On the use of chloroform as an internal remedy / by A.P. Merrill.

  • Merrill, A. P. (Ayres Phillips), 1793-1873.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the use of chloroform as an internal remedy / by A.P. Merrill. 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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    out effect. The pulse was barely perceptible, the eyes open and bloodshot, pupils dilated, skin of a purple colour, jaws clinched, fiugers and toes tio-htly drawn inward, and the whole frame severely convulsed. I adminis- tered a teaspoonful of chloroform by the mouth, the ])hysician present admonishing me of the probable violence to the mucous membrane and of her inability to swallow, and a few minutes afterward as much more was given by enema. Very soon she was quite relieved of all spasmodic action and in a sound sleep. A dose of calomel at night and quinia for several successive mornings completed the cure. Case VII. A child of Mr. M., in October, 1863, had a severe paroxysm of fever. The next day, while labouring under what ai)i)eared to be a slight chill, I prescribed for it. In half an hour afterwards the child was seized by a convulsion, which had continued about half an hour when I returned to it. I gave at once half a teaspoonful of chloroform, and in about ten minutes the child was relieved of all spasms and in a sound sleep. While thus sleeping the stomach and small intestines were distended with gas, attended by considerable rumbling, all which was partially relieved in about half an hour by free eructations of chloroform vapour. With the usual quinia treatment the child was soon well. It was about eighteen months old. Case YIII. In 1854, Mr. S., was seized with a severe chill, which, when I arrived, had continued about one hour. I found him covered wilh blankets and surrounded by hot bricks, drinking hot brandy toddy. He complained of pain in the head, was very restless, and groaned with internal distress. His eyes were red, his pulse depressed, and he had had two watery stools. I gave him a large teaspoonful of tjhloroform, removing at the same time all hot applications, and suspending the brandy. The chill soon subsided, and only slight febrile reaction followed. Case IX. Mr. M., of New York, was taken with a chill soon after rising in the morning. I found him by a large fire, shivering, restless, and complaining of pain in the head, back, and limbs. I gave him a teaspoon- ful of chloroform, and got him undressed and in bed. He was then only partially relieved, and the dose of chloroform was repeated. This relieved the chilly sensations, but he still had headache. Soon afterward he slept for an hour and awoke much better. Only slight febrile action followed. Quinia and arsenic were given and a recurrence of the chill prevented. Case X. A gentleman upwards of sixty years of age, long resident in a malarial region, had suffered frequent attacks of intermittent fever, and had used quinia until it seemed to have lost its effect upon him. Latterly his chills were obscure, and attended by partial blindness. I advised chloro- form in doses of half a teaspoonful in the inception of his attacks. This always gave relief, and finally overcame the tendency to disease without any other remedy. Case XI. A young married woman about six weeks pregnant suffered with distressing attacks of asthma. Full doses of chloroform invariably gave relief. Case XIT. One of the most remarkable of all the cases noted is that of Laura iJatemau. This little girl, 5-^ years old, had been salivated to