Observations Illustrative of the History and Treatment of Chronic Debility, the Prolific Source of Indigestion, Spasmodic Diseases, and Various Nervous Affections (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.1824 Excerpt: ... the consequence of obstructed menstruation, but that in those cases where these two states are combined, the pulmonary disease has previously existed, and given rise to the obstruction. Every practitioner must have seen instances in which obstruction has taken place from some accidental cause, as cold, when no disease of the lungs had previously shown itself, and yet in some time after, the obstruction continuing, pulmonary disease has come on; whereas, in cases precisely similar, but wherein the menses have speedily See Edin. Medical Journal, vol. vi. pp. 75, 175; Medical and Physical Journal, vol. xxiii. p. 619, for a case of this description, and various observations in favour of and against the validity of this opinion. recurred, no such disease has resulted. In the former case, the chronic general inflammation produced by the morbid contraction of the vessels of the uterus has extended itself to the vessels of the lungs, and thus caused disease; in the same manner as when chronic general inflammation is produced by pulmonary disease, it will be determined to the vessels of the uterus. It is through this medium these organs become reciprocally affected by the diseases of each other. During the continuance of chronic general inflammation, every part of the body is liable, in different degrees, at different times, to have its vessels affected by this morbid disposition: hence arise various local diseases, according as one or other part more largely partakes of the general disposition, although the lungs and uterus are the two organs more frequently attacked. Of these particular diseases it is not now my intention to speak, but of that general disposition which gives rise to them. This general increased vascular contraction constantly accompanies a state...