A letter addressed to Sir Benjamin C. Brodie, bart. : containing observations and strictures upon certain parts of his lecture on spinal complaints, delivered to the young gentlemen of St. George's Hospital / by Edward Harrison.

  • Harrison, Edward, 1759-1838.
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter addressed to Sir Benjamin C. Brodie, bart. : containing observations and strictures upon certain parts of his lecture on spinal complaints, delivered to the young gentlemen of St. George's Hospital / by Edward Harrison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    known to follow a similar mode of practice, and to advocate the same doctrines. Proceedings of this description have a tendency to inspire confidence in the medical attendant, although, for obvious reasons, they seldom benefit the subjects of them. Candour, and a proper anxiety for the welfare of patients, ought to encourage a different preference. It should induce the confidential advisers to recommend practitioners, entertaining other notions in the hope, that the conflict of opinions would elicit new views of the case, and a more successful method of treatment. One of the consulting surgeons—speaking, I believe, in accordance with the rest—told the aunt plainly, that it was impossible to cure her nephew; and, that she must be prepared to see him crippled, and wheeled about in a merlin chair for the remainder of his life. Under all former modes of cure, the deplorable consequences predicted, would doubtless have been such as this eminent and experienced hospital surgeon foretold. In publishing the following letter, written by another of the atten- dants, I wish merely to expose the erroneous notions entertained of the case by practitioners, who rank deservedly high with the profes- sion and tlxe public. In withholding their names, I am actuated only by feelings of delicacy towards the individuals themselves. To Sir B. Brodie I shall not hesitate, on a proper applieation, to mention the persons alluded to, or to give any other information that may be desired. * Sir, I have just had a letter from our patient, the Rev. Mr. , in which he describes to me his present condition. It is a very distress- ing case, and one over which I fear our art can exercise little or no influence. Every thing seems to confirm the opinion I was at first led to entertain, that there is organic disease in the cervical portion of the spinal chord, or in the lower portion of the brain, or in both these situations. The moxa has evidently done him no good, and I should wish the ulcerated sore to he dried up immediately, and nothing more to be done for the present; but, in the mean time, that such medicines should he exhibited as you may judge most beneficial in preserving his general health. I am, Sir, &c. Such were the opinions of the persons attending this gentleman. On examining the back of my patient, at the first visit, I discovered two considerable derangements in the spinal column, which had, I understood, been entirely overlooked—one between his shoulders, the other in the loins. By subduing them, the paralysis of the arms and legs was removed. Appetite, at first, trifling and inconstant, has become strong and regular. He is restored to the enjoyment of excellent health, the free use of his limbs, and will, with care, soon recover the full possession of his bodily vigour. The digestive func- tions were, at first, impaired, because the nerves which supply the stomach and collateral organs had been rendered unable, by the vertebral displacements, satisfactorily to execute their appointed ofiices.