Clinical illustrations of fever. Comprising a report of the cases treated at the London Fever Hospital, 1828-1829 / [Alexander Tweedie].

  • Tweedie, Alexander, 1794-1884.
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Clinical illustrations of fever. Comprising a report of the cases treated at the London Fever Hospital, 1828-1829 / [Alexander Tweedie]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/216 (page 6)
    In every case of genuine fever, there is not one, but several, organs affected; the affection, in the first instance at least, is functional, however soon this functional disturbance may pass into vascular excitement, and afterwards into inflammation. Every one who has attentively studied the order of invasion of the symptoms, and more particu- larly those who have had personal experience of fever, must be satisfied that the brain and ner- vous system are early and primarily engaged in ‘the febrile action; the disturbance in the brain is, in the beginning, simply functional, though it may, sooner or later, according to particular cir- cumstances, assume an inflammatory character. The circulation next partakes in the disor- der; there is generally, though not invariably, quick pulse and heat of skin, to which, as a consequence of the previous condition of the sensorium, succeeds a vitiated state of the secre- tions. Hence the furred tongue, thirst, depraved taste, and turbid urine, observed in fever. It is evident, that in this state of febrile excite- ment, to which the term simple fever may with strict propriety be applied, there is no preponder- ance of action in any organ; all parts of the sys- tem partake equally in the general disturbance. This may continue for an uncertain period, pro- bably for a few days, when it is either brought to