appearance, whether the disease is of brief or long duration—whether it has deeply impressed the constitution, whether the constitution is sound or decayed, whether there is any consti- tutional disease present, or whether it is merely loeal. These points ean be generally ascertained by one inspection. ‘The general appearance will also show whether the patient has been seized with illness whilst in the midst of good health, or whilst under the in- fluence of previous disease, whether his strength has much declined, and whether the general state present has any connection with the occupation in which he had been engaged. All nervous diseases are readily marked on a first inspection, during the paroxysm— hemorrhagic also, and cutaneous, of course. Again, should the patient be in the unconscious state, the general appearance may in- dicate delirium, coma, syncope, or convulsion. Among the most prominent symptoms in the general appearance, we have— The Compleaion.—This may be divided pathologically into three classes of cases. Ast, The anemic; 2nd, the hyperemic ; and 3rd, the discolourations. The anemic comprise all the complexions characterised by excessive paleness, and indicate the state of anemia. The second are distinguished by an abnormal amount of redness, either in unusual situations or general. In healthy and sanguine temperaments, there is a natural redness of the cheeks, and a natural glow in general all over the face. This must not be confounded with the red circumscribed flush of hectic disease; or again, the vinous redness observed in the face of the habitual tippler. Under other
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