An essay on the pathology and therapeutics of scarlet fever / by Caspar Morris.

  • Morris, Caspar, 1805-1884.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the pathology and therapeutics of scarlet fever / by Caspar Morris. 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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    No attempt should be made to separate the sloughs or de- tach the deposits from the mucous membrane of the throat, either by mechanical means or by harshly stimulating washes. Fatal hemorrhage is sometimes brought about by this rude in- terference, or the tendency to gangrene aggravated by it. Many practitioners are in the habit of resorting to the use of common yeast in large doses, in those cases where the throat is gangrenous. This practice was adopted from the surgical use of the same article in external gangrene, and the result is said to be highly satisfactory. Carbonate of ammonia has been highly commended by some authors in this form of disease. One insuperable obstacle to its use, is found in the difficulty of deglutition. Even in those forms of low fever which are free from angina, the pungent character of the remedy makes it difficult of administration, and where there is much swelling or ulceration, it would be impossible that it could be swallowed, especially by a child. The capsicum produces all the benefit which could be hoped from the ammonia, and with less effort in swallowing. 01. terebinth, is an excellent stimulant, especially where there is tympanitis. If it purge, it should be guarded by the addition of properly graduated doses of laudanum. When combined with mucilage of gum Arabic and syrup flavoured with aniseed, it can be given to very young children without difficulty. Dr. Copland recommends highly the external application of the ol. terebinth, combined with spirits camphor and olive oil, especially to the loins and abdomen. Musk, too, and camphor, have their advocates in those cases where the nervous symptoms predominate. I do not believe they possess any special virtues which entitle them to favour, and prefer depending on a few tried and proved friends to the resort to many other articles of questionable powers. The rational indications are met by those I have recommended, and on them we may safely rely.