Remarks on the history and treatment of delirium tremens / [John Ware].

  • Ware, John, 1795-1864
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the history and treatment of delirium tremens / [John Ware]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    these, it will be obvious, do not at all account for the phenomena, but may be rather regarded as conse¬ quences than as causes. Where Delirium Tremens has been complicated with other diseases, the morbid appearances which those diseases usually present, will of course be ex¬ hibited. Since they do not, however, differ from those which the same diseases present in ordinary cases, it is not necessary particularly to advert to them. It is desirable, however, to remark, in con¬ firmation of some statements which have been before made, that in cases beginning with severe acute dis¬ ease, and ending in a delirium which has entirely absorbed and obscured the symptoms of the original affection, there have been found, after death, morbid changes which prove incontestably, that the original affection has continued, with unabated vigor, up to the very last moment of life. This has been particu¬ larly noticed in inflammations of the lungs, and of the stomach. The treatment of patients with Delirium Tremens, is by no means confined to that period which has been designated as the paroxysm. Since, from the symptoms of many cases of disease in intemperate persons, we are led to anticipate attacks of this sort, it is as important to prevent the paroxysm, or prepare for it, when we perceive its approach, as it is to con¬ duct the patient safely through it, when it is actually present. In speaking of the treatment, therefore, we are constantly to keep in view these two distinct in¬ quiries ;