Royal Infirmary Cliniques (Paperback)

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. 1896. Excerpt: ... ON DIABETES MELLITDS. Gentlemen, --We have had in our Ward lately a number of cases of diabetes mellitus, distinctly greater than usual, and we find on inquiry that a similar experience has fallen to the physicians in other parts of our Infirmary. On inquiring of Dr Gillespie, our Medical Eegistrar, I found that for the last seven years the numbers of cases treated for this disease in the hospital have been as follows: --1888-89, 16; 1889-90, 17; 1890-91, 23; 1891-92, 27; 1892-93, 32; 1893-94, 42; 1894-95, 30. It will therefore be seen that there has been a very considerable increase in the number of cases admitted during the last three years. Dr Gillespie has further pointed out to me that there were three periods during which these cases were specially numerous, viz., October and November 1891, December and January 189293, and February and March 1894. It is noteworthy that each of these periods coincides with or follows periods during which epidemic influenza was noted to be specially prevalent. Eemembering the depressing effect of influenza on the bodily nutrition, we are not surprised at such results. Doubtless influenza has left other affections in its train, and doubtless also certain of our cases of diabetes mellitus can be shown to be ascribable to other etiological factors, but the special frequence of diabetes during late years, and its association, as regards time, with influenza, are well worthy of remark. The case of diabetes mellitus which I propose to discuss with you to-day is that of a man, T. L., aet. 50, a labourer, who was admitted to the Infirmary on 31st October 1895. His complaints were that he was always hungry and very thirsty, and that he had to make water with great frequency. His family history is fairly satisfactory, showing no .