Contributions to the pathology of the heart / [John Abercrombie].

  • Abercrombie, John, 1780-1844
Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Contributions to the pathology of the heart / [John Abercrombie]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    4/70 (page 2)
    CASE I A young lady, aged sixteen, came under my care on the 8th January 1812, affected with acute pain, which was referred to the pit of the stomach. It very much impeded respiration, and at times pre¬ vented the least attempt at taking a full breath. The breathing, consequently, was very short and quick, with extreme anxiety and restlessness; but there was no cough, and no vomiting. Pulse from 120 to 130. She was largely bled; and, in the course of few days following, the bleeding was re¬ peated seven or eight times. Blistering, digitalis, and the other usual remedies, were also employed in the most active manner, but with little effect up¬ on the pain, which continued, with very little abate¬ ment, for nearly a fortnight, while active treatment could be carried no farther. During the whole of this period she was in contant, acute pain, with very short breathing, extreme restlessness, a good deal of delirium, and almost no sleep; the pulse generally 130. Still there was no cough. At length, in the third week, the pain abated, and she could take a full breath with very little uneasiness. Pulse 120. She then fell into a state resembling chorea, with convulsive agitations of the limbs, con¬ stant motion of the head, and wild rolling of the eyes. Delirium continued, which soon increased to such a degree, that for several days she was with difficulty kept in bed. She then did not complain