Medical Inquiries and Observations, Vol. 3: The Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the Author — John Shaqi
Medical Inquiries and Observations, Vol. 3: The Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the AuthorRush, Benjamin
Science
Medical Inquiries and Observations, Vol. 3: The Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the Author
Rush, Benjamin
Medicine; Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
V. In the _nervous system_ the symptoms of the fever were different,
according as it affected the brain, the muscles, the nerves, or the mind.
The sudden and violent action of the miasmata induced apoplexy in several
people. In some, it brought on syncope, and in others, convulsions in
every part of the body. The apoplectic cases generally proved fatal, for
they fell chiefly upon hard drinkers. Persons affected by syncope, or
convulsions, sometimes fell down in the streets. Two cases of this kind
happened near my house. One of them came under my notice. He was supposed
by the by-standers to be drunk, but his countenance and convulsive
motions soon convinced me that this was not the case.
A coma was observed in some people, or an obstinate wakefulness in every
stage of the disease. The latter symptom most frequently attended the
convalescence. Many were affected with immobility, or numbness in their
limbs.
These symptoms were constant, or temporary, according to the nature of
the remedies which were made use of to remove them. They extended to all
the limbs, in some cases, and only to a part of them in others. In some,
a violent cramp, both in the arms and legs, attended the first attack of
the fever. I met with one case in which there was a difficulty of
swallowing, from a spasmodic affection of the throat, such as occurs in
the locked jaw.
A hiccup attended the last stage of this disease, but I think less
frequently than the last stage of the common bilious fever. I saw but
five cases of recovery where this symptom took place.
There was, in some instances, a deficiency of sensibility, but, in
others, a degree of it extending to every part of the body, which
rendered the application of common rum to the skin, and even the least
motion of the limbs painful.
I was surprised to observe the last stage of this fever to exhibit so few
of the symptoms of the common typhus or chronic fever. Tremors of the
limbs and twitchings of the tendons were uncommon. They occurred only in
those cases in which there was a predisposition to nervous diseases, and
chiefly in the convalescent state of the disease.
While the muscles and nerves in many cases exhibited so many marks of
preternatural weakness, in some they appeared to be affected with
preternatural excitement. Hence patients in the close of the disease
often rose from their beds, walked across their rooms, or came down
stairs, with as much ease as if they had been in perfect health. I lost a
patient in whom this state of morbid strength occurred to such a degree,
that he stood up before his glass and shaved himself, on the day on which
he died.
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