Medical and Philosophical Commentaries (Volume 5) (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.1777 Excerpt: ... SEC T. II. Medical Observations I. Some Remarks on the Treatment of Hydrocephalus Inter nus, suggested by d perusal of Doctor Percival'x saper on that Subjecl in theiStb Number of the Medical Commentaries. In two Letters to Dr Duncan, /r-- Samuel Foart Simmons, M.D. IDo not in the least hesitate to communicate to you the ideas that occurred to me on reading Doctor Percival's observations on hydrocephalus internus, in the 18th number of the Medical Commentaries; because I am persuaded, from the candour which is so apparent in all the writings of that ingenious and celebrated physiE e e 3 cian, cian, that he will not be displeased with a few reflections, which are transmitted to you from no other motive, than a desire to ascertain what degree of confidence may be placed in the method, ps treatment he recommends, in a disease which is confessedly so fatal, and which has hitherto basiled the attempts of the ablest and most experienced physicians. I suspect that Doctor Percival, by confining his views chiefly to the effects of the mercurial frictions, in the case he relates, has overlooked the effects of the other remedies he employed; and particularly of the blisters, which were so liberally applied, and so uniformly productive of relief. This will the more clearly appear, if we take a cursory view of Doctor Percival's very accurate journal of the cafe, in which, or I am greatly deceived, it is much easier to trace the good effects of the vesicatories applied to the head and back, than any beneficial operation of the mercury. Doctor Percival informs us, that, previous to his first visit on the 4th of September, a blister had been applied, during the aclion of which, the patient was thought to be much better, but that he soon relapsed into his former stat...