Asiatic Cholera: A treatise on its origin, pathology, treatment, and cure — John Shaqi
Asiatic Cholera: A treatise on its origin, pathology, treatment, and cureWhitney, Elijah
History
Asiatic Cholera: A treatise on its origin, pathology, treatment, and cure
Whitney, Elijah
Cholera
cramps had diminished in frequency and severity. A second dose of
chloroform, now one hour after the first, was administered, and soon
after this two more of the pills, both of which were retained, and gave
decided relief. The pulse rose in power and became slower, the spasms
less frequent, and, in an hour after the second dose, the patient was
bathed from head to foot in a warm perspiration, and expressed herself
comparatively free from all uneasy sensations. The attack had been
completely subdued, leaving behind a good deal of pyrexia and debility,
from which she rapidly recovered.
Here it is worthy of notice, that in this case, severe as it was, only
two doses of the chloroform mixture were administered, each containing
about six minims of chloroform and forty of turpentine; the pills
would naturally tend to perpetuate rather than relieve the nausea and
vomiting, and in one hour after the administration of the second dose,
all the urgent symptoms were assuaged.
In another case, the attending physician reports that, after giving
calomel, combined with opium, which was immediately rejected, the
following mixture was ordered: Rx. Chloroform vj minims; brandy dram
iij; water ounce iijss, one-third of which was given immediately,
and was thrown up in half an hour; a second dose was then given, and
was retained. The vomiting and diarrhoea ceased; the spasms became
less severe. In two hours after, gave the remaining third part; and
during the next six hours, administered in two doses six minims more
of the chloroform, with the most decided benefit, and the patient soon
became convalescent. To the extreme tenderness over the region of the
epigastrium flannel soaked in spirits of turpentine was applied; and
as no urine was secreted, I am firmly of the opinion that the usual
remedies would not have met this case. "I candidly confess," says the
physician, "I had no hope of success from its severity; and, but for
a knowledge of Mr. Brady's case, I believe I should have lost my
patient."
Dr. Davies reports a case in which he used chloroform fifteen hours
after the seizure with relief, but not with success, and observes that,
in a number of cases occurring in the hospital, there were 22 cases in
which, as severe symptoms came on, the chief remedy was chloroform,
administered internally, in doses of from seven to ten minims every
hour, half hour, or quarter of an hour, according to the severity of
the symptoms. Of these 22 cases, 8 terminated fatally, and 14 recovered.
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