Cerebro spinal meningitis / by D.G. Thomas.

  • Thomas, D. G. (Daniel Golden), 1806-1880.
Date:
[1858]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cerebro spinal meningitis / by D.G. Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    In the third place, they differ by a strong tendency in this, to run rapidly through the successive stages of inflamed serous membranes to suppuration; as has been shown, leaving a deposit of pus in the short space of twenty-one hours. In tlie fourth place, they differ from the great rigidity of the muscles of the spine and neck, often confining the head for days in one fixed position, sometimes drawing it directly backward, at other times to either side. Another difference might be called the fifth, is the great sen- sibility of the surface of the body, showing its relations with the organic nerves, especially those of sensation. It seems only necessary to refer to the remaining sign ot their difference, in the petechial eruption which in this affection has become a distinguishing mark. I have thus, gentlemen, although in an imperfect manner, ful- filled the object proposed In the examination of this disease. I have availed myself of every material source of information within my reach, and deeply regret that more has not been pub- lished in an accessible form, to aid us in meeting the many indi- cations which are ever present with this fearful malady. It is greatly to be feared, that with our present knowledge, when it has its seat in the nervous centers and surrounding parts, which give origin to the nerves of organic life, every resource of medi- cal science will be unavailing. On the other hand, when those parts are not primarily affected, but become so only by an exten- sion of the disease, an opportunity is given for the use of means to arrest the diseased action before fatal lesions are produced.