The works of Robert Whytt, M.D. ... / Published by his son [Robert Whytt].

  • Whytt, Robert, 1714-1766.
Date:
1768
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The works of Robert Whytt, M.D. ... / Published by his son [Robert Whytt]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    761/838 (page 721)
    above recited, where the quick pulfe and feverifhnefs proceeded more from a pituitous infardlion than a true inflammation of the lungs, blifters, by relieving this organ, in fome meafure, of the load of humours opprefling it, would render the circulation thro’ its vefiels freer, and confequently leffen the quicknefs of the pulfe, and other feverifli fymptoms. It may not, however, be improper briedy to point but the reafon why blifters, which have been obferved to be remarkably efhca- cious, even when early applied, in pleurifies are lefs fo in true pe- ripneumonies. This difference, I imagine, may be accounted for from there being no immediate communication between the pulmo¬ nary vefTels and thofe of the fides and back, to which the blifters are applied ; whereas the pleura and intercoftal mufcles are fur- niflied with blood-veftels from the intercoftal arteries, which alfo fupply the teguments of the thorax: £b that while a greater flow of ferous humours, and alfo indeed of red blood, is derived into the vefTels of the external parts, to which the veficatories are ap¬ plied, the. force of the fluids in the vefTels of the inflamed pleura^ or intercoftal mufcles, muft be conflderably leflened.. Further, as the intercoftal mufcles and pleura are, as well as the teguments of the thorax, fupplied with nerves from the true intercoftals, blifters applied to the back and fides may perhaps, on this account, alfo have a greater efFebl in relieving inflammations there than in the lungs, which have nerves from the eighth pair, and from the inter- coftals improperly fo called. Edinburgh, May 23d, 1757- ♦ Dr Pringle’s Obfcrvations on the difeafes of the army, part 3.chap. 2. Extra (ft