The history and therapeutical value of arsenic in skin diseases / by Malcolm Morris.

  • Morris, Malcolm Alexander, 1849-1924.
Date:
[1880]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history and therapeutical value of arsenic in skin diseases / by Malcolm Morris. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Tilbury Fox in cases of the latter in which “ the scaliness is well- marked, and the disease in other respects typical.”1 Mention must also be made of Dr. Bulkley, the eminent American dermat- ologist, who in his monograph On the use and Value of Arsenic in the treatment of diseases of the shin, has given a clear and practical summary of his experience with it. Physiological Effect. From this short history, it will be seen how much the internal use of arsenic has been regulated by more or less empiricism; how that its success in one disease has caused it to be tried in all; and how its known poisonous property has often caused its thera- peutical value to be denied But more recent observers have investigated its physiological effect on the various organs of the body, and it will now be my endeavour to consider their results. The fortunate absence of ill results even when taken in large and increasing doses is clearly seen in the arsenic-eaters of Styria. In the year 1851 Tschudi first drew the attention of the profession to the existence of this habit, the objects for which it was taken, and-the result. It seems that the young peasants, both men and women, take it to improve their personal appearance, and also, according to Wurmb, to make their respirations deeper and easier. To all appearance they achieve their object and apparently meet with no inconvenience even when they are taking large doses, unless they suddenly stop using it, which causes sickness, burning pains in the stomach and other symptoms of poisoning very speedily followed by death. Tschudi was opposed, especially ii England, where Taylor, Pereira, and Christison openly st; te< their disbelief, but his assertions have since been verified by many German physicians, and by Dr. Craig Maclagan of Edinburgh. From the analogy of its effects on man it is not an uncommon custom for coachmen, especially in Vienna, to give it to their horses to make their coats more glossy and to fatten them. Before discussing the effects of arsenic on the various parts of the system it will be well to draw a distinction between the effects 1 Skin Diseases, London, 3rd Ed. 1873, p. 268.