A short note on peritoneoclysis, hypodermoclysis, and vesicoclysis in cholera : a paper read before the Bombay Medical and Physical Society, February 6, 1885 / by Cameron Macdowall.

  • Macdowall, Cameron Joseph Francis Stuart, 1832-
Date:
[1886]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A short note on peritoneoclysis, hypodermoclysis, and vesicoclysis in cholera : a paper read before the Bombay Medical and Physical Society, February 6, 1885 / by Cameron Macdowall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    26/26 (page 26)
    1854 many authors appear to have written on the subject. The chief difficulty seems to have been the want of directions for the employment of the method. In tapping for dropsy, the volume of ascitic fluid would protect the intestines; but in injecting the peritoneum for other diseases, it would seem necessary, as Dr. Eichardson has done, to make a small lancet incision and scratch down to the peritoneum, and then push in a blunt cannula. Such a cannula, blunt at the end, with an eyelet like a catheter at one side, I have left with Dr. Duranty, one of the chief physicians of the cholera hospital established at the Palace of ' Pharo,' at the entrance of the harbour here; and Dr. Bassano, one of the house-surgeons, and the doctor himself, have promised to give me careful details of any cases which they may be able to treat by intra-peritoneal injections. All seem anxious to try them, intra-venous injections neither having succeeded in this epidemic, nor being, unless with exceptional apparatus, unattended with risk. The almost sudden influx of fluid by the veins seems to be unfavourable. I also strongly recommended the injection of the subcutaneous cellular tissues with warm water, so as to produce artificial anasarca, for both cases of dropsy and anasarca have been known to recover when attacked by cholera, apparently through the ' absorption of their effusions. To Dr. B. W. Richardson, it appears, we are indebted for this method, though others may have thought of it independently. Drs. Cooney and Purvis have recommended vesical injections, but Dr. Eichardson, who tried this long ago, did not find the absorption to be satisfactory. Besides, so dangerous is the reabsorption of urine, that the catheter has often to be employed. The epidemic seems to be passing away. The deaths registered are chiefly of cases admitted long ago in the stage of secondary fever. The admissions seem now to be few. Dr. Koch has recommended, I hear, the non-watering of the streets, as he believes desiccation kills the ' microbia.' (?) All the medical officers, sisters, and attendants, including ladies of rank, the British consulate, chaplains, etc., display the utmost courage and devotion. I am, Sir, yours truly, Cameron Macdowall, F.E.C.S. Edin., Brigade Surgeon, Bombay Army. Marseilles, August Ist, 1884. W. H. BEER AND CO., 88, HENKIETTA STKSET, COVENT OARDBN.