Cases of poisoning by fungi, with remarks / [Alexander Peddie].

  • Peddie, Alexander, 1810-1907
Date:
[1838]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases of poisoning by fungi, with remarks / [Alexander Peddie]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In some instances, indeed, this seemed to have the power of warding off an impending paroxysm. I was first led to try it in gouty cases, from being told by an extensive manufacturer of the article near Birmingham, that affections of the joints were unknown among his workmen, while they were common enough among the operatives of other factories in the neighbourhood. Coal naphtha is a pure hydro-carbon, almost identical in nature and properties with the naphtha which occurs native on the shores of the Caspian sea, in Persia, and other countries of Asia. The latter, alluded to by Herodotus, has been used from a remote period by some of the nations of the east, against the very ailment in question. Thus, Dioscorides (Lib. i. c. 85) says, “Podagris articulorum doloribus lethargisque prodest •/’ and Bontius (Hist. Nat. p. 17), in describing what he calls “ a noble species of naphtha ” brought from Sumatra, and highly prized for its medicinal virtues by the Javanese, concludes as follows : “ Partibus aflfectis illitum miraculi instar segros consolatur.” Naphtha topically applied imparts a feeling of warmth, sometimes accom¬ panied with slight tingling. It acts obviously upon the principle of a mild but penetrating counter-stimulant, determining contraction of the capillaries, increase in the rapidity of their circulation, and progressive absorption of liquid effusion. As a remedial agent, seemingly endowed with qualities capable of counter¬ acting and removing tophaceous deposition, Silicate of Potash, the liquor of flints of the older chemists, deserves a trial. This salt passes through the system unchanged, and can be detected in the urine of animals to which it has been given by the mouth. It exercises a very powerful solvent action upon the urate of soda. I have prescribed it for one or two patients in doses of ten and fifteen grains twice a day, dissolved in six or eight ounces of water, with apparent benefit.