The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-16
AddisOn's Disease.

u
reporter, is an affection of the supra
renal capsules. 1t is SO called from DR.
Thomas Addison, of Guys Hospital
London, who in 1856 first discovered it.
What are the suprarenal capsules
| doctor?" asked the reporter.
g The suprarenal capsules are two
small fattened glandular bodies of
| yellowish color, situated at the bacl
part of the abdomen, behind the peri
toneum (the membrane investing thu
surface of the abdomen), and immedi
ately in front of the upper kidney; hence
the name. They are classified under
the head of 'ductless glands" as they
have no excretory duct"
"What is the origin of the disease?'
THAT, in the present state of medi.
cal knowledge, is unknown.
90 1t is very rare disease, isn't it?''
! g 1t is not common, but is of frequent
occurrence-more, SO, in fact, than is
generally recognized, for many cases
escape attention, or are diagnosed as
different disorders"
" l don't think ever heard of the
disease until l saw recently the an
nouncement that young son of prom
inent citizen had died of 'Addison's dis
ease Whatare its symptoms, doctor?n
"a form of anemia characterized by
a dingy or dark discoloration of the
skin. 1t occurs without any discover
able cause whatever, presents in every
case the same general character, pur-
sues a similar course, and, with scarce
.lY/an exception, is followed, after a
variable period, with the same fatal re-
suit
''What age or sex does it specially
affect?n
lit occurs in both sexes. Generally,
though not exclusively, it attacks per-
sons of middle age
Can you give me popular descrip-
ton of it?n
THAT has already been done graphi-
cally by DR.. Addison. He says: 1t
makes its appearance in so slow and
insidious a manner that the patient can
hardly fix the date of his earliest feel
ing of languor which shortly becomes
so extreme. The countenance gets
pale, the whites of the eye grow pearly,
the general frame fiabby rather than
wasted; the pulse becomes perhaps
large but remarkably soft and compress
ible, occasionally with slight jerk, es-
pecially under the slightest excitement.
There is an indisposition to exertion,
with an uncomfortable feeling of faint
ness or breathlessness on attempting
any eXertion. The heart readily palpi-
tates and the whole surface of the body
presents smooth, blanched and waxy
appearance. The lips, gums and tongue
seem bloodless, and the appetite fails.
Extreme languor and faintness super
vene, breathlessness and palpitations
being produced by the slightest exer-
ton or emotion. Some slight swelling
may be seen about the ankles. Occa-
sionally the mind wanders. The patient
cannot get out of bed, but the bulkiness
of the frame is in singular contrast to
the exhaustion observable in every
other respect"
"How about the discoloration of
skim"
''That pervades the whole surface of
the body, but is most strongly mani
tested on the face, neck and superior
extremities. 1t presents dingy or
smoky appearance, or various tints or
shades of deep amber or chestnut
Sometimes the skin become as
dark as mulatto's.'
''What appearance do these bodies
show after death?''
''In certain cases of Addison's disease
there is observed in the suprarenal
capsules the presence of scottish, gray,
translucent matter, sometimes becom-
ING liquiied to cream-like consistency,
and sometimes solidifed into cretace-
Gus mass. The deposit replaces the
tissue of the organ, and, if extensive,
involves their Reorganization. Exam
ination after death, however, fails to
reveal LESSONS of important organs
adequate to explain symptoms and
DEATH
''Does the discoloration of skin al
ways accompany diseases of the SUI
prarenal capsules?"
'By no means invariably. And this
diScoloration may occur without renal
disease. 1t is, however, so frequent an
accompaniment, that DR.. Addison
dwells particularly on it.
"And the cure, doctor?'
''There is no cure for Addison's dis
ease known to the profession"
$50 when you find a patient has SUI
prarenal disease it is the same as read
ing his death warrant, eh?'
1.-The man who is afflicted with Adj
dison's disease ought to put his house
in order. y Washington Republican.