On a new way of treating gonorrhoea / by John L. Milton.

  • Milton, J. L. (John Laws), 1820-1898.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On a new way of treating gonorrhoea / by John L. Milton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    previously I had used it extensively, but invariably found it alone almost valueless, and far inferior to liq- potassfe or even simple aperients. At the very time the report was published in the Lancet, I was engaged in ascertaining its effects, when used in combination with other salts of potass, and the results of these observations form the conclusion of this paper. A close scrutiny of Mr. Hilton's cases is in no way calculated to inspire us with a high opinion of its efficacy, as mere rest and abstinence would have effected the same improvement in the same time. In the first case the discharge ceased within 10 days; in the second, on the 8th day ; and in the third, no very material improvement took place for the first 15 days, and at the end of 39 days the discharge and scalding were entirely subdued. Alteratives.—Although the reign of mercury did not quite cease with the establishment of the dogma, that gonorrhoea and syphilis are different in their progress and efi'ects, if not in their cause, yet the salivation of gonorrhoea patients, and a belief that mercury used as an antiphlogistic, can in any way be beneficial in this disease, have nearly disappeared. The use then here of mercury and iodine, is perhaps based on their undoubted value in local congestions and purulent accumulations in the cellular tissue, as well as their less certain influence over purulent discharges from the mucous membranes. In scarcely a single instance have I seen benefit from their employment in gonorrhoea, even when carried to the extent of inducing sahvation, and even in those obstinate cases where there is a fixed pain in the under part of the urethra, and where I was led to expect the best effects from the alterative powers of mercury, complete failure was always the result. Where the bowels or liver are sluggish, calomel and blue pill, in such doses as to procure a free action of these organs, will aid our treatment, but there I am disposed to say their value stops. As to the diet, during the acute stage, there is, I believe, now but one opinion, namely, that it should be as light as possible, and that beer, wine, and ardent spirits, should be entirely pro- hibited. But there are two things fully as deserving of being banished from the bill of fare, to wit, cheese and salt meats. The former, a powerful astringent, is not only calculated to do. but often does considerable mischief, by producing constipation of the bowels, and disordering the stomach, weakened, it may be, by c