An inquiry into the nature, causes, and cure of hydrothorax ; illustrated by interesting cases, and many living examples of the success of the mode of treatment recommended.

  • MacLean, L. (Lachlan), 1798-1848.
Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the nature, causes, and cure of hydrothorax ; illustrated by interesting cases, and many living examples of the success of the mode of treatment recommended. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    i-jonie instances, even for years, under particular symptoms, generally such as indicated defective energy, or inoi!>id alteration of structure, of some of the organs contained within the cavity of the chest, especially of the heart and lungs. Of these, the peculiar sense of anxiety men- tioned ahove is perhaps the most common: it is variously described by the patient: when questioned respecting his complaints, he often places his hand on the lower part of the sternum and epigastrium, or region of the heart, as the seat of all his misery, as he terms it: it is sometimes called a sense of sinking, fainting, or fluttering, as if his life were go- ing from him: at other times, liowever, a sense of oppres- sion, as if an immense weight were placed on this part, is complained of; and not uncommonly by the same person. This symptom is probably not constant at first, but returns at certain intervals and from certain causes, such as those men- tioned in the definitions, or sudden emotions or passions. If the pulse be examined, it will often be found irregular, inter- mitting, or oppressed, varying in strength and frequency from the slightest causes, accompanied with occasional palpitation, or corresponding interruption of the action of the heart; but these generally subside on rest, or the abstraction of the caus- es which produced them. In some instances, however, an in- equality of the pulse is one of its first forerunners; and if this has speedily followed acute or violent inflammation of any of the principal thoracic viscera, especially of the left side, or a severe blow on the region of the heart, the presence of serous effusion in the pericardium, or sacs of the pleura, is in general to be apprehended. The breathing is readily hurried or quickened on any sud- den emotion of mind, or bodily exertion ; and there is some- times an irresistible inclination to draw a full, but quick or hurried, inspiration, from a sense of oppression or stricture about the praxordia. There is an unusual sensibility to cold,