A lecture on the physiological and therapeutical uses of water : delivered to the students of the Ohio Medical College at the opening of the session of 1839-40 / by M.B. Wright.

  • Wright, M. B. (Marmaduke Burr), 1803-1879.
Date:
[1840]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture on the physiological and therapeutical uses of water : delivered to the students of the Ohio Medical College at the opening of the session of 1839-40 / by M.B. Wright. 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.)

    20/24
    Is the latter given as a cathartic? Every practitioner will tell you, that high excitement is unfavorable to the ready and beneficial operation of this class of remedies. Calomel admits of no exception to this rule. Cold water then, by allaying excessive action, is useful in facilitating the operation of Calo- mel as a cathartic. Is it given to produce its specific impression by absorption? Your wishes will not be gratified while the absorbing surfaces are unduly excited, and the heart is giving a strong impetus to the circulation. These states must be modified to derive full advantage from the Calomel, and ice and cold water are among the most active agants for this purpose. That Calomel will act more effectually while the organs of the body are in calm and even feeble exercise, than when morbidly and painfully excited, will not admit of doubt. And we need not advance arguments in favor of that which no one pretends to deny. I say, therefore, that Calomel and cold water are entirely compatible—that the influence of the one prepares the way for the salutary action of the other. Does the dread in the use of cold water and Calomel arise from their liability to produce salivation? Aye—It is from this fear that a deep and extended mischief has arisen. It is this which has laid the foundation for an exclusive and abusive ad- ministration of Calomel. And gentlemen, unless you and those who are now receiving their medical education, shall think cor- rectly, and act decisively upon this subject, before your profes- sional career shall have an end, you will hear this remedy de- cried by the thunder-toned voice of public sentiment, and be- hold it erased from the catalogue of remedies. Perhaps the first case you will be called upon to treat after engaging in practice, will be one of fever. You may be in- duced to give a dose of Calomel. The stomach not being pre- pared for its action, the wished for effect is not realised, and you prescribe it again and again. If, at this time, the thirst of your patient should not be relieved, he will drink water in despite of your caution, and salivation will be very liable to ensue. Then will come the comprint on the part of the patient, and censure on the part of the physician. Now, gentlemen, under such cir- cumstances, upon whom should properly rest the blame? upon the patient or the attendant? It is probable that in such a case, cold water would contribute to the ptyalism; and it is probable too, that without the water, no other effect would be produced than an increase of the morbid state already existing. And to my mind, another thing is very certain. If the water were allowed at a more early period, the stomach would be prepared