Substance of a clinical lecture on a case of hydrophobia : delivered at the Charing Cross Hospital, Monday, November 24, 1834 : to which are appended the particulars of another case admitted into the hospital, October 21, 1834 / by T.J. Pettigrew.

  • Pettigrew, Thomas Joseph, 1791-1865.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Substance of a clinical lecture on a case of hydrophobia : delivered at the Charing Cross Hospital, Monday, November 24, 1834 : to which are appended the particulars of another case admitted into the hospital, October 21, 1834 / by T.J. Pettigrew. 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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    / the pills. The pills he swallowed with some difficulty, after many attempts ; hut the draught he said lie could not swallow. The nature of the disease not being then suspected, his disinclination was supposed to refer to the medicine being fluid. lie was therefore left for the night and recommended to take the draught. It appears that after several unsuccessful efforts during four hours, the draught was at length taken, literally by sips. lie had passed a bad night, was unable to remain in bed, and got up at three o’clock. Thursday morning, 10 A. M. Com- plained of his throat—a sense of constriction about it, and considerable dyspnoea—pulse 92 full and strong; ten ounces of blood were withdrawn from the arm, and ten leeches applied to the throat. The bowels had been moved freely three times by the medicine exhibited the previous night, and the evacuations had passed from him with great force, he had no power of restraining them. At eleven o’clock great thirst and dryness of the mouth and fauces. Tem- perature of the skin low. He was ordered 20 gr. of Ipe- cacuanha which was mixed with a little water. He said lie could not swallow it if he were to attempt it, lie knew, “ that his breath would meet it.” He was prevailed upon to put it to his lips ; he eagerly seized it and suddenly emptied the contents into his throat. Mr. Griffith now suspected the case to be Hydrophobia, and asked him if he had lately received any wound either from the scratch of a cat or the bite of a dog, and lie replied in the negative ; hut on being requested to endeavour to recollect himself, lie admitted that he had received a scratch in the hand from a kitten, and shewed the palm which exhibited two punctures. Mr. Griffith then went behind the patient unobserved and breathed very gently upon the back of the neck. The patient turned round in an agitated convulsed state, and exclaimed “ for God’s sake shut the door, that wind will kill me.” The nature of the complaint was now mentioned to the patient’s friends, and a consultation was proposed and agreed upon. At half-past two o’clock I saw him. At the time of my visit I found him crouched over the fire, his back and shoulders towards the windows and door; he did not turn round to observe my en- entrance nor did he alter his position upon being addressed by me. The leeches were hanging from his throat and blood was trickling down his neck, from which however he did not appear to experience any particular inconve-