A treatise on epidemic cholera, as observed in the Duane Street Cholera Hospital, New York, during its prevalence there in 1834 / By Floyd T. Ferris.

  • Ferris, Floyd T., 1793-1855.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on epidemic cholera, as observed in the Duane Street Cholera Hospital, New York, during its prevalence there in 1834 / By Floyd T. Ferris. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    71/92 (page 57)
    blister has drawn well. Applied one dozen leeches to the temples. 11th, 8 A. M.—Still continues drowsy and sluggish; pulse labouring; urine secreted in small quantities; has had nothing pass his bowels ; complains of great thirst. Twenty leeches to the epigastrium, which bled freely ; head shaved, and bladders of ice-water applied. 12th, 8 A. M.—Somewhat improved since yesterday; pulse less laborious ; thirst somewhat abated; drowsiness and stupor still continue; has had a free evacuation from his bowels, which appeared more natural. Six leeches to the anus, which bled but little. 13th, 8 A. M.—Much the same as day before; stupor and drowsiness still continue. Bled five ounces from the arm. 14th, 8 A. M.—Much improved ; urine more freely secreted; little or no drowsiness ; tongue natural; skin pleasant. Allowed a small quantity of arrow-root and rice ; and from this day he continued to improve, and was discharged cured on the 22d instant. Case No. 270.—Collapse; Hemorrhage from the Bowels— Cure. W. Purdy, setat 23 years, a native of New-York, sanguine temperament, habits intemperate, admitted September 9th, at 12 o’clock; had been vomiting and purging at intervals since the night of the 7th, previous to which time he had been labouring under diarrhoea for 24 hours. Symptoms on admission.—Vomiting and purging of serous fluid; cramps of the extremities, particularly the lower; countenance haggard; eyes sunken, and surrounded with a dark livid circle; lips blue ; tongue broad and cold; voice husky; hands and feet cold and corrugated; breathing difficult; urine suppressed ; no perceptible pulse at the wrists; great thirst. Treatment.—Stimulating pediluvium of capsicum and mustard, 110° Fahrenheit; sinapisms to the abdomen; frictions of capsi- cum and camphor ointment to the extremities and spine, to be repeated ; ice ad libitum ; ice-water enemas. 10 P. M.—Vomiting allayed, and purges but little ; slight re- action ; pulse distinct at the wrist, but feeble; tongue red at the edges, and inclined to dryness ; skin warm, and complains of pain on pressure over the abdomen. Enema of half-pint of ice-water and 25 drops of laudanum, to be repeated. 10thy 8 A. M.—Has slept at intervals during the night; has had two enemas, and retained the last for several hours ; tongue red and dry; still complains of pain on pressure over the abdo- men ; pulse slow and feeble ; skin warm, and complains of great thirst. Blister to the abdomen, and allowed rice-water. 1 F. M.—lias used the chamber several different times this 14