Remarks on irritative fever, commonly called the Plymouth dock-yard disease; with Mr. Dryden's detailed account of the fatal cases, including that of the lamented surgeon, Dr. [James] Bell / [John Butter].

  • Butter, John, 1791-1877.
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on irritative fever, commonly called the Plymouth dock-yard disease; with Mr. Dryden's detailed account of the fatal cases, including that of the lamented surgeon, Dr. [James] Bell / [John Butter]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    walk ; I was, in short, undone. The parox¬ ysm had not quite gone off; my pulse beat 150 strokes in a minute, and strong; the pulsations could be counted in my ears, seen in the carotid arteries, and observed at the wrist without feeling. I had a cough, and difficulty in breathing, with a pain low down in the loins. In this state I was found by two medical friends, who were prompted by the kindest motives, after hearing of my illness, in ten¬ dering their professional advice and assist¬ ance ; for which I hope ever to feel and acknowledge the deepest gratitude and obli¬ gation. By their direction I lost thirty ounces of blood, which was both buffed and cupped, without fainting. Free perspiration after¬ wards followed. I took a dose of calomel and antimony by their direction, dozed for a few hours, and got better. I repeated the medicine, and took a cathartic, which ope¬ rated powerfully. 9th. Having passed a tolerable night, I was considered better, and the amendment fairly enough attributed to the bleeding. I came down stairs, and continued easy until noon, after which a sense of lassitude and de¬ bility again came over me, with frequent yawning.