PREFACE.

THIS Volume forms an epitome of the medical practice of the Bristol Infirmary during the last five years. The object which its author has had principally in view, is the recommendation of that practice in the different diseases treated of, which he has seen, upon the whole, to be the most successful. He trusts that to the junior members of the medical profession, and to those whose conversation has been rather with books than actual disease, his endeavours to promote a knowledge of the most efficient remedies will not prove unacceptable.

In the schools of physic, and in books, such a multiplicity of remedies for diseases is sometimes enumerated, that the inexperienced practitioner is bewildered in his choice of them. In this volume he will find that an allusion to medicines of doubtful or of but little efficacy, is very rarely made.

The authenticity of the cases related may be relied npon. Well aware of the difficulty of engaging the attention to the perusal of long cases, the author has compressed his, as much as possible. It is to be regretted that this indifference to cases prevails, for they form a species of reading more beneficial than any other: nothing can exceed its utility but actual attendance upon the diseased.

So numerous a selection of unsuccessful cases as the author has made for the illustration of disease, seldom appears in one volume. This selection will, he trusts,

be attended with its advantages. It will tend to prove that the grand object to be kept in view in the practice of medicine, is the prevention of a derangement of structure; and that no means will be found so effectual for that purpose as copious venesection, and a strictly antiphlogistic regimen.

The observations which the author has occasionally introduced, were made by the bedside of the patient.

The practical and the speculative parts of the work are carefully separated from each other. One advantage which the author hopes that his physiological conjectures will be found to possess, over many daily obtruded upon the Public, is, that however defectively supported by argument and experiment they may be, they will lead to a successful practice.

The author is aware that in some parts of his volume he has been betrayed into the adoption of an egotistic, in other parts of a dictatorial style. For this he craves the indulgence of the reader. Almost every thing here recorded has passed under his immediate observation. Ardently and deeply interested in all that he has described, he so completely identified self with subject, that he found it impossible to separate them.

Where he assumes a dictatorial language, it must be remembered that he is not insisting upon the efficacy of his individual practice, but upon that of Physicians who have long distinguished themselves by an eminent display of talent, and who now most deservedly enjoy the public confidence.

A

COMPENDIUM

OF

MEDICAL PRACTICE,

SECTION I.

ON DISEASES OF THE BRAIN, &c.

CHAPTER I.

Painful Affections of the Scalp.

THE scalp is liable to painful affections, the causes of which it is frequently very difficult, and even impossible, to ascertain. Sometimes, they may be traced to an injury inflicted upon the part at a distant period; at others, they appear to arise spontaneously. Derangement in the functions of the digestive organs often precedes the local affection, and they are uniformly aggravated by it. It not uncommonly happens that a partial or universal puffiness may be discovered upon examination; the scalp however is sometimes excessively tender to the touch without exhibiting any visible marks of disease.

Mr. Abernethy has descsibed these cases with great minuteness, perspicuity and elegance; to his works* I must therefore refer all those who are desirous of obtaining full information relative to them. Some com

* See Abernethy on the Constitutional Origin and Treatment of Local Injuries.

plicated and violent affections of this kind have fallen under my observation. Although, from their commencement to their termination they were highly interesting; they were of such long duration that I fear I could not describe them in detail without appearing tedious.

For their relief I have seen extensive incisions of the . scalp resorted to, but without any durable advantage. In one case the trephine was applied upon the left parietal bone; but little good resulted from the operation.

Treatment.

A judicious regulation of the digestive organs will be found more beneficial than any local application or surgical aid. The blue pill unquestionably will, if properly administered, establish a more healthy action in the liver and alimentary canal than any other remedy. In these affections it will be found peculiarly serviceable. Fowler's solution of arsenic ought to accompany its exhibition. In what manner this medicine affords relief in these and other diseases it is impossible to explain. Five grains of the mercurial mass taken once, twice, or thrice a week, as circumstances may indicate, and eight drops of the solution three times a day, will, in these complaints, afford more speedy aud permanent benefit than any other means that I have been able to observe.

CHAPTER II.

Tinea Capitis.

In cute capillata ad radices capillorum, ulcuscula humorem in crustam albam friabilem abeuntem fundentia.-Cl. iv. O. vii. G. cxxx. CULLENI.

TINEA CAPITIS is a very prevalent disease amongst the lower classes of society in this city; it appears to have its origin in a want of cleanliness; it is however