A case of catalepsis verminosa, cured by oleum terebinthinae rectificatus / by F. Weaver.

  • Weaver, F.
Date:
[1820]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case of catalepsis verminosa, cured by oleum terebinthinae rectificatus / by F. Weaver. 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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    Weaver on a Case of Catalepsis Verminosa. IV. A Case of Catalepsis Verminosa, cured by Oleum Terebinthince rectificatus. By F. Weaver, of Walsall, Surgeon. On the first of June last 1 visited Mrs. C. She was of a delicate habit,and had frequently been subject to hysterical affec- tions, from which being generally slight, she usually recovered without much medical assistance. A similar resultwas anticipated in the present instance; but the attack continued, without remis- sion, longer than usual, aud assumed adifferent character. Much alarm was therefore excited in the anxious minds of her relatives. On my arrival I found her on the couch, apparently in a state- of insensibilitv. “ Corporis totius recepta forma, constans, fiexilis, cum lnscnsibilitate,” Catalepsis Limuzi. The tempe- rature of the body was considerably below the natural standard; but the diminution of animal heat could not be accurately as- certained, having no thermometer at hand. There was an. entire suspension of all voluntary actions ; the eyes were closed, the pupils much dilated, and insensible to light; trismus maxilaris, and the jaw was so firmly clenched as to preclude even the possibility of separation; respiration scarcely percepti- ble ; a strong full pulse, indicative of increased excitement of the vascular system ; but “ sine rvbore faciei”—“ sine stertore t el sonora respiratione.” Recourse was had to various external stimuli; and phlebotomy was suggested as essentially requisite ; but this was opposed. I was, however, about applying the band- age or fillet for veniesection, when the pulvis nicotian® excited sneezing, and caused a separation of the maxilla inferior, which enabled me to give three grains of tartarized antimony. She articulated, and expressed disapprobation at my preparing to open a vein, and immediately relapsed. A blister was applied, and mustard cataplasms; but without wailing the effects of these doubtful auxiliaries, I immediately abstracted thirty ounces of blood, conceiving there was a determination to the head, with compression, from some cause hitherto not ascertained. Before a third of the quantity was obtained, she revived, opened her eyes, moved the extre- vol. viu.—no. 4j. e li