A universal formulary : containing the methods of preparing and administering officinal and other medicines the whole adapted to physicians and pharmaceutists / by R. Eglesfeld Griffith.

  • Griffith, R. Eglesfeld (Robert Eglesfeld), 1798-1850.
Date:
[1854]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A universal formulary : containing the methods of preparing and administering officinal and other medicines the whole adapted to physicians and pharmaceutists / by R. Eglesfeld Griffith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    553/696 (page 547)
    BLOOD-LETTING. acrent its powers are too feeble to be followed by much benefit. It is, however, afways refreshing, and is much better adapted for overpowering the unpleasant odors of the sick room than any of the former substances. r m The most efficacious fumigations that can be employed, are those of cblonne. This disinfecting gas is extricated from a mixture of common salt, black oxide of manganese, and sulphuric acid (see p. 182). Instead of chlorine disengaged m this mode, it is more common to use the chloride of lime, the chloride of soda, or the chloride of sine; solutions of either of these, placed in shallow vessels in a room, will give off chlorine in a gradual manner, by a decomposition of their con- stituents. Some difference of opinion exists as to the mode m which thts gas acts. Dr. A. T. Thomson is of opinion that it operates by decomposing the inrected ‘‘ With regard to the mode in which chlorine operates, the most probable opinion is, that it decomposes the infectious matter, which is a compound. One principle of this compound seems to be hydrogen; another, ammonia; and a. third, a tetid volatile oil; besides the unknown matter of infection. The chlorine unites with the hydrogen, and forms hydrochloric acid, which combines with the second com- ponent of the infectious medium—namely, ammonia and forms sal ammoniac; the withdrawing of both of which from the air causes the precipitation of the volatile oil; whilst the chlorine also neutralizes the real matter of infection, whatever it may be; and thus the vitiated atmosphere is purified.” Although chlorine is capable of destroying fetid and unpleasant odors in the sick room, it is liable to many objections. However extricated, it is apt to create irri- tation of the respiratory organs, and coughing, when respired; it corrodes all metallic substances, ^nd must, therefore, be used with caution; from the chlorides evolving the gas more slowly, they are, in most cases, preferable to the immediate extrication of chlorine from salt and manganese. Other acid fumigations have also been found useful as disinfectants; as those of nitrous acid, so highly recommended by Smith and Carmichael, and considered by Christison even as superior to chlorine. Sulphurous acid fumes, produced by burn- ing sulphur, have likewise been recommended. Both are capable of destroying un- pleasant odors and emanations; but the same objections apply against their use in a sick chamber — that of causing much irritation of the organs of respiration; hence they are unfitted to cases where there is any disease or weakness of these parts. Fumigations, used as medicinal agents, are much more prescribed on the Continent of Eurppe than in Great Britain or the United States. They are sometimes em- ployed as inhalations—as emollient vapors in the treatment of bronchial affections; and balsamic vapors in affections of the chest. They are also used externally, as the fumes of benzoin in rheumatic and gouty complaints; those of aloes in deficient menstruation; those of sulphur and mercury in various diseases of the skin. The effects of fumigations vary according to the temperature at which the vapors are used; when it is high, and the whole body of the patient is exposed to it, it produces much the same train of symptoms as those caused by a vapor-bath. When the fumigation is made with substances which give off no watery vapors, the pheno- mena that result are analogous to those of a heated air-bath, but more marked, especially those which occur in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. BLOOD-LETTING. Various methods are practiced for this purpose. General bleeding is performed by opening a vein, called venesection; or by puncturing an artery, which has received the name of arteriotorny. Topical blood-letting is practiced by opening the small vessels of a part by means of slight incisions, or what is called scarification, by the application of leeches, and by cupping.