Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-30

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seen, in this stage collapse most certainly produc
ed by the emeic. am well aware Of the par
tiality of many to this emetic. and Of their rea
sons; but | must say that disapprove Of produc
ing vomiting, in all stages of the disease, excep
the bilious stage of consecutive fever. think
it is apt to depress the energy OF the system still
farther. You will be told it gives an impulse
to the system, and that il produces bilious eva
cuations. This forced impulse is too often the
precursor of the indirect debility it produces.
and hasteus collapse. entertain, however, the
highest respect for the opinions o. hose who still
practice the mustard emetic: but am bound to
declare my opinions; and trust in stating my
opinion, they will charitably give me that Iber.
| ~ they would take to themselves.
The horrible symptom Collapse, comes next
IN order. 1t is characterized, as have describ-
ed the Musselburgh cases at the comm encement
Of this Memoir. by pulselessness, GOODNESS, loss
Of voice, terrible purgins and frequent vomiting.
and a total cessation of urine. Bleeding and
large opates by the mouth, and stimulation by
brandy, have been the practice in this stage; but
have no hesitation in saying that large Opiates
are wrong, aud that general bleeding, IN general
impracticable, is often hurtful and seldom useful
dare not detain YOU in giving nv reasons for
this opinion: but have studied the subject with
rious hands, and am bound to declare my con-
viction.
The best practice is to give large enema. of
from three to four pounds, OF as hot water as the
hand can bear, with six ounces Of brandy and
two drachms OF laudanum. After one hour this
enema should be withdrawn. by a tube in,roduc-
cd into the rectum. The enema is generally re-
turned verv cold, and another hot injection
should then be thrown IN.
All the ordinary means of restoring heat
should be studiously attended to, warm duents
frequently given with small portions at i,5urrr'u'
An Unsuitable thirst preyaiil,sa IN his anxiety
should Ss occasionally iee@sialy denied 1t, but
,L;s ia as cruel as il is Unnecessary. would
certainly be careful of the quantity. l would
withdraw this injection at the end OF another
hour, and then introduce an enema ot pouno
and half Of warm water in which two drachms
Of common tobacco is infused In nineteen cases
which | have witnessed, pulsarion and reaction
have followed the use OF the tobacco, and bilious
excavations and increased temperature. lhe
action of vomiting ,as nothing to do with the re-
suit; for in tire cases which witnessed there
was no vomiting after the exhibition OF the meui-
clnes. 80:
We are Indebted for this practice to an lngen':
Gus and most amiable gentleman, Mr.. baird VI
Newcastle II there Is much pain OF the ooweis'
particularly about the stomach, you can raise al
instantaneous blister by applying to the stomach
cloth lifted out Of boiling water, with great and
Immediate advantage. consider the vapor bath
and the air bath as very inefficient and trivial re-
msdies: but the hot tin mattress which 10 used IN
the HOSPITALS Of Edinburgh, will be found the
greatest Improvement possible; because It VIII
6ea, the back, which was never effected by any
other process before Next to this. Iprefer sand
bass to all other modes OF giving heat. During
the whole stage Of collapse. would recommend
tina, from two to three grains Of caomei be gwen
every two hours. and If the cramps, pains, aud
s;ckness are severe, l would add to the calomel
a quarter of grain Of opium. would satisfy
the raging thirst; and, from its saline qualities,
Derhaps contribute TO the ameloratIon oil the state
of the blood. by giving every hour. or alter eve
~ e., of vomiting, an eiferyescent drausht. COM
nosed "a folows:-rhree drachms OF super-car-
b,nate of soda, dissolved in eight ounces OF wa.
ter; .stassful mixed with one tablespoon
full of lemon-juice, and glass OF water. This
ia AN invaluable remedy. and should never be omit
ted. If you are fortunate enough to begin to see
that the excavations become feculent. then step
with full doses of calome, with the addition oil
ialap or rhubarb II vomiting IS harrassing
symptom, cup the epsastrium, and aud lew
drons of iau,anum to your effervescing draught'
If the collapse is very complete, the actual eau
terry is sometimes practlssd over the course D,
the spine; from the accounts Of my friends, and
the three cases which witnessed, would think
often with advantage. In the appendix nave
described an instrument for the purpose, which
lessons the alarm al so horrible remedy, and IN
deed concea's altogether its nature. canno
take leave of this stage without again most ear
nest,y recommending the large hot injections.
Blueness has been sand generally to character
lie this stage; but in this country that is not TIT
fact. The skin of the hands and face Is brown
ish, not blue 1t death to ensue. thersis dread
full low wall Of voice. which no man who ha
heard can ever forget The lowest moan OF tn
most wretched mendicant goes not to the hear
so poiguantly. A cold clammy sweat breaks lor #
ON ali the surface; the temperature rises, and tn
pulse even becomes more perceptible; the delec
, lions become frequent and severe, aud vomitln
sometimes, though not always. is excessive; in
. very short time the patient is corpse. Some
. tunes indeed the vomiting and purging. and eve
/ Il. xt~-.