An essay on the venereal diseases which have been confounded with syphilis, and the symptoms which exclusively arise from that poison : illustrated by drawings of the cutaneous eruptions of true syphilis, and the resembling diseases / by Richard Carmichael.

  • Carmichael, Richard, 1779-1849.
Date:
1814
    As a number of isolated facts can only acquire importance by leading to general conclusions, so it will be necessary in this Work, in order to render it useful, to take a short view of circumstances already known. In the first instance, therefore, a brief view is taken of some morbid poisons, which stand in nearest relation to venereal diseases; under which denomination are included all complaints propagated by sexual intercourse: and the term syphilis is restricted to that disease supposed to be brought to Europe by the followers of Columbus, about the con- clusion of the fifteenth century. The symptoms of syphilis are next adverted to ; and afterwards, the more immediate object of the Work is entered on at large. By which preliminary matter, the nature of the pseudo-syphilitic diseases, as they are termed by Mr. Abernethy, and the relation in which they stand to syphilis, and other contagious dis- orders, will be more clearly understood. Some novel, and probably important matter will be found in the chapter which treats of syphilis; and those chapters that relate to the diseases which have hitherto been confounded with syphilis, are altoge- ther the fruits of the Author's observations under the plan already ex, plained.
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    CONTENTS. CHAR I. Observations on those Morbid Poisons, which stand in nearest relation to the SyphiHtic; and evidence of the existence of Venereal Diseases, which do not arise from tliat Poison. CHAP. IL Of the Local and Constitutional symptoms of SyphiUs; mode of. treatment, and action of Mercury upon the System. CHAP. III. First Class of Primary Diseases, which have been confounded with Sy- philis, consisting of Four Species;—a Superficial Ulcer, without indura- tion, but with elevated edges;—a similar Ulcer, without induration or elevated edges;—an excoriation of the Glans ami Prepuce, attended with purulent discharge ;—Gonorrhcea Virulenta. Constitutional Symp- toms, arising from those several Affections, and which are alike in all,.
    CHAP. IV. Second Class of Primary Diseases, which have been confounded with Syphilis, consisting of two Species,—the Phagedenic Ulcer,—the Slough- ing Ulcer. Constitutional Symptoms arising'from these Ulcers. CHAP. V. Constitutional Symptoms, which have not been traced to their Pri- mary Ulcers.—Inquiry into the probability of the spontaneous Origin of some Diseases, which bear a resemblance to the Constitutional Symp- toms of Syphilis.—General Observations.
    AN ESSAY ON" THE VENEREAL DISEASES WHICH HAVE KEEN CONFOUNDED WITH SYPHILIS, %'c. CHAR I. Observations on those morbid poisons which stand in nearest rela- tion TO THE SYPHILITIC, AND EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF VE- NEREAL DISEASES WHICH DO NOT ARISE FROM THAT POISON. It is a curious fact, that morbid poisons, which excite considerable fever, such as the small-pox and measles, yield to the powers of the constitution, and are capable of a spontaneous cure; while, on the contrary, the poison of syphilis, which produces scarcely any fever, or one so low as in general to escape observation, does not yield to those powers, but indispensably re- quires for its extinction the intervention of art. In the former instance, the increased action of the system is sufficient to overcome the poison ; but, in syphilis, it seems to be altogether insufficient. Thence, it would appear, arises the necessity, in this disorder, of artificially raising an action by means of mercury; which, though capable of superseding the influence of the poison, does not, however, extinguish, like the natural fever ia small-pox, the susceptibility of receiving the disorder again. A