Is phthisis pulmonalis contagious, and does it belong to the zymotic group? / by W.H. Webb.

  • Webb, William H. (William Henry)
Date:
1878
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Is phthisis pulmonalis contagious, and does it belong to the zymotic group? / by W.H. Webb. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    R. Morton states* :— This disease is also propagated by infection. For this distemper—as I have observed by frequent experience—like a contagious fever, does infect those that lie with the sick person with a certain taint. Baume says|:— By the observations which I have made, I judge that phthisis proves contagious in a healthy subject (or person) of phlegmonous temperament, and which gives the same characteristics as are observed in the development of that formidable malady. Cullen states^ :— It has been frequently supposed by physicians that the phthisis is a contagious disease ; and I dare not assert that it never is such. Heberden states§ :— I have not seen proof enough to say that the breath of a consumptive person is infectious; yet I have seen too much appearance of it to be sure that it is not; for I have ob- served several die of consumption in whom infection seemed to be the most probable origin of their illness, from their having been the constant companions, or bed-fellows, of consumptive persons. E. Darwin, in speaking of the contagion of Phthisis, states 11 :— I have myself seen three or four instance where a hus- band and wife, who have slept together, and have thus much received each others breath, who have infected each * Phthisiologia, or a Treatise of Consumptions, London, 1694, page 67. t Phthisie Pulmonaire, Montpellier, 1789, Vol. I, page 189. X Practice of Medicine, Edinburgh, 1790, Vol. II, page 390. j! Commentaries on the History and Cure of Disease, London, 1802, page 375. || Zoonomia, Philadelphia, 181S, Vol. I., page 311.