Report on the progress of pathology, practical medicine, and therapeutics; for the years 1842-3-4 / By James Risdon Bennettt.

  • Bennett, James Risdon, 1809-1891.
Date:
[1845]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the progress of pathology, practical medicine, and therapeutics; for the years 1842-3-4 / By James Risdon Bennettt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    virtues of the potato, which he confirms by his own observation on board ship, on various occasions.* Climacteric disease. Dr. H. Kennedyf justly observes that nothing- has been added to this subject since the original paper of Sir H. Halford, throughout which Dr. Kenuedy thinks an erroneous idea prevails, viz. that the affection occurs only in the aged. “ At least,” he says, I may state with certainty that an affection which agrees in every respect with climacteric disease is by no means (infrequently met with in individuals between 20 and 30 years of age.’7 His chief object is to direct attention to this point. He alludes to the fact that the various pains which very commonly usher in the attack are in a marked degree periodic. Weakness of the knees is a common symptom, not always connected with or dependent on exercise, but coming on at a particular time, even when the patient is at rest. The disease often sets in with acute symp¬ toms, which are apt to lead astray, particularly when referrible to the head. Loss of sleep is the most constant symptom, and loss of flesh and a marked change in the countenance are also very constant phenomena; but he disagrees with Sir Henry Halford regarding the acceleration of the pulse; having seen cases in which, from first to last, the pulse was not in the least quickened. Partial paralysis (imperfect i. e.) is common. He disagrees with Sir Henry Halford in reference to the renal secretion, which Dr. Kennedy has found diminished, and often depositing the lithates throughout the illness. Men suffer more (luring the progress of the disease from derangement of the digestive system and brain, and women from symptoms referrible to the lungs or heart. The average duration of the complaint is about nine months. In regard to diagnosis, there is danger of confounding many cases at first with local organic disease. Most cases do well, though many are fatal in ad¬ vanced life. The nervous system is mainly implicated. In opposition to Sir Henry Halford, he thinks the effects of the disease are often entirely shaken off. As it cannot be cut short, too much should not be attempted. Medicines are apt to act peculiarly ; quinine is one of the most useful. Change of air is not desirable early in the disease. If any indiscretion in diet be committed, it is often followed by an aggravation of symptoms, after 48 rather than 24 hours. Medical treatment is of more avail in the latter half of the illness. [This paper certainly adds many important particulars to Sir Henry Halford's ac¬ count. The disposition to periodic action, and the calmness of the pulse in some cases, the reporter can confirm from his own observation,] The history of his own case, given by Sir Alexander Crichton, under the denomination of “ interrupted circulation,” and in which the Bath waters on two occasions were found useful, may perhaps be referred to this head.$ Mollifies ossium. Mr. Solly§ has recorded two cases of this somewhat rare disease, both occurring to females, one aged 29 and the other 39. The former died in a state of mental derangement, the membranes and substance of the brain having become implicated in the active disease, which had, for sometime, been going on in the bones of the cranium. The immediate cause of death in the latter case was suffocation from contracted thorax. From a comparison of the symptoms during life with the appearances after death, Mr. Solly be¬ lieves that the disease is of an inflammatory character. The earthy matter of the bones is, he thinks, absorbed and thrown out of the system by the kidneys. The excretion of earthy matter was in one instance so abundant as to have clogged up the calices and pelves of the kidneys, and formed a solid calculus. This excretion of phosphate of lime the author considers not to have been previously established, the chemical constitution of the earthy deposits observed in the urine not having been ascertained. The place of the earthy matter in the bones is supplied by the red grumous matter which abounds m them, and which he believes to be a morbid product, the result of active disease. * Lancet, vol. i, 1842-3, p. 895. + Dublin Journal of Medical Science, May 1844 ; Observations on Climacteric Disease, wi!h Cases by H. Kennedy, M.t>. &c. j Lond. Med. Gazette, Dec. 1, 1843. § Two Cases of Moilities Ossium, read before the Med.-Chir. Society, June 18, 1844.