Verdict of coroners' juries : the case of the late Mr. Cordwell / by P. F. Curie.

  • Curie, Paul Francis, 1799-1853.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Verdict of coroners' juries : the case of the late Mr. Cordwell / by P. F. Curie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    In tlie 5th Case, we find Ten days. 14th „ About twenty days. This writer, treating of convalescence (p. 427), says, “ The emaciation, which was considerable in some cases, disappeared more slowly in proportion to the degree in which the restoration of the digestive functions was retarded after the commencement of convalescence.” And in a note he adds, “ I place the epoch of convalescence at the time when the patients began to eat a little bread.” Again,—Dr. Andrew Combe, than whom perhaps no higher authority could be quoted, thus clearly enforces the position, that the want of appetite should always suggest to the practitioner the strict necessity of with- holding food :— “ In those states of the system, such as fever, during the conti- nuance of which most of the secretions are vitiated, and the stomach itself is weakened, and where food would conseqiiently be hurtful rather than advantageous, appetite is scarcely felt, and loathing often occupies its place. But the moment that, by the diminution of the disease, the secretions and exhalations begin to return to their healthy state, and nutrition is resumed, appetite begins to be again felt, and by and by becomes abundantly vigorous, in order to restore the system to its former state. The utmost caution, however, is still required in its gratification, as a premature indulgence is almost certain again to stop the secre- tions and to produce a relapse. Ignorance of this principle among the community at large, and the consequent error of giving food when there is no demand for it, often do more to defeat the best laid plan of cure than the severity of the disease itself. The sick man’s friends, in their anxiety to support his strength, too frequently turn a deaf ear to every caution which is suggested, and stealthily administer sustenance when the system does not require it, and when it serves only to aggravate the danger and increase the weakness of the patient'' * “ I recommended Mr. Cordwell to take some food myself, but ho