Observations on the use of emetics in constipation of the bowels : communicated in a letter to John B. Beck, M.D. / by David Hosack.

  • Hosack, David, 1769-1835.
Date:
1822
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the use of emetics in constipation of the bowels : communicated in a letter to John B. Beck, M.D. / by David Hosack. 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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    New-York, March 15th, 1822. Dear Sir, In the treatment of constipation of the bowels, it ap- pears to be generally agreed upon by the profession, that when we fail to evacuate the intestines by the various cathartic reme- dies ordinarily prescribed for this purpose, the last resource is mercury carried to the point of salivation ; at the same time trusting to opiates and antispasmodics to allay the pain, and to the usual antiphlogistic means of subduing any inflammation of the bowels that may be induced in the course of the disease. In the year 1796, I communicated to Dr. George Pearson, of London, a remarkable instance of constipation yielding to this treatment, after twenty-one days' continuance of the disease.* Reflecting upon the manner in which mercury operates in reliev- ing cases of this nature, after the gums have become affected, it occurred to me that the action of this metal is not only by its effects upon the secretions in general, but more especially upon the biliary organs. The dark coloured and acrid discharges that succeed to this operation of mercury, appear favourable to this explanation. In like manner the general derangement of the digestive organs, the foul tongue, the offensive breath, the sallow complexion, that usually precede and attend upon the • See Duncan's Annals of Medicine for the year 1796, vol. i. Edinburgh.