Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

After L. Calza's (a) investigation of the two muscular layers of the uterus with intervening cellular substance, the function of the uterus was explained by J. C. Reil by polarity; (b) against which some weighty objections were urged by J. C. G. Jörg, (c) to whom we are also indebted for an excellent comparative representation of the organs of parturition in women and other animals.(d) We conclude this review of the progress of physiology with enumerating the discoveries and corrections upon particular subjects. Sir E. Home examined more accurately the structure and functions of the spleen. (e) He believes he has found that the drink passes directly from the stomach into the spleen. Upon the system of the vena portarum, Conr. Hönlein published an admirable work, on account of its illustrations derived from comparative anatomy. (f) The lymphatic system has been investigated by Stanis. Gilibert, (g) the system of the skin by Gautier, (h) the capillary vessels by G. Prochaska, (i) by whom also the permeability of the sides of the vessels has been adopted, in which J. F. S. Posewitz had before asserted, that there were pores actually visible. (k) H. C. A. Osthoff explained the doctrine of nutrition and assimilation minutely and profoundly; (/) and Emmert determined exactly the chemical relations of chyle. (m) The use of the epiglottis was doubted by Magendie, (n) because he observed in dogs, from which it was removed, a complete closure of the glottis when they drank. But A. C. Meyer (o) showed very satisfactorily, that, in man, the epiglottis actually prevented the entrance of what was swallowed into the glottis, and also contributed to the formation of the voice.

e) Reil's Archiv, B. 7. S. 341. b) Daselbst, S. 394-501.

e) Neues Journ. der Erf. St. 19.

d) Ueber das Gebär-Organ des Menschen und der Sänghthiere. Leipz. 1808. fol. e) Nicholson's Journ. Vol. XX. No. 90.; Vol. XXI. No. 92. Reil's Archiv, B. 9. $.525.

f) Descriptio anatomica systematis venae portarum. Mogunt. 1808. fol.

g) Fffai fur le fyftème lymphatique. Paris, 1805. 8.

b) Recherches Anat. fur le système cutané. Paris, 1811. 4.

i) Bemerkungen über den Organifmus des menfchl. Körpers. Wien, 1810. 8.

k) Bestimmung des durch die Gefäss-und Nerven-Poren entweichenden flüchgen Stoffes. Giessen, 1805. 8.

1) Rhapsodicen aus der Lehre von der assimilativen und reproductiven Function des Organismus. Erl. 1806. 8.

m) Reil's Archiv, B. 8. S. 145. fol.

n) Zwey Abh. über das Erbrechen und den Nutzen des Kehldeckels beym VerschJucken. Aus dem Franz. von Dittmar. Bremen, 1814. 8.

e) Salzb. Med. Zeit. 1814. B. 3. S. 181.

*

That various, particularly metalline substances, and among these quicksilver, resist the process of assimilation, and pass directly into the blood, was proved by the experiments of C. M. Zeller, * who obtained metallic quicksilver from the blood of animals upon which he had rubbed it; and that quicksilver reappeared in the perspiration, during a mercurial treatment, was again observed. +

(To be continued.)

II.

An Experiment to ascertain the Effects produced on Sound Eyes, by the application of the Discharge from Eyes affected with Ophthalmia, in its different Stages; with Remarks. By J. MACKESY, Surgeon, 1st Battalion 62d Regiment.

1st. PHILIP BRIDGES, private in the 1st battalion 62d regiment, was admitted into the regimental hospital 17th of April 1808, labouring under ophthalmia. The conjunctiva was much inflamed; its vessels on the globe of the eye turgid with dark blood, and presented the appearance of incipient chemosis. 1 Palpebræ, particularly the upper, much swelled; a puriform discharge, and flow of tears considerable. Duration of the disease 20 days.

2d. SERJEANT MASSEY. The inflammation of both eyes had been considerable; is now on the decline; conjunctiva red; its vessels still turgid; a moderate purulent discharge. Has been 13 days in hospital.

3d. JAMES MASON, admitted the 29th April. The inside of the lids and conjunctiva moderately inflamed; the discharge not remarkably profuse. The 8th day of the disease.

4th. GEORGE VALLANCE, admitted the 7th of May; a recent case; both eyes much inflamed; violent pain; intolerance of light; a profuse flow of tears; but no purulent discharge.

Experimenta circa hydrargyri effectus in animalia viva. Tub. 1808. 8.-Reil's Archiv, B. 8. S. 213. fol.

Horn's Archiv, 1810. Jul. S. 252.

[ocr errors]

These were the different stages and appearances of ophthalmia in the above patients; when, on the 7th of May 1808, a piece of fine linen was impregnated with matter discharged from the eyes of each, by keeping the eyelids asunder, and carefully applying a fold of it to the globe of the eye and inside of the eyelids, so as to absorb a portion of the discharge. This piece of linen, thus imbued with the ophthalmic discharge yet fluid, I immediately applied over my own eyes, in the form of a shade, keeping the matter in contact with my eyes, by pressing on the linen with the fingers. On some of the matter getting between the eyelids, a slight smarting sensation was produced.

I kept the shade applied in this manner somewhat more than an hour; then took it off; walked about a mile, and on my return felt no unusual sensation in my eyes. On this day, that oppressive and disagreeable wind, known in Sicily by the name of sirocco, prevailed, and blew clouds of dust in all directions.

