A text-book of medical treatment : diseases and symptons / by Nestor Tirard.

  • Tirard, Nestor Isidore Charles, Sir, 1853-1928.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A text-book of medical treatment : diseases and symptons / by Nestor Tirard. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    and he concludes that the balance of evidence tends to show that iron in its various compounds is absorbed by the small intestine, or at least by the duodenum, and that it is stored up in various organs, chiefly in the liver and spleen, and thence is utilised in the formation of haemoglobin. It is perhaps to be regretted that so much attention has been devoted to the theoretical and pharmacological aspect of the absorption of iron, since it is doubtless owing to this uncertainty of absorption from the alimentary canal that some observers have recommended the hypodermic use of iron ; thus Da Costa ^ advises that ferrous manganese citrate should be given hypodermically in 3 grain doses, while Lepine^ advocates the hypodermic injection of a 4 per cent, solution of citrate of iron, and asserts that injections of 3 c.c. or 4 c.c. of this solution produced very marked improvement in a woman in whom treatment with bone-marrow had practically failed. These modes of administration appear to be entirely dictated by theoretical considerations, and in practice they are found to be wholly unnecessary. In the ordinary treatment of chlorosis it is well to commence by dealing with any dyspeptic trouble, to relieve flatulence by the administration of small doses of ammonium carbonate and rhubarb, and if there is much complaint of heartburn to use one or other of the insoluble forms of bismuth. Simul- taneously with this remedy, however, it will be necessary to employ some mild laxative, and preference is generally given to the pill of aloes and myrrh, or of aloes and iron, and it is possible that in some of these cases the aloetic pill may assist in restoring the menstrual function. So soon as the patient is able to digest an ordinary light meal without trouble, the treatment with iron may be commenced to a certain extent. The form of iron to be employed for any lengthened period must be determined by the results of experiment. Deduced iron is often given in a powder, which the patient is directed to take between two slices of bread and butter. In this form, however, iron is somewhat repulsive in appear- ance, and it sometimes gives rise to unpleasant eructations. The iron and ammonium citrate is more pleasant, it can be continued for a greater length of time, and can also always be Therap. Gaz. May 15, 1896. = Sem. Mid. May 26, 1897. 1