Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-05-24
xsnnes1c MEDICAL
Tconsinued from I'd page

Typhiiri.. 0. eariris is an Inflammation
Of the esecnn, and veruniform appendix In
a large majority Of eases IL is caused BY
seeds. or foreign bodies which become
lodged in the ca-euD. causing iBHsmmAuon
and resulting in liberation
Perityphllfis, Is the name implies. Is an
inflammation OF thu connective tissue, about
the colon, cscurn and sppendir, often re-
sulting in an atscess.
These diseases are Of modern reeogni-
ton and have come prominently before the
medical profession during the past few
years. because of the frequent and success =
full surgical operations for their relief. Ia
recent surgical phraseology 1t IS called
Operation for Appendicitis.
Embolism and thombosis are pathology
cal conditions which have been brought TO
notice in recent years. They are prac'i-
eally the same disease, though embohsm IS
rapid and thrombosis is slow IN results
They are caused by plugs OF horin, when
form in the course of an artery; out most
frequently on the mitrsl and acrtic valves
Of the heart, when they are detached AMI
carried in the blood to the brain where they
find Judgement in The smaller arteries-they
may but rarely. find Judgement else
where in the circulation; but the
brain is the usual location, eau lg
paralysis 10 greater or less degree
according to the size AMI number OF
plugs. The results resemble hemorrl- ye
in the brain or apopiexy; but usually of
less serious consequences
Atheroma, or art. rial sclerosis is another
of the new diseases that has claimed atten-
tion the last few years. 1t has lately been
brou hit into prominence, from the fact
that il caused the death of our distinguished
tow nsman. James C. Blaine, In this dis
ease the raiial artery of the wrist is often
felt to he hardened, tortuous and irregular
in outline. The pulse is feeble; the brain,
lungs, heart and kidneys are very apt to
become involved in this form of disease.
Gangrene of the feet may occur, and sooner
or later it terminates fatally.
Now here in the domain of medicine las
greater progress been made during the last
80 years, than in the functional and organic
diseases of the cerebrU-s pinal-axis. fine
brain has been mapped out into sections, it,
functions determined 50 that now We can
tell what part of the organ is diseased OF
injured by the effect it produces on speech,
taste, sight, smell, sensation and motion.
columns conducting tracts anterior and
posterior roots and white and grey nerve
tissues, and their various and complicated
functions have become SO well understood
that physicians can tell what part of the
cord is diseased, give correct prognosi'
and prescribe the proper treatment. Thi'
know ledge has led us to recognize large
number of new diseases of the nervous ,y :
TEN. have now only time to mention ths
following.
Loeomotor ataxia or tables dorsalis, was
first brought prominently to the attention
of the medch profession by Duchenne o.
Paris about 80 years ago. Since then GU
knowledge of this class of diseases hai
grown rapidly. Locomotor ataxia is one O
the most frequent organic diseases of tbs
spinal cord. 1t is n disease of the posterio
columns of the cord, and at the begnnin.
only effects sensation and coordination
but later extending to the literal and anter
Tor columns, causing paralysis of the lowel
extremties.
Neurasthemia, is the new name given Il
nervous prostration, functional weakness
of the spinal chord, or nervous debility
1t has been extended so far as to almost in
clude hvsteria. 1t is better sounding
name and finds more favor with our pa
tients. To have hysteria is considered
almost a reproach, but to have neuesthemis
is more refined, ard by some it seems to b,
luxury.
Cerebro spinal sclerosis is a disease af
fecting both the brain and spinal cord. Or
examination there are found studdec
over the meiulla oblongata and cord
well defined modules of sclerotit
tissue. The disease comes OF
slowly; there is headache vertigo, menta
disturbances, burning in the limbs, etc. TIE
patient notices very soon a loss of co-orfii
mating power. He cannot control his hand,
in writing and there is more or less paresi,
of the ex,remities. These symptoms go OF
from bad to worse and end fatally in from
five to ten years.
La Grippe is the last, but not the least OF
or new diseases. Its n2me is of Poli,i
origin and was given to a severe type OF
influenza which ragged in the east many
Years ago. 1t resembles in many respect.
our former epiilemics of influenza which
prevailed over wide extent of the United
States in 1913 and 1873; yet, so far rs my
observation goes it is more severe
in character; the nervous symptoms
are more pronounced and the
train of ills it leaves behind in form OF
lung, heart and nervous diseases, are far
more disastrous to health and life. Like
diphtheria which struck this country in ls6C
with its greatest force and malignancy, ex-
tending in two years as far west as the
Rocky mountains, its fatal type since has
been greatly modified Its epidemic charac.
ter has lost its force and now only showing
itself sporadically here and there. | believe
We shall meet la grippe now and then for
many years to come. but never again
our generation. as fatal and far reaching
its effects, or extending over as wide eA. 4
of country as it did in 1890.
| am strongly inclined to believe that F,
grippe is new disease bearing similar
relation to influenza that measles does to
German measles; contagious under favor
able conditions, and occurs only or & in the
same individual. know that people otter
tell of having typhoid fever and la grippe
three or four times, but have never seen
web defined attack of either repeated in
the samP patient.
The great epidemic of Ia grippe fir,
appeared in Augusta about Christ Ias 1883,
and subsidized in March. 1890. There wer,
hut few, if any eases again till Christmas
1891 although week or two earlier =
WAS prevalent in Boston and vicinity. Mrs.
II. =. Getehell of HallowelI, visited friends
in Lynn, about Christmas, who had the die
ease. When she came home she VIZ
taken with the la grippe and it rapidly
spread to other members of the family and
to the town. January LIST, 1892, Mr. II. II
Harvey, came from Boston to Augusta and
was taken sick the same day. and in five
days every member of the family was down
with the la grippe, and it spread very rapid
ly from this center. These were the first
cases in this vicinity, so far as | coull
ascertain.
New diseases are very rare | admit, and
often are only old diseases revived witt a
new name; but every malady, as well "a
every thing else must have beginning at
some time and place.
The origin of diseases is a curious and
interesting study. 1t is generally conceded
that nearly all our epillemics and contagi-
Gus diseases originate in the East. Many
come from China, and many are traced to
the pestilential banks of the Ganges; their
course is always westward; follow ing the
lines of travel and commerce. and probably
for the same reason that, ''Westyard the
course of empire takes its way
There are certain conditions With
call disease into existence. In the
case of malaria, we know well wis
these conditions are--hest, moisture and
,leeaying vega,stiou-only found in certain
localities. even, then when these have been
removed, as often happens, wiien a swamp
has been cleared up, the land drained, the
disease disappears from that locality for
ever.
A thousand years ago there were plants
and animals on the earth thst do not exist
today, AMI thousand years hence some of
the species of plants and animals of the
present time will cease to exist.