On pyæmia : read before the Medical Society of University College, November 25th, 1852 / by Joseph S. Gamgee, Esq.

  • Gamgee, Sampson, 1828-1886.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On pyæmia : read before the Medical Society of University College, November 25th, 1852 / by Joseph S. Gamgee, Esq. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    of leaden hue, the respiratory and cardiac movements are much accelerated, the breath has a peculiar odour, the wound presents an unhealthy appearance, the tongue dries, sordes accumulate on the teeth, symptoms of pleurisy and of articular affections may supervene, and abscesses form in different parts of the body. As the bodily weakness in- creases, the mental faculties become impaired, and life ends. This narrative of symptoms may be quite applicable to a particular case, though I have compounded it from a number of histories, and intended it as a general outline, rather than as a detailed account. It is now time to ex- amine more particularly into the diagnostic value of some of the most prominent semeiological characters to which I have called attention. I. The Shivers. Occurring, as this sign does, in a variety of affections, it might a priori be regarded as of little aid in diagnosis. The reverse is the case ; yet its importance must not be exaggerated. It is usually severe, and asso- ciated with remarkable depression of spirits and alteration of countenance. It rarely exceeds a quarter of an hour in duration, and usually occurs at periods varying from twelve to thirty-six hours. In two cases, the patients have in- formed me that the violent shaking of the body has been unassociated with a feeling of cold. In some cases, the shiver is a symptom of very little value. I have seen a case of compound fracture of the leg, in which, on cadaveric inspection, metastatic abscesses were found in the lung. During its whole progress, the patient only shivered once, and then but slightly. Again, the shivers may merely be the forerunners of an attack of erysipelas; and it is only by the coexistence or absence of other signs that the diagnosis can be established. II. Odi)ur of Breath, The merit is usually attributed to