Cases illustrative of the insanity of pregnancy, puerperal mania, and insanity of lactation / by John B. Tuke, Esq.

  • Tuke, J. Batty, Sir (John Batty), 1835-1913.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases illustrative of the insanity of pregnancy, puerperal mania, and insanity of lactation / by John B. Tuke, Esq. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    incoherently raved that she had brought forth dogs instead of children, recognised old friends in the strangers now around her, cried that her food had been poisoned, pointed to imaginary objects, and at intervals screamed loudly, fehe could with difficulty be restrained in bed, requiring the constant attendance of two nurses to control her. During the first night of her residence she was utterly sleepless, the mental symptoms not in the least abating. She was ordered drachm doses of the solution of the muriate of morphia which were persevered in till she had taken one ounce, but sleep was not produced. Brandy, custard, and beef-tea were administered. Date of admission, January 26th. 29th January.—No improvement; mental excitement has con- tinued since admission; to-day 3 i. doses of Squire's tincture of Indian hemp, pushed to half an ounce, produced sleep for a short time, and some degree of composure. {Doubtful; more likely to be the result of exhaustion and the beneficial effect of nutriment and nursing.) 30iA.—Nervously excited, screams fearfully at the slightest sound. {Prohahly the result of the cannabis.) ^\st.—S<^mewhat stronger, but still in a most precarious con- dition, as the excitement continues, though not to such an extent as on admission. To take 15 drops of tincture of steel three times a-day. . . j n lQ)th February.—Since last entry this patient has gradually improved, but is still very weak. A small abscess has formed over the right nipple, also on both thumbs; on being opened they discharged healthy pus. 13^^.—To-day she menstruated,—the discharge was not great, but the pain was considerable. The skin over the sacrum shows symptoms of breaking. Tincture of arnica to be applied. Atten- dant still to be constantly with her. She now takes her food ravenously, and her general health is much stronger. Her mind is also much more composed, although she requures the cannabis at night. She spoke quite rationally to-day for the first time. Oleum morrhuge prescribed, but it produced dianOioea. 15th —To-day, rose from bed for a couple of hours. Very weak still Skin over sacrum quite healed. She now takes a pint of porter and four ounces of wine daily. Nervousness continues, and the delusions occasionally retm-n, more particularly when she wakes suddenly; they are assuming a religious character. 21s«.—Sleeps well without opiates. 23(;_Not so well, rather restless at night. Draught to be continued. , ^ , 'xi. i „ • 25th —So restless as to require the nurse to sleep with her in the same bed. Saw her husband to-day witli no bad result 3t?ilfarrA-Nurse still sleeping witli her; requires the draught at nicht To-day ordered valerianate of zinc and quinine, a a gr. u. 4fA—Attempted suicide to-day by sticking knitting-needles into