A handbook of the theory and practice of medicine / by Frederick T. Roberts.
- Frederick Thomas Roberts
- Date:
- 1885
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A handbook of the theory and practice of medicine / by Frederick T. Roberts. Source: Wellcome Collection.
77/1050 page 59
![doubt that it is not made use of to tlie extent wliicli it deserves. By tliis means tlie vessels of a part can be considerably relieved, and tlius a most beneficial local effect produced, wbile tlie general bulk of tlie blood is not materially diminislied, or tlie patient injured in any appreciable degree. h. Some powerful medicinal agents bave of late years come into vogue in the treatment of inflammation, namely, certain vascular de- pressants, which affect the circulation through a direct infl.uence upon the heart and vessels. Of these the most important are aconite, vera- trum viride, and digitalis in full doses. Tincture of aconite has been found especially useful in the milder and limited forms of inflammation. Tartar emetic has long occupied a prominent position in the treatment of certain inflammatory affections, and justly so ; it exerts a powerful influence over the heart, while at the same time it increases some of the secretions. c. A class of remedies often of much value, if properly employed, are those which increase the principal secretions and excretions, and thus relieve the blood-vessels, namely, ijurgatives, cliaj)]ioretics, and diuretics. Purgatives must be used cautiously, but it is generally advisable to keep the bowels freely open, and particularly when the blood is loaded with products of tissue-waste. The best diaphoretic is some form of bath^ especially the vapour, hot-air, or Turkish bath. Jaborandi has been found useful in some forms of inflammation. Salines are also fre- quently of much service. Of course these classes of remedies are severally contra-indicated should there be any local inflammation of the bowels, skin, or kidneys. d. Local treatment.—There are certain important local means of sub- duing the increased vascular action in inflammation. Among these the mosb valuable is the application of cold. Cold may be applied by means of rags dipped in water or evaporating spirit-lotions; irrigation; ice, or a mixture of ice and salt contained in a bladder or india-rubber bag. It is in the early stage that this remedy proves most useful, and when the inflammation is quite superficial or affects structures near the surface. Heat and moisture act very beneficially in some cases, applied in the form of hot poultices or hot fomentations. In others, turpentine fomentations, dry-cupping, mustard |)oultices, or blisters are valuable. All these applications act mainly by inducing determination of blood to the surface. The local use of belladonna has been found valuable in inflammation of superficial parts, especially a mixture of equal parts of extract of belladonna and glycerine; lead-lotion and allied applications are also useful in some cases. 2. The second indication is to endeavour to promote the speedy absorption, or the removal in some other way,''of exudation or other onorhid products, and thus to restore the implicated organ or tissue to as normal a condition as possible. This will be favoured by attention to many of the points already mentioned, such as rest and position. In order to aid absorption certain alteratives are extensively used.^ Of these mercury in some form is very commonly employed. In syphilitic inflammations this drug acts most efficiently, but in other cases it ought as a rule to be avoided, or at least used with particular caution; a great deal of harm has been and still is done by its indiscriminate use. Iodine, especially in the form of iodide of potassium, is often of real value. Liquor potasste and the alkaline bicarbonates are also serviceable sometimes.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b20400111_0077.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
