An account of some experiments made with the vapour of boiling tar, in the cure of pulmonary consumption.

  • Crichton, Alexander, Sir, 1763-1856.
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of some experiments made with the vapour of boiling tar, in the cure of pulmonary consumption. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    Notwithstanding the great power of this means of cure, I never employed it quite alone, but have at the same time prescribed internal remedies, such as the nature and ur- gency of the symptoms seemed to require; but these have been the same as every prac- tical physician has recourse to in similar cases. The happy effects of the tar vapour in many cases gave me the idea of trying the effect of other liquid resinous bodies in fumigation, such as the balsam of Peru, of Copaibi, of Tolu, the balsam of INIecca, &c.; but having neither a sufficient number of consumptive patients, nor a place suited for pursuing these experiments, I cannot give any positive opi- nion as to the efficacy of other resins, compa- red with that of the unmixed tar; but I can affirm, that I have found a considerable dif- ference in the efficacy of the various tars which have been employed. That used for the cordage of ships, seems infinitely the best adapted to the treatment here recommended. The simplest and best manner of filling a room with the vapour, is to phice the vessel containing the tar over a spirit lamp, taking