Remarks on delirium tremens, or the irritative fever of drunkenness : an inaugural dissertation, submitted to the examination of the faculty of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of the State of New York, John Watts, Jun. ... for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by Charles Stuart Tripler, April 3d, 1827.

  • Tripler, Chas. S. (Charles Stuart), 1806-1866.
Date:
1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on delirium tremens, or the irritative fever of drunkenness : an inaugural dissertation, submitted to the examination of the faculty of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of the State of New York, John Watts, Jun. ... for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by Charles Stuart Tripler, April 3d, 1827. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    he became so furious, that it was necessary to confine him alone in a cell. I now gave him 90 drops of the black drop at once, and in two hours after 40 drops more, with directions to have the latter quantity repeated every two hours. Friday, a. m. Found he had taken but 60 drops since I left him, and none since two this morning: had slept none during the night. I gave him 90 drops at 7 a. m. and 40 at 9. He laid down in a few moments, appeared to be comatose, pulse small, a cold clammy sweat over his body, and apparently hastening to the grave. In the course of four hours he rose up as furi- ous as ever, and refused to take any more medicine. He, however, now asked for some beer, of which I took advan- tage, and gave him one pint, containing CO drops of the black drop. He swallowed it, laid down, and slept soundly from 6 p. m. until midnight. He then began to hollow again, but soon became more calm and sensible. I had directed his keeper to give him 40 drops more of the black drop, in case he should wake before 10 p.m. He thought, upon visiting him in the morning, that if he could have required it then, it would do as well now, and administered the dose. The patient then fell asleep again, and continued so till 10 a.m. When he awoke, he was perfectly sensible, but complained very much of thirst. Some beer was given him; the first draught of which was immediately rejected, the second he retained, and declared quite refreshing. During the afternoon he was allowed whiskey and water to drink. Towards midnight he again began to cry murder! and water! and in the morning was quite exhausted, complaining of a most intolerable thirst. He had eaten nothing for the last sixty hours. Toast and tea were given him for breakfast, which he appeared to relish very well. From this time he recovered rapidly, and required no more medicine. This was the most interesting case I ever witnessed. The quantity of opium taken is surprising; but the result justifies the treatment. In the management of this case, I was much indebted to Isaac Wood, M.D. (Consulting Physician of the institution at that time) for his advice and support.