Observations and experiments on the efficacy and modus operandi of cupping-glasses, in preventing and arresting the effects of poisoned wounds / by Caspar Wistar Pennock.

  • Pennock, C. W. (Caspar Wistar), 1799-1867.
Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations and experiments on the efficacy and modus operandi of cupping-glasses, in preventing and arresting the effects of poisoned wounds / by Caspar Wistar Pennock. 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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    jects of this experiment. Into the thigh of the first, one grain of strychnine was deposited beneath the cutaneous tissue. He was abandoned to his fate. Tetanic symptoms came on in nine minutes—in eleven, death. Into the left thigh of the other rabbit, one grain of strychnine was introduced through the barrel of a quill to the distance of an inch and a quarter, between the skin and muscles. Almost the whole of it was deposited at the end of the quill, but a small portion accidently adhered near the orifice of the wound. The small incision was closed by suture and adhesive plaster. The cupping-glass was applied on the sound skin over the poison, leaving the orifice of the wound outside of the circumference of the glass. The animal remained perfectly quiet, and did not manifest any symptom of poisoning during one hour. The cupping-glass dropped off' at this time, but was imme- diately re-applied. After a further lapse of ten minutes, no symptoms having occurred, it was removed, and the rabbit placed at liberty. Vio- lent spasms came on in two minutes. The cup being immediately applied, the convulsions ceased in five minutes. The animal appearing entirely relieved from pain, the glass was again removed, at one hour and thirty-five minutes from the com- mencement of the experiment. The poison was apparently all cut out, and the wound washed, and closed by the interrupted suture and adhesive plaster. Eighteen minutes afterward the rabbit became again violently convulsed, and true opisthotonos was exhibited. This was succeeded by symptoms of an opposite character. All the mus- cles of the body became extremely flaccid, respiration was suspended, and the only sign of life remaining was a tremulous motion almost imperceptible at the nostril. So completely prostrated were the vital powers, that several gen- tleman who were present pronounced the animal dead. The cup- ping-glass was now applied, the atmospheric pressure removed as much as possible by the constant employment of the exhausting pump; relief was afforded in eleven minutes. The effects of this ap- plication were very peculiar: at each motion of the piston, the animal appeared invigorated, and at the expiration of the time stated, he rose on his feet and attempted to walk. At this time I left the animal in care of an assistant, directing him occasionally to apply the exhaust- ing pump, in order to maintain the absence of the atmospheric pres- sure. Upon my return, one hour and twelve minutes after the se- cond re-application, the animal being placed at liberty, rose, and walked across the room. The glass was removed at four hours and thirty-two minutes from