Prize essay, on fistula lachrymalis / by Robert W. Haxall.

  • Haxall, Robert W. (Robert William), 1802-1872.
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Prize essay, on fistula lachrymalis / by Robert W. Haxall. 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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    behind the ears, hot, stimulating pedeluvia and a restricted diet. Such is the general outline of the treatment indicated in the first stage, and independently of personal experience in its favour, we can adduce the names of Prof. Beer, Mr. McKenzie, and M. Lisfranc. (1) Indeed, the latter gentleman appears to adapt this method of treatment to the commencement of the second period of the disease ; for we find it reported in the Journal General for May 1829, that he had presented a case cured in fifteen days, of Lach- rymal Tumour and Fistula to the French Academy.— How far this mode may be pursued, would seem to require nice discrimination ; for should it be carried to too great an extent during the suppurative process, an obstinate blen- norrhcea might result. In event of the remedies here recommended having failed to produce a resolution of the tumour, the inflammation as before stated, presents a darker and more shining aspect ; a whitish spot is observable, and the second period is clearly established. Our antiphlogistic means should now be dis- pensed with, and after the use of warm poultices for a short time, it will be proper to resort to the knife, with which a (I) In the time of Heister, such was the treatment recommended in slight Fistula1, a term at that time used to express what we would now call an inflammation of the Sac. After advising the Sac to be emptied by pressure with the finger, he continues his remarks by saying, at the same time too, you must call in the aid of phlebotomy, purges, scarification, blis- ters, diet and regimen, according to the patient's peculiar habit and circum- stances.—London Ed. 1759. Before this time, compression was resorted to with success, as is affirmed by the testimony of Dionis and Garengeot. But any method producing so much irritation as this will inevitably do, must be in direct opposition to all physiological principle.