An inaugural dissertation on the congenital malformations of the heart / by John Paget.

Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inaugural dissertation on the congenital malformations of the heart / by John Paget. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    palpitations, with some darkness of the surface. In the second, when it becomes combined with other morbid states, we have the pain of chest, habitual dyspnoea, irritability of temper, fre- quent paroxysms, and constant purple skin; while, in the last, there is torpor of the senses, the colour almost black, oedema of the extremities, and speedy dissolution. Treatment. The treatment of these affections may be discussed in a few words ; it can only be palliative. The chief indications appear to be, to remove any cause exciting the recurrence of a paroxysm, and to relieve it when present. The first indication is best ftilfil- led by absolute rest; low diet,but such as contains most nutriment in a small compass, that the stomach may not be distended ; absence of any excitement to the feelings or passions; diaphore- tics ; and the enjoyment of a moderately warm, regulated tem- perature. The last, by the abdominal decubitus; frictions with flannel; or still better, the warm bath. To speak of the use of opiates, purgatives, and in the last stage, diuretics, is unnecessary. Farre * has ingeniously supposed, that the skin in these cases may, to a certain extent, compensate for the im- perfect manner in which the respiratory function is performed; and it is by acting on this surface, he is inclined to think, we must expect to afford the greatest relief. From the well known sympathy between the liver and lungs, and from the capability of the former organ to take on vicariously the function of the latter, as estabhshed by Tiedemann, it is not impossible, that, by stimulating this viscus to increased action, some of the bad effects resulting from mal-oxygenation of the blood might be prevented. Such, however, are but at best mere conjectures. For the present, we can only consider congenital malformations in com- mon with many other organic lesions, among the opprobria me- dica; and must therefore content ourselves, with such palliative remedies as experience shall prove most efficacious-. » Farre, Op. cit. p. 45. FINIS. TRlNTJil) By JOHN STAKK, EDINUliRGH.