The causes, nature, and treatment of scurvy : a paper read before the Covington and Newport (Ky.) Medical Society / by Charles S. Tripler.

  • Tripler, Chas. S. (Charles Stuart), 1806-1866.
Date:
[1858?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The causes, nature, and treatment of scurvy : a paper read before the Covington and Newport (Ky.) Medical Society / by Charles S. Tripler. 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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    the first occured in a woman in Illinois, in 1835 ; the memo- rable year of scanty vegetables, and lamentable state of public hygiene. This woman, exposed to the very influence, thar induced the scorbutic condition, during lactation had sore mouth —this sore mouth was habitual with her when in this condition. But there is scarcely a symptom of scurvy mentioned in the history of her case, and if vegetables had not been scarce that season, I doubt whether even Dr. Knapp would have found any scurvy in the case. The second case occurring under similar circumstances as to hygiene, does present some of the signs of scurvy, such as gums parted from the teeth, sott, spongy and bleeding, teeth loose and reclining ; no purple or ecchymoscd spot5;, however, are mentioned; and these, so far as I know, are invari ible attendants of scurvy. That individuals subjected to the causes of scurvy, should have some of the symptoms of scurvy, and that a nursing woman if scorbutic, should have a sore mouth, I can readily comprehend. But to infer from this, that stomatitis materna and scurvy are identical, or that the former is an indication of the latter, seem to me too absurd to merit serious refutation. Such hasty and fanciful generalization, can only be productive of mischief, and lead the inexperienced into error. It should be scouted by all considerate men.