“W. A., aged 22, was admitted Oct. 26, 1837, under the care of Mr.
Liston. He is a policeman of weak conformation. He states that when
about six or seven years of age he was first attacked with an aching
pain in the right leg, near its middle, and since that period has
been subject to three or four attacks every year. These usually were
experienced in the spring, during rough, windy, and cold weather, and
continued from one to three weeks. The pain was always aggravated at
night, and so trifling in the day that he was always able to go about.
These attacks ceased to occur when he was between 15 and 16 years of
age, and since that time, until last May, he has been free from them.
He states that up to about his 16th year the bone of the leg gradually
enlarged in its middle portion, but then became stationary, and at
the period of entering the police the difference between the bones of
both legs was not great; this was about two years ago. Since then he
has been accustomed to walk for a considerable length of time daily.
During some months he was obliged to do the night work, and then he
was much exposed to cold and wet. Last May, while thus engaged, he
experienced again an aching pain in the middle of the right tibia; this
was aggravated at night; and after a fortnight’s duration, during which
it became gradually worse, he was obliged to give up his duties in
the police, being unable to continue them any longer. At this time he
consulted the surgeon of the subdivision with which he was connected;
his treatment was fomentations to the leg and aperient medicine
occasionally. Not being much relieved by this, he afterwards ordered
the application of leeches on three several occasions, and mercury to
salivation. At the end of three weeks he returned to his duty. In the
latter part of September he was again attacked with pain during night
duty; this pain increased rapidly in severity, and after three nights
he was again obliged to leave duty. He was now treated again with the
frequent and copious application of leeches at different intervals,
and likewise took some pills, which did not affect his mouth. This
treatment, with frequent fomentations, was persevered in for a month,
but without permanent benefit, and then he was brought to this
hospital. Has never had any syphilitic complaint.
“_Present state._—Has an enlargement of the tibia about its middle
third, of a diffused character, and which seems to extend a good
deal inwards and backwards; in this part he experiences a throbbing
and lancinating pain at night; during the day he is in general easy;
at night there is considerable heat and swelling in the leg; tongue
whitish; appetite good. The following pills were ordered:—℞.
Bichloride of mercury, two grains; powder of gum guiacum, two scruples;
oil of sassafras, ten minims; extract of sarsaparilla, four scruples.
To be divided into twenty-four pills, of which let two be taken three
times a day. Apply eighteen leeches to the affected part.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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