I dined and took the usual quantity of wine; returned to my room at 9 in the evening, applied the linen over my eyes as before, and wore it all night. I removed it at 7 in the morning, examined my eyes, and could perceive no appearance of inflammation.

A few drops of tepid water were rubbed on the discharge, now become hard and crusted; and I applied that part of the linen, where the matter was thus softened, to the globe of each eye. No inconvenience ensued.

This last trial was made with a view of determining whether the ophthalmic discharge might not receive additional activity from the atmosphere; and its action thereby become more certain, through the medium of sponges, towels, wearing apparel, &c.

This experiment was made at Messina in Sicily; and at a period of about eight months after the 62d regiment had returned from Egypt, where, during its stay in the summer months of 1807, ophthalmia had made extensive and destructive progress in several battalions, particularly in the 21st regiment. Numerous cases likewise occurred in the 62d regiment while quartered there; but in very few was vision much impaired, and in none completely destroyed.

The foregoing trial is by no means given as a decisive proof of the innoxious property of ophthalmic secretions; as I am fully aware, however accurately performed, it will appear too solitary a fact to warrant any positive conclusion, or to shake the present structure of popular opinion relative to ophthalmic contagion; though, it is presumed, it may only tend to draw nearer the bonds of analogy which exist between ophthalmia

[ocr errors]

and other phlegmasiæ, but also to direct the inquiries of others to a closer examination of facts connected with the subject.

On the embarkation of the British regiments at Alexandria in Egypt, some very severe cases of ophthalmia occurred on board the transports on our passage to Messina; and I have had repeated opportunities to remark, that, on this occasion, as well as on several others on board transports, where effectual separation of those attacked was impossible, it was not the comrade, or those in the same or nearest birth, who were the next sufferers, but others in a different part of the ship, for the most part contiguous to a port-hole or open hatchway.

On foreign service, the buildings occupied as regimental hospitals are, from necessity, frequently ill calculated to admit of the classification or separation of diseases, as, perhaps, one large apartment constitutes the entire hospital. Under such circumstances, favourable for the communication of ophthalmia if contagious, I have never seen the complaint make any progress in the other patients; and, if a solitary case of ophthalmia_took place, it most generally occurred in a person whose bed was near a door, window, or some aperture which admitted a current of air, and not in the vicinity of those labouring under the disease.

The fact of ophthalmia making rapid progress in one battalion, while another, which appears similarly situated, is comparatively free from the disease, though much relied on, may not be a conclusive argument in favour of contagion.

The predisposing causes of many diseases are not sufficiently obvious to come under common observation; and, in every regiment, the individuals composing which being continually subject to the same condition, and obedient to the same unvaried habits, a certain collective disposition, or general temperament, (if I may be allowed the expression), will be gradually formed and prevail, which, as is observed in individuals, bestows a peeuliarity of character that distinguishes corps; and although this temperament, or distinctive feature, is, in most regiments, too subtle to be detected or described, yet it may, notwithstanding, predispose to particular diseases.

From the curious structure, situation, use, and great delicacy of the organ of vision, it is necessarily more subject to the va rious causes which predispose to or excite inflammation, than any other part of the body; ingentibus vero, et variis casibus oculi nostri patent. '-CELSUS.

[ocr errors]

From these considerations, and from daily observation, I am led to suppose that ophthalmia, under all its varieties, unconnected with constitutional disease, depends on the same predis

posing and exciting causes as the other phlegmasiæ, and is produced without the adventitious aid of contagion. However, in a question of this nature, where an opposite opinion rests on high and respectable authorities, I am unwilling to judge with the confidence of absolute decision. While any doubt remains, it is prudent to guard against the possibility of contagion, as far as circumstances may admit.

The division of ophthalmia into purulent and other species, uninfluenced by constitutional complaints, although ingenious, may not be supported by truth.

In the course of a few days, these appearances of the disease may be seen occurring in the same company and barrack room, and will yield to the same mode of treatment. The purulent discharge, as well as the chronic stage, may be looked on as casual modifications and progressive changes, and not essential distinctions in the same complaint.

An attentive consideration of the peculiarities which mark any situation where ophthalmia most frequently prevails, will materially tend to illustrate the causes of that complaint. To answer such an inquiry, Egypt presents to the medical observer her low plains, sandy deserts, lakes in the neighbourhood of Alexandria, and the dazzling glare reflected from the uniformly white surface which every object there presents. To these also should be added, an atmospheric temperature much above that to which Englishmen are accustomed, night dews unusually heavy, and the minute particles of hot sand which float in the air, and are raised by the lightest breeze;-causes, on the pernicious effects of which, in producing the worst cases of this disease, it is unnecessary to dwell.

ture.

The habits, duties, and mode of living of any class of persons most subject to attacks of a particular disease, likewise form material points of consideration in an investigation of this naThe habitudes, customs, and duties incidental to a military life, peculiarly distinguish the soldier from those of the like sphere and condition who are occupied in civil pursuits, and often, even under the utmost care of the officer, render the exciting causes of ophthalmia unavoidable.

Before closing these remarks, I beg leave to say a few words on the treatment of ophthalmia,-a subject now so exhausted, as to render any further discussion almost needless; nor do I believe that some of the many publications relative to it have considerably advanced our knowledge. To a mind untutored in the school of extensive experience, the impressions received from a confused mass of contradictory materials, convey false

« AnteriorContinua »