The doctrine of purgation. Curiosities from ancient and modern literature. A collection of quotations on the use of purgatives from Hippocrates and other medical writers / [Benjamin Brandreth].

  • Brandreth, Benjamin, 1807-1880.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The doctrine of purgation. Curiosities from ancient and modern literature. A collection of quotations on the use of purgatives from Hippocrates and other medical writers / [Benjamin Brandreth]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    87/232 (page 83)
    we push it with greater vigor and with the same want of success. There are, however, fortunately, practitioners who act more philosophically, and regarding with distrust theories which do not stand the test of experi- ence, endeavour to advance the science of medicine by the slow but sure method of observation and induction. It is in this way that we some- times find a disease yielding to a plan of treatment diametrically oppo- site to that which the established opinions concerning its nature would have suggested (p. 25). 321. With the view of alleviating the sufferings of those laboring under similar complaints, and of correcting the erroneous ideas enter- tained of the nature of the disease, I am induced to publish some observations which occurred to me in consequence of having witnessed the cure of some cases of Chorea Sancti Viti in the Iioyal Infirmary of this place (Edinburgh). In these cases, a mode of treatment was adopted which no opinion of the disease hitherto published seemed to authorize ; although in every instance it was attended with the most marked advan- tages. This treatment consisted in the repeated frequent exhibition of drastic purgatives, which will appear on perusing the following cases not to have had the effect of debilitating still more an apparently debili- tated system ; but on the contrary, during their employment the patient recovered strength, the involuntary motions gradually abated, and by persisting in this treatment for a short time, a perfect cure was effected. What is particularly worthy of observation, is the appearance of the di- vine discharges, which in every instance was black and fetid (p. 26). Here follow five cases. 322. From these cases, the following facts seem to be established : 1. From the exhibition of even two or three cathartics, the involun- tary motions and other symptoms were much abated. 2. Although the cathartics were continued daily for a considerable length of time, the patient, instead of becoming more debilitated, became stronger and walked with a firmer pace. 3. During the progress of the cure, if at any time the cathartics did not produce an evacuation, the involuntary motions recurred, and all the symptoms were aggravated. 4. The faeces before the exhibition of the cathartics, were small in quant'-ty, required a large dose of the purgatives, and in every instance were black and fetid. ,And lastly, 5. When the disease was cured, the appearance of the fceces became natural (p. 30). 323. Upon the whole, the connection of the disease with the state of the intestinal discharges seems evident; and as in all the five cases fetid, dark-colai'ed evacuations preceded the cure, it would appear that, with them, the cause of the disease was removed. We may, therefore, legiti- mately conclude that the involuntary motions, debility, and other symp- toms,, were in these cases produced by local irritation in the bawds, which was afterwards communicated to the whole system, through the medium of the nerves (p. 31). St. Vitus' dance. Cure by dr a stic pur- gatives ;— they do not debilitate, hut strengthen. General advantages from purga- tion. Eisease from intes- tinal impu- rities.