Observations on sciatica and other neuralgic affections : with a consideration of their frequent origin from a disordered state of the stomach ; interspersed with some novel views respecting the origin and prevention of gall-stones ... ; together with an account of the waters of Bagnères de Bigorre and Barége in their treatment / by Richard Carmichael.

Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on sciatica and other neuralgic affections : with a consideration of their frequent origin from a disordered state of the stomach ; interspersed with some novel views respecting the origin and prevention of gall-stones ... ; together with an account of the waters of Bagnères de Bigorre and Barége in their treatment / by Richard Carmichael. 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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    approaching diabetes mellitus were obviated chiefly by the daily use of the warm bath, which restored the skin to its functions; and I was gratified in finding, that as the skin became soft and perspirable, the secretion of urine diminished. I look upon a close observance of the state of the urine to be of the utmost importance to the dyspeptic patient. For not only is the deviation just noticed of consequence, but when he finds it vary from the clear, healthy, amber colour, and become dark, clouded, and turbid, or otherwise changed in ways that shall be adverted to, he may be certain that he has eaten or drunk more than was prudent; or, that the quality of his food w^as such as to irritate and excite his sto- mach beyond bounds, the powers of w'hich had been already weakened ; or that he has prolonged his fasting to too great an extent; or that he has used exercise, either mental or bodily, immediately after meals ; or that he may have neglected to use sufficient exercise at the proper periods for bodily exertion ; or finally, that the cares or anxieties of life have, through the medium of the brain and nervous system, disturbed the functions of this all-important organ. In fact, the state of the urine points out when errors are committed by the dyspeptic against the organic laws, with the same promptitude as the fabled ring of the Sultan Amurath indi- cated those against the moral laws; and these indications follow the errors in regimen above alluded to, with such con- stancy, that little mischief is likely to arise, if they are received as a warning against their repetition. By this precaution alone, functional disorders are easily remedied, and organic changes most effectually prevented, not only in the stomach and intestinal canal, but in those which are likely to follow, if the first are unattended to, viz., in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Venienti occurrite morho, is an adage, the wisdom of which every body admits, but to wdiich few attend.