An encyclopedia of the practice of medicine, based on bacteriology / [John Buchanan].

  • John Buchanan
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An encyclopedia of the practice of medicine, based on bacteriology / [John Buchanan]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In our diagnosis of an.Linia neither the spleen, nor lymphatic system is to show any evidence of change ; if they do, then it may come under anotlier liead. The theory of the blood formation of the bone marrow has not been sustained. The alterations in the blood and marrow in the form of altered corpuscles are met witli in cancer, and they seem to be dependent on the cachectic state rather than the cause of it, and not in an;emia. There are three other blood diseases that bear a close resem- blance and analogy to an;emia—a resemblance due to the factor common to all of them : the diminution of the oxygen-carriers of the blood. In ana;mia, a decrease of red corpuscles ; in chlorosis, an imperfect evolution of the blood ; in leucocythajmia, an increased production of white corpuscles and an incomplete conversion of them into red ; in pseudo-leucocythajmia there is deficient formation of red corpuscles; in leucocytha^-mia, hyper- trophy of spleen almost invariably present; in pseudo-leucocy- thivmia, the lymphatic system greatly infiltrated. Chlorosis is essentially a disease of nervous origin ; centres of life are depressed, hence the process of cure is slow but pro- gressive. 1)1 the treatment of an;tmia general principles must be ob- served as to the removal of cause, enjoining quietness or rest in recumbent posture, attention to clothing and secretions, abund- ance of fresh air and sunlight. The true aim in treatment is to introduce, as quickly as assimilation will take it up, the most nutritious food with mineral acids, iron, cinchona and other tonics. The nourishing diet embraces milk, raw eggs, restora- tive soup, raw beef, essence of beef, blood, fish, poultry, roast beef and mutton, at stated intervals with pepsin if digestion is feeble. Our best remedies are those that increase blood formation most rapidly. Aromatic sulphuric acid and sulphate of quinine : one ounce of the former to thirty grains of the latter. Dose— fifteen to twenty drops thrice daily in water; or compound tinc- ture cinchona and simple syrup, of each two ounces ; to which add two drachms of muriatic acid.—Mix. Dose—a teaspoonful thrice daily in water. The greatest possible benefit is derived from peroxide of hydrogen in an.emia, it acts as a scavenger to the blood, it is a life-giving element, oxygenizes every tissue, increases the red discs. Benefit will be derived from iron, provided it does not cause irritation or fever, or provoke constipation, the acetate or muri- ated tinctures or iron b\- hydrogen. To prepare the acetated tincture, take a pound of lath nails and ■cover with good strong, sharp cider vinegar, or dilute acetic acid ;
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