Observations on yaws, and its influence in originating leprosy ; also observations on acute traumatic tetanus, and tetanus infantum / by James Maxwell.

Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on yaws, and its influence in originating leprosy ; also observations on acute traumatic tetanus, and tetanus infantum / by James Maxwell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    brain was of its natural firmness. The ventricles were filled with greenish serum, and the basis of the brain ex- hibited appearances similar to those upon its upper surface. The crura cerebri were enveloped in a highly vascular cover- ing. The cerebellum was inundated with serum, and, on separating the medulla oblongata from the medulla spina- lis, a similar fluid issued from the spinal canal in profusion. The spinal cavity was opened, and its contents examined, but, with the exception of the unusual vascularity of the sheath, and collection of serum, nothing else particular was observed. The abdomen was inspected, and the viscera found to be sound. I was induced to adopt the above line of treatment, from having observed the powerful effects produced by venesec- tion and tobacco enemata in hepatic ileus; the strong con- vulsive spasms in this disease, attended with excruciating- pain and profuse perspiration, were generally benefited by this treatment, and, as acute traumatic tetanus has some symptoms in common with that disease, although infinitely more severe, I gave them a fair trial. The administration of the tobacco glysters were uni- formly succeeded by extreme prostration of the powers of life, bordering upon syncope, and, during this collapsed state, the spasms were always moderated, holding out illu- sive hopes that, by their repetition, some favourable change might take place. The alarming symptoms invariably pro- duced from the use of tobacco enemata, render them a ha- zardous remedy, even in tetanus, unless the utmost precau- tion be observed, as we might, in endeavouring to avoid the spasms, fall into the opposite extreme, and induce fatal syncope. I had, subsequently to this period, an opportunity of per-