Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-31

of some venomous insect borrowing be-
meath the cuticle in the region Of the loins.
If this be SO, the cure may be both delicate
ana difficult; but the image of the soft and
tender skin Of beautiful woman perfora
ted, like some moth-eaten parchment, is so
distasteful to our maginations, that we
must be permitted 10 suspend our opinion
on the subject, till some stronger proofs be
adduced.
The medical world has bee n much divi
ded, as usual, on the question, whether
this novel disease be epidemic or conta-
gous. A vast amount Of learning and in
genulty has been expended in the contro-
versy, without throwing much light on the
subject Of debate; it has lief; the respective
disputants more welded than ever 10 their
own opinions.
The progress Of this pecuier malady,
like that of its great prototype, the Asiatic
cholera, is altogether astonishing, and mil
itates against every conclusion of analogy
and experience. 1t has been known in a
few hours 10 reach its utmost degree of
tumelaction and young ladies whose
sylPh-llke tenuty Of form was the orna-
,ment and admiration of the evening enter
stainment, have emerged from their cham
bers in the morning accoutred with pack
Of such prodigious dimensions, that, with
little effort of imagination, they Nigh, be
mistaken for gypsies on their march,
bending beneath the weight of all their
household goods. The morbid action in
dictated by this preternatural growth, would
seem TO demand the exhibition Of the most
speedy and decisive remedies. Lecching,
cupping, and other applications might pal
late. but could scarcely arrest the progress
Of this extraordinary swelling. The eau
terry and the knife could alone be relied on
for its effcctual eXtrpation. The opera
ton. however, would be hazardous; for the
vitality exhibited by its rapid development,
bctrays its connection 18th the arlcrial
system. The cxcis;on OF SO large mass
from the body, would, under any circum-
stances, be attended with a sense of ex-
haustion, and might seriously affect the
nervous system, particularly when the I'M
fortunate patient, from delusve concep-
ton Of the disease, is aversc to the ncces-
sary measures of relief
1t is supposed, from the prevalence Of
go;trcs and idoicy in the same districts Of
Switzerland, that there is some incxpIica-
bic conncXion between that cXcresencc and
the brain. We are not prepared to deny
the truth Of this conjecture; but by parity
Of reasoning we may think It much more
probable, that the bishop, resting as it does
on the spinal column, and thus communi-
eating directly with the seat Of perception,
should exercise a still greater influence on
the powers Of the understanding. |, is al
together impossible, that medulary sub
stance, occupying the chambers Of the era
mum, should, from the power Of gravila-
ton, or an irregular circulation Of the flu
ids, have abandoned, in a great measure.
the cavity of the skull, and accumulated
on the lower region of the spine, so as to
form this extraordinary enlargement? We
throw out this idea as mere hypothesis,
to be tested by future investigation. Ger
tain 1t is, that the subjects Of this strange
disease arc characterized by a lcyty and
volatility, which increase in a ration with
the growth Of the dorsal tumefactior. If
this bump had made its appearance on the
Uranium, phrenology would have furnished
a ready explanation Of the phenomenon
but unIuckily the Disciples of that useful
science have not extended their enquiries
to the mental qualities indicated by the ir-
regularlies Of the spine.
The qualifications Of this swelling seem
TO be spreading horizontally, and it is APP
pretended, that it may ultimately encircIe
|, l.
tinuous ridge, which no illusion of the i'm
agination can transform into the cestus Of
Venus, or the girdle Of Florimel. Mot to
speak Of the unpleasant surmises 10 which
such an unseemly protuberance must give
rise, the most serious physical derange-
ment may he anticipated from this cnor-
nous pressure on the diaphragm.
The unwllIingncss Of the fair sufferers
to submit TO medical examination. renders
il impossible TO ascertain with precision
all the symptoms Of this disease; but so
far as VIC have observed, the most promi-
nent are, slight febrle action, nervous ex-
ctabilty, glddincss o. the bead, restless
ness, excessive hightiness, and an Inordi- !
nate p:ocllvlty to the intoxicating pleas I
ures Of fashionable life. These symptoms
may vary in degree according TO the cha
racter and constitution Of the patient, but
they are believed TO be the usual concom-
itants of this singular affection. They
proclaim that the nervous system is deeply |
implicated, and that every indulgence Of
an exciting nature must be be pernicious |
1t is evident, therefore, that retirement, |
solitude and quiet are essential 10 re-
covery. We should advise, as a prelimi-
nary to any course of treatment, resi-
dcnce in some secluded mountain-valev, |
where pure air, rural occupations, roman
tic scenery. and an absence Of the tempta-
tons and frivoltics of the gay world, might !
gradually renovate the tone Of the nervous |
system. and prepare the way for a radical
expulsion Of this hideous excrescencc.