The practice of medicine, according to the plan most approved by the Reformed or Botanic Colleges of the U. S : embracing a treatise on materia medica and pharmacy ; illustrated with numerous engravings ; designed principally for families / by J. Kost.

  • Kost, J., 1819-1904.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The practice of medicine, according to the plan most approved by the Reformed or Botanic Colleges of the U. S : embracing a treatise on materia medica and pharmacy ; illustrated with numerous engravings ; designed principally for families / by J. Kost. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    ance with our sound principles, unless by further pharmaceuti- cal improvements, its bad effects may be obviated. Frictions and Rubefacients.—The rubefacient oil, and other rubefacients, and stimulating external applications, are some- times of great service, especially in anasarca or dropsy of the cellular membrane. The use of the flesh brush, or even a coarse towel, is also an important means, and should never be neglected in difficult cases. These remedies are eminent- ly calculated to excite the absorbent system. Emetics.—These are useful in the treatment of dropsy, not because they produce much of a direct evacuation of the wa- ter; but they cleanse the stomach, and thus prepare it, not only for the reception of the other medicines, but for the proper di- gestion of the food, which is an important matter; for the en- tire system is not only dependent on this function when in health, but without it can never be restored from disease.— Moreover, the nausea produced by emetics, is also calculated to sustain perspiration by means of the attendant relaxation. Finally, the shock given to the system by their operation, is eminently calculated to excite the absorbents, and also, to some extent, the excretions. It is a good plan to commence the treatment of dropsy with the exhibition of an emetic, and they always do better if ad- ministered immediately after the patient comes out of the bath. Lobelia should generally be preferred to other emet- ics, for this use. It is not generally necessary to use this class of agents, more than once or twice a week. Tapping, Bandages, fyc.—In hydrocele or dropsy of the sro- tum, when the absorption of the fluid cannot be effected, paracentesis or tapping is sometimes advisable. In perform- ing this operation, a trocar and means for injection, are all the instruments that are necessary. The trocar (being within the canula or tube,) should be introduced in the fore part of the serotum, passing obliquely, or nearly perpendicularly up- ward, in order thus to avoid injuring the testicles. The tro- car should be withdrawn as soon as it has entered the tunica vaginalis or inner membrane. The canula should be left to remain, and endeavors should be made to evacuate all the fluid; and with a view to effect this, the parts should be grip- ed with the hand and pressed moderately. Before the canula removed, a weak solution of carbonate of potash should be injected through it, by means of an elastic bottle, having a proper tube to it, in order thus to excits inflammation, which