Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt:...will now be necessary to examine the action of this drug, the use of which also I propose to retain, and about the properties of which opinions are almost as much divided as about the merits and demerits of mercury. The honour of introducing it is generally accorded to Wallace, but I am not quite so sure on this point as some writers seem to be. The earliest mention of it by him that I have seen is in the "Lancet" for March z6th, 1836; and at the part where he speaks of giving it, he-says he had for two or three years been occupied in examining syphilitic cases; but Mr. Judd used the iodide in such cases as early as December 12th, 1833, and gave an account of his observations in a work dated 1836, with a preface bearing date as early as April aoth, 1834. I am well aware that the iodide is regarded by many authorities as nearly, if not quite, inert on secondary syphilis, and if it be looked at as a specific, simply to be given for a certain time and to a certain extent, I should have little faith in it myself, although I have seen it, used in this way, remove undoubted secondary disease. One of the most complete cases of syphilitic lepra I ever saw, and in one of the worst constitutions, was set right in this way. The patient was of a very feeble frame and haemorrhagic diathesis; though young he had lost nearly all his teeth. He was somewhat versed in medicine, and had stumbled on a case of mal-treated syphilis where mercury had been used, which so frightened him that he positively refused to hear of it. He did not object to the iodide, and was therefore treated with it solely, got quite well, remained so, and years after died of a distinct affection, nephritic calculus, the accuracy of the diagnosis being confirmed by a post-mortem examination....