Observations on sulphureous fumigations, as a powerful remedy in rheumatism and diseases of the skin / by William Wallace.

  • Wallace, William.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on sulphureous fumigations, as a powerful remedy in rheumatism and diseases of the skin / by William Wallace. 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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    Among the great number of patients, who* la- bouring under scabies, were submitted to sulphe- reous fumigations, there were some in whom the disease was complicated with prurigo, tinea, “dartres”tand rheumatism. Gales having observ- ed with great assiduity, the progress of treatment in every case, and having noted with exactness the most trifling circumstance, remarked the favou- rable impression, which these fumigations pro- have arisen from the employment of an imperfect apparatus, and says, “ Nam quempiam vidi qui, ex fumo caput petente, in apoplexiam incidit, et statim mortuus in terrain corruit.” Dr. De Carro also observes, “ Although the utility of sulphur, taken internally, administered in the form of frictions, and mixed with natural or artificial baths, in many chronic dis- eases of the skin, of the articulations, of the glands, of the lymphatic system in general, and in some gouty affections, was known from time immemorial, the most illustrious physicians have been ever anxious to invent a means of administering the vapour of this mineral, rendered acid, and more penetrating by combustion : this wish was particularly published about thirty years ago, by a great physician of this capitol, (J. P* Frank.”) “ At different times many apparatuses have been invented, more or less imperfect, for the administration of sulphureous fumigations ; but we had not been able to apply them without affecting the organs off respiration, until Dr. Gales invented and perfected his fumigating box, the construction of which leaves nothing to be desired; and the success of which, since the year 1813, would appear incredible, if they were not cer- tified by the principal Civil and Medical Authorities of Paris.” De Carro loc. cit. p. 4. + Alibert includes under the term “dartres' the lepra, pity- riasis, psoriassis, lupus, herpes, erythema, ecthyma, and pompholyx of Dr. Willan; which, although very dissimilar in their appearance and form, resemble each other in their nature more than is generally believed.