Observations on the properties of the air-pump vapour-bath, pointing out their efficacy in the cure of gout, rheumatism, palsy, &c. : With cursory remarks on factitious airs, and on the improved state of medical electricity, in all its branches, particularly in that of galvanism, and their efficacy in various diseases / by M. La Beaume.

  • La Beaume, Michael.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the properties of the air-pump vapour-bath, pointing out their efficacy in the cure of gout, rheumatism, palsy, &c. : With cursory remarks on factitious airs, and on the improved state of medical electricity, in all its branches, particularly in that of galvanism, and their efficacy in various diseases / by M. La Beaume. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    It gives and preserves,’* says a celebrated physi- ologist, “ a proper tone to the vessels* It pro- motes all secretions, keeps every part in motion : it pervades the whole animal system, producing great variety of effects—numberless vibrations in the solids, and fermentations in the fluids/* In* deed, it would not be any extravagant hyperbole to assert, that electricity seems to be the grand Desideratum in physic, from which we may ex- pect relief, when all other remedies fail. The invention, the beneficial effects of which, in the treatment of many diseases, it is the inten- tion of the following pages to point out, will, when generally known, prove of no little conse- quence to mankind, as its object is of the last importance. The apparatus of the Air-Pump Vapour-Bath comprehends, and, for the Jirst time^ unites the effects offomentation^ and the cupping-glass^ two of the most powerful external means that have ever been resorted to, for acting on disease. Water and air, which till lately were thought simple and undecomposable bodies, are the means by which its powers are put in action. The first is made the vehicle for conveying the matter of heat into the system, and increas'cng the force of the circulation^ for relaxing spasmodic contractions and removing obstructions; and^ at the same time^ for giving tone to the vascular . The medical cases to which air may be applied, ^re extensive beyond calculation, w hether regard E