Observations on the symptoms and specific distinctions of venereal diseases; interspersed with hints for the more effectual prosecution of the present inquiry into the uses and abouses of mercury in their treatment / By Richard Carmichael.

  • Carmichael, Richard, 1779-1849.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the symptoms and specific distinctions of venereal diseases; interspersed with hints for the more effectual prosecution of the present inquiry into the uses and abouses of mercury in their treatment / By Richard Carmichael. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ed ; the eruption and pains had entirely declined before the 14th of July, and the ulcer had healed to one-half its former size. His countenance and general appearance were at the same time improv¬ ed. But at this very juncture, when the ulcer was healing rapidly, by some imprudence, he ex¬ cited inflammation, and a partial paraphymosis. He was again directed to confine himself to bed and to poultice the penis with bread and water. In a few days the inflammation was dispersed, and the ulcer, at the time this sheet went to press, was all but healed. i ' Although these two cases cannot Fall to make a due impression, yet if they stood alone, their evi¬ dence could not be deemed sufficient to establish a belief that true syphilis, like the papular disease, is capable of yielding to the powers of the constitu* tion or to remedies in which mercury does not form an ingredient. But this deficiency seems to be in a great measure supplied by the testimony of Mr. Rose, Mr. Hennen, and other equally intelligent surgeons, who had the advantage of serving with our army on the continent; and if in the preceding pages, I appear to be sceptical with respect to the accuracy of their observations, and doubted that it was true chancre and the true syphilitic eruption which yielded to their prescriptions, un¬ aided by mercury, these two cases have satisfied ■ jne that every attention is due to the exactness and discernment of these respectable individuals ; and if I hesitated until I saw with my own eyes, and judged with my own understanding, I claim