Cerebro spinal meningitis / by D.G. Thomas.

  • Thomas, D. G. (Daniel Golden), 1806-1880.
Date:
[1858]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cerebro spinal meningitis / by D.G. Thomas. 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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    and spine,petechia, and tender surface, would become infallible signs of its presence. In this affection, two pathological conditions seem to require a brief notice, the one which ushers in the disease, and the other the effect of diseased action after the inflammatory stage has supervened. As we can derive but little aid from a knowledge of the various remedies that have been used in its treatment, the two conditions just noticed with its epidemic character and morbid anatomy, will serve to guide us to a just application of the best means to meet the different indications which become developed during its progress. All diseases that prevail in an epidemic form have a low type of vital power. In such cases, although we may have inflammation follow its more active, and even its severe congestive form of attack in the serous membranes of the spinal cord and brain, in the treatment we must never lose sight of these modifications. Its being epidemic, of mala- rious origin, and congestive, will not require active depletion. In the congestive stage, the application of heat, sinapi<m?, when there is sullicient activity of the capillaries to insure irri- tation of the skin, and stimulants should be persevered iu until reaction or death takes place. Opium, in such quantities as to secure its stimulating effects, should be used. In the progress of the disease wo have inflammation developed in the delicate serous membranes of the nervous centers, in wliich effusion of serum, lymph and pus will be rapidly produced, if its progress is not arrested. In some places where the reaction has been quite severe, general and local bleedings have been found use- ful; but in a decidedly malarious region, or in a large city, I should not think either ever required. Calomel has undoubt- edly more control over congestive inflammation of serious mem- branes, in preventing effusion, than any known remedy, when properly administered. The quantity and form in which it will be likely to prove most beneficial, will depend upon a number of conditions present in individual cases. By these several in- dications to be fulfilled, the mode and combinations of the reme- dy can be readily adjusted. At Avignon and Strasbourg, opium in large doses was found a valuable remedy. It is easy for us