Cases of diabetes, illustrating the effects of certain modes of treatment on some of the symptoms of the disease / by Edward Latham Ormerod.

Ormerod, Edward Latham, 1819-1873.

Date:: [1847]

Credit: Cases of diabetes, illustrating the effects of certain modes of treatment on some of the symptoms of the disease / by Edward Latham Ormerod. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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$Lastly, though at the risk of repeating what has been consi- dered under the two last summaries, the frequent observations made in practice on the specific gravity of the urine in diabetes, require that this should here be considered in the same way as the other columns. On 13 days, the specific gravity was 1039 and upwards ; on 11 days, (A), it was not more than 1033. These observations form the basis of the following averages. g, Sp. grav. 1039 or more, h, Do. not more than 1033, Fluid. Solid. Fluid. Solid. Sp. Grav. Pulse. 113.3 36 100.7 9.1 1039.2 99.2 138.1 36 123.1 9.2 1032.5 108.7 One thing this contrast shows clearly, namely, the importance of checking off the specific gravity of the urine by its quantity, the inverse variations in these two particulars nearly compensating each other. But, further, the upper line nearly negatives the conclusions arising from an examination of d and f, for we have a low amount of fluid drunk and urine passed with a high specific gravity and high proportion of solid contents, yet, withal, the pulse is 99 instead of 104. Only one conclusion seems admissible from the whole, that the cure of diabetes must be tested by amendment in at least all these particulars, for what may be considered in itself as a sign of amendment, may, when brought into comparison with the other particulars, bear quite another meaning. A new field of obser- vation seems opened by the comparison of the results of these analyses together; but, as little more would arise from such a proceeding than from the comparison of similar results of single days, we pass on to the next case. Diabetes treated by Creasofe. Experiments on Digestion, St Bartholomew's Hospital. Case II.—John Osborn, 21. March 27, 1841, under Dr Rou- pell. Thin, wiry looking, dark complexion and hair, weighing 97'5 lb.; abdomen distended ; tongue clean, red, with fissures round the edges and across the back, moist; gums red and clean ; pulse 68, soft; bowels confined; skin dry and harsh, but at night pro- fusely perspiring ; has thirst and diuresis of six months. History.—Healthy and of healthy parents, a messenger, living in London, of temperate habits, has suffered from over work, but never from want. Six months ago, thirst and diuresis gradually came on with feverish symptoms. For these and the rapid ema- ciation with which they were accompanied he was treated at the Brighton Hospital, and his urine fell under that treatment from 19 to \9,^mis per diem, at sp. grav. 1028. He used then to eat 14 ounces of bread daily, and a large amount of sugar, to which last$