The Medico-Chirurgical Review and Journal of Medical Science Volume 44 (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. 1844 edition. Excerpt: ...carbonic acid in the blood. These several conditions injure the vital functions, both by the want of a due supply of blood, and by the bad quality of that blood, which is injurious, --negatively for want of oxygen, and positively from its excess of carbonic acid and other excrementitious matters which are sedative. The symptoms induced are also of two classes--1, those implying failure of function, such as muscular debility, feeble action of the heart, coldness of the surface and extremities, and abolition of the senses and mental faculties; 2, those arising from congestion and the noxious influence of the black blood, such as palpitation, flashes in the eyes, noises in the ears, delirium, muscular spasms, &c. There is another mode iu which the changes by respiration may become defective, that occurring gradually, or when the functions are not active. This may be seen when the defect is congenital, as in malformation of the heart, causing cyanosis, in which case some venous blood passes into the arteries--it is also seen where the defect is very gradually induced, as in emphysema of the lungs. The chief indication here, is to restore the respiratory function, where it is defective. The injurious effect of defective respiration may be diminished by lowering the activity of the functions--by enjoining complete rest of both body and mind--by warmth to the surface and extremities, whilst air is supplied cool and fresh to the face and air-passages--by sedatives which reduce the circulation and other functions to a lower standard. In extreme cases, stimulants may be required for the enfeebled circulation, and depletion to remove the engorgement of the venous system. We shall now pass on to the secondary or proximate elements of disease. The class of...