Observations on the properties of the air-pump vapour-bath, pointing out their efficacy in the cure of gout, rheumatism, palsy, &c. : With cursory remarks on factitious airs, and on the improved state of medical electricity, in all its branches, particularly in that of galvanism, and their efficacy in various diseases / by M. La Beaume.

  • La Beaume, Michael.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the properties of the air-pump vapour-bath, pointing out their efficacy in the cure of gout, rheumatism, palsy, &c. : With cursory remarks on factitious airs, and on the improved state of medical electricity, in all its branches, particularly in that of galvanism, and their efficacy in various diseases / by M. La Beaume. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    aflections of the knee and elbow-joints; and, in every view of the subject, there is little doubt that the Apparatus I recommend is, in almost every stage of them, a powerful mean of relief. In incipient cases I am of opinion it will seldom fail, if managed with that skill and address which must occur as necessary to the minds of shilJuL practitioners^ in whose hands alone such a valuable acquisition to our art ought to be placed. It must not be dissembled that it has in some cases appeared to fail*; but when we take into account, that it has sometimes been under the direction of persons totally ignorant of the laws of the animal economy, and destitute of that spirit of perseverance, generally necessary to over- come chronic affections; the wavering state of mind of irritable patients, and the general preju- dice in all ranks of people against every thing* new ; we shall not be surprised that it should not on all occasions, have obtained the credit it de« serves. In many cases+, however, in persons of *Tvpo cases of an affection of the knee-joint, characterized by an unusual relaxation of the ligaments, with a preternatiirally encreased latitude of motion, occured to me. In one of them, the natural swell of the vastus internus muscle above the knee-joint, seemed entirely shrunk. In neither of these cases had the Apparatus any effect, though properly persevered in. This affection happily is not of a dangerous tendency j nor do other remedies seem more success- ful in removing it. See Russell on the Knee-joint, page 158. t Aware of the delicacy necessary in mentioning names on such occasions, I have omitted their insertion ; but have the privilege of making personal references to several, whenever I may find it necesaary.