Hepatitis and hepatic abscess : their ætiology, diagnosis and treatment / by G. Harrison Younge.

  • Younge, G. Harrison.
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hepatitis and hepatic abscess : their ætiology, diagnosis and treatment / by G. Harrison Younge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    yaried inversely with the temperature. He found that at 80'® Fahr. there was 9 per cent, less oxygen in the air than at 32® Fahr. In 1872 Surgeon Rattray, R.N., proved by careful observations that the number of respirations per minute were decreased 18 per cent, in the Tropics. Allowing for the diminished amount of oxygen and the lowered rate of respiration, Dr. De Chaumont calculated that the exhalation of carbonic acid by the lungs was diminished 25 per cent. We know that, next to the lungs, the liver is the chief organ con- cerned in the excretion of hydro-carbons, and we are therefore justified in concluding that this diminished action of the lungs throws more work on the liver. The writer’s observations, however, have convinced him that by far the most important cause of the in- creased action of the liver is the blood deterioration, which occurs as the result of prolonged exposure to great atmospheric heat. Dr. Lauder Brunton has proved, experimentally, that exposure to great heat accelerates tissue metabolism, and greatly increases the excretion of urea. More recently Mentzikoff has shown that even a short exposure to great heat causes a marked diminu- tion in the vitality of the red blood corpuscles. The truth of Mentzikofi’s observations must be obvious to every physician who has observed the effects on Europeans of residence in a tropical climate. “ Blood- degeneration is initiated in the system of Europeans from the very commencement of tropical residence.” (Moore.) It is this blood-degeneration, with the attendant results to be immediately described, which gives rise to the sallow complexion, and profoundly anmmic appearance, seen in all Anglo-Indians towards the end of the hot weather. For at least six months of the year Anglo-Indians are exposed to a temperature, which varies from 90° to 120° Fahr., in the shade. During the day they are