Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-27
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING. MAY 27, 1858
NFpV0Us SYSTEM In FEVERS


NERVOUS SYSTEM IN FEVERS
Abstract of Report on Nervous System IN re- re
brile Diseases, by Dr. Henry Frazer Campoeh'
of Augusta, Georgia.
Among all that has beer "r'teh ON VIC
subject of the N;rvous Sys'em, there IS one
relation in which it may lie sad tins import
ant portion Of the human economy has never
vet been advantageously discussed. We re-
fer to the relation which this system sus-
tains to that i'm portant class of diseases ordi-
parily designated fevers. l do not, it will be
remarked. pretend to say that this subject
has not been fully discussed, for such an as
sertion would be unwarrantablo. A great
deal Of valuable information has been accu-
mulsted upon this subject, and at the present
day our profession, or rather tie more think
ing portion Of it, admit fully that it Is IN this
system, and especially in this system. that
we must look for those influence which
give character and type to our iebrile dis
eases.
There are at present several prominent
theories pertaining to the nature and cause
of fever, viz: The tumoralis,s locate these al
fections as well as all others in the blood and
other fluids of the body; another class locate
them precisely in some one or other OF the
vi.cera; willie 9th, re- again recognize that 1t
is in the nervous system that We must look
for every thing which is necessary to account
for all the phenomena presented by this class
Of diseases.
Growing out Of the discussion of the sub
iect by these several classes OF Psychologists
there is 90 amount Of uncertainty and con'u-
sion in regard to the nature Of these diseases
which is eminently calculated to retard the
progress of correct science In this. wa might
saw. most i'm portant department OF medicine
Thus those who call themselves humorallsts
appear almost to ignore the influence OF tue
nervous system and other solids IN the pre-
duetion OF the febrile phenomena, while. on
the other hand, those who have advocated the
nervous origin of those affections deny with
too much exclusiveness the iuhueoce OF the
fluids in those same DEVELOPMENTS.
Again: The neuro pathologiSts are divided
among themselves. Thus one class attribute
all the phenomena of fevers to the cerebrospi-
nal system, while the other class as exciu-
sively refer them to the organic system OF
nerves. Each of these SectS Of neuro pathOl-
ogists present many strong and apparently
incoutrovertible arguments in substantintion
of the particular doctrine Of each. Whiie AT
the same time in the present state OF medi
cine, each one of these doctrines, apparently
40 consistent in themselves, are liable to OBJ
jectioas which the facts Of anatomy and ply
siology, as heretofore recognised, render ed
tirely insurmountable.
The object of the essay now presented IL
to discuss briefly the phenomena presented
in febrile diseases, and the several more pro-
minent theories in regard to these phencme'
ma, and finally to show that the difficulties IN
the neuro pathic view of their pathology can
be fully concliated by the application OF a
new function of toe nervous system in the ex'
planation of the conflicting facts. This new
function referred to was first announced to
the profession in June, 1850 and T. this A'so'
citation in 1853, and again 10 1857, at Its
last meeting IN the city of Nashville.
Previous to the clear, full admission OF this
new function, hold that it was impossible
to PROFOUND any consistent or acceptable doc
trine on the nature OF fsvers. while with II
your essayist hopes to show that doctrine
presenting both pathological and physiolc
gical consistency can be presented.
We hope to show that, in the Application
of ercito-secretory action to the present doc
trines of fever, the truth Of the present doc
trjues will be more fully established, while
all conflicting facts will meet ready and
satisfactory Cancellation. ln the course o.
this discussion observations of my own and
those which deem of value presented by
others, have been freely used to develop re
suits by careful and legitimate induction.
bold it my duty here to state. further
that while have endeavored to develop
consistent and unexceptiopable explanation
of fever, l have at the same time thought
myself justi6able in calling attention to the
truitfulness in valuable practical results oil
the excitc-secretory system of nerves.