Medical Inquiries and Observations, Vol. 2: The Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the AuthorRush, Benjamin
Science
Medical Inquiries and Observations, Vol. 2: The Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the Author
Rush, Benjamin
Medicine; Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
"When the symptoms above-mentioned have continued for a few days,
subject as they always are in this disease to great fluctuation, the
axis of one eye is generally found to be turned in towards the nose;
the pupil on this side is rather more dilated than the other; and when
both eyes have the axes directed inwards (which sometimes happens),
both pupils are larger than they are observed to be in the eyes of
healthy persons: the vomiting becomes more constant, and the head-ach
more excruciating; every symptom of fever then makes its appearance,
the pulse is frequent, and the breathing quick; exacerbations of the
fever take place towards the evening, and the face is occasionally
flushed; usually one cheek is much more affected than the other;
temporary perspirations likewise break forth, which are not followed by
any alleviation of distress; a discharge of blood from the nose, which
sometimes appears about this period, is equally inefficacious.
"Delirium, and that of the most violent kind, particularly if the
patient has arrived at the age of puberty, now takes place, and with
all the preceding symptoms of fever, continues for a while to increase,
until about fourteen days, often a much shorter space of time, shall
have elapsed since the appearance of the symptoms, which were first
mentioned in the above detail.
"The disease then undergoes that remarkable change, which sometimes
suddenly points out the commencement of what has been called its second
stage: the pulse becomes slow but unequal, both as to its strength,
and the intervals between the pulsations; the pain of the head, or of
whatever part had previously been affected, seems to abate, or at least
the patient becomes apparently less sensible of it; the interrupted
slumbers, or perpetual restlessness which prevailed during the earlier
periods of the disorder, are now succeeded by an almost lethargetic
torpor, the strabismus, and dilatation of the pupil increase, the
patient lies with one, or both eyes half closed, which, when minutely
examined, are often found to be completely insensible to light; the
vomiting ceases; whatever food or medicine is offered is usually
swallowed with apparent voracity; the bowels at this period generally
remain obstinately costive.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account