Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part I. For the year 1757.: Giving some account of the present undertakings, studies, and labours, of the ingenious, in many considerable parts of the world.Various
History
Philosophical transactions, Vol. L. Part I. For the year 1757.: Giving some account of the present undertakings, studies, and labours, of the ingenious, in many considerable parts of the world.
Various
Science -- Periodicals
On the 28th of June 1757. Mary Alexander, aged 31 years, of the
parish of Whitechapel, was brought into the London hospital, having
a mortification in both hands, which reached about an inch and half
above the wrists. All her toes, and about an inch of one foot beyond
the last joint, were mortified; her nose was also intirely destroyed
by a mortification; and all these happened at the same time. Upon
inquiry into the cause of this misfortune, I found, that on Monday
the 30th of May she was seized with a quotidian ague, which usually
began about three of the clock in the afternoon, and lasted near two
hours; which was succeeded by a hot fit, and then a violent sweat. And
in this manner she was afflicted for seven days without any material
alteration; when, being informed by a neighbour, of a person, who had
an infallible remedy for the cure of an ague, she applied to him. He
brought her two phials, containing about an ounce and half each, of a
pale yellowish liquor; one of which he directed her to take directly,
promising, that she should have no return of the fit of consequence;
and that, if she had any small return, the second bottle should cure
her effectually. In consequence of which, she took one dose, which
was at the time the cold fit had been on about a quarter of an hour:
she had no sooner swallowed it, but, as she says, her stomach was on
fire, and felt as if she had swallowed the strongest dram possible.
The cold fit left her instantly; but she was immediately seized with
so violent a fever, as to make her burn, and be extremely thirsty,
all the following night; much more so than ever she had been before,
till the next morning, when a sweat a little relieved her from the
violent heat. When she rose in the morning, she was much troubled with
a great itching in the hands, feet, and nose; and soon after all those
parts began to feel numbed, or, as she describes it, as if her hands
and feet were asleep; which she took but little notice of, till the
evening of that day, when she found the nails of both hands and feet
were turning black, and, at the same time feeling great pain in both,
as also in her nose, and that they appeared of a darkish red colour,
like the skin in cold weather. Upon which, at nine o’clock that night
she sent for an apothecary, from whom, I have since been informed, the
person before mentioned had bought the medicine, which he gave her.
The apothecary was not at home; his journeyman went, and finding the
woman had a difficulty of breathing, ordered her a mixture with sperma
ceti and ammoniacum to be taken occasionally. The apothecary did not
see her himself till the 16th of June, when finding her in a very bad
condition, that her hands, and feet, and nose, were intirely black, and
had many vesicles or small bladders upon them, filled with a blackish
bloody water; he opened them, and let out the fluid, and dressed them
with yellow basilicon; and in this manner continued treating her till
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