On the theory of inflammation : inaugural dissertation / by J.J. Drysdale.

  • Drysdale, John James, 1817-1892.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the theory of inflammation : inaugural dissertation / by J.J. Drysdale. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    first be mentioned mercury. Mercury, we know, ] possesses a more powerful stimulating influence ' on the capillaries than almost any other medicine, : and accordingly it has been employed with great success in inflammation of almost every organ of the body. The explanation of the action of calo- mel and opium is in these cases simple and satis- feictory on the theory of diminished action: in feet, mercury gives us precisely what is required in the treatment of inflammation, viz. a remedy which will stimulate the capillaries without at the t same time increasing the action of the heart. Mercury in its physiological action is described by all authors on the Materia Medica as a power- ful and universal stimulant to the capillary sys- tem. Such being the case, one would naturally think, that in a disease consisting essentially in increased action of these vessels, as inflammation is usually considered to be, it would be the very last substance recommended as a remedy, but, on the contrary, would lie exhibited with extreme caution where other indications were to be ful- filled, from its tendency to stimulate those vessels already in a state of increased action. But expe- rience has shewn, that so far from being hurtful, it is of all single remedies the most powerful and useful in the cure of inflammation. Here there is