General conclusions on the nature and cure of hydrophobia, intended for popular reading / By James Wood, M.D. &c. &c.

  • Wood, James, M.D., -1822.
Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: General conclusions on the nature and cure of hydrophobia, intended for popular reading / By James Wood, M.D. &c. &c. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/20 (page 17)
    * bite of a species of viper, induces Dr Bardsley to think, that this medicine may be of use in this disease. We can- not have too large a magazine of powerful stimulants to resort to in such a state of the body, as a succession is required in a rapid manner to produce any sensible effect in so short a period as commonly is allowed for their action ; , perhaps the Peruvian balsam may be no trifling vehicle for the volatile alkali. Opium, in very small doses, has proved a powerful addition to the other means. The late Mr Hill used to give it with his medicine ; but as a preventive, it cannot be o f any use. iEther may be properly added to- it. I remember that Dr Black, in his lectures, always mentioned his suspicion of arsenic forming a part of Mr H.’s remedies. From the powerful tonic effect of the mineral solution, it appears adapted to every indication in the cure of convul¬ sions ; I have stopped long established epileptic paroxysms by its powers. It has not been mentioned by any author I have read on this disease.* To the above I will now add, that next to ablution, to which no objection can be made, the keeping the wound open for a proper time appears to be of the first importance, and that tonics and antispasmodics are chiefly to be relied upon if the symptoms of the disease should take place. Per¬ haps the operation of the arsenical solution may be too slow in such a rapid disease, after the symptoms have appeared, and that the bark with valerian may have a more immediate * Since the date of this, I think arsenic has been recommended by Dr Bardsley. C