It is sometimes painfully amusing to observe, not only the difference of
opinion expressed by medical men from one generation to another, but by
those of the same period, and same school.
In the "London Lancet" of July, 1864, there appeared a curious table. A
medical practitioner, who had long suffered from hay fever, had from time
to time consulted various other medical men by letter, and he gives us in
a tabular survey the opinions they gave him of the causes of this disease,
and the remedies, as follows:--
"Herewith," writes Dr. Jones, "I forward a synopsis of the opinions of a
few of the most eminent men, in various countries, that I have consulted.
I have substituted a letter for the name, as I do not think it prudent to
place before the general reader the names of those who have so disagreed."
Consulted. Opinion of Cause. Recommended.
Dr. A. A predisposition to phthisis. Quinine and sea voyage.
Dr. B. Disease of pneumogastric nerve. Arsen., bell., and cinchona.
Dr. C. Disease of the caruncula. Apply bell. and zinc.
Dr. D. Inflammation of Schneiderian To paint with nitrate of
membrane. silver.
Dr. E. Strumous diathesis. Quinine, cod liver oil, and
wine.
Dr. F. Dyspepsia. Kreosote, henbane, quinine.
Dr. G. Vapor of chlorophyll. Remain in a room from 11
A. M. to 6 P. M.
Dr. H. Light debility, hay pollen. Do., port wine, snuff, salt,
and opium, and wear blue
glasses.
Dr. L. From large doses of iodine.
(Never took any iodine.) Try quinine and opium.
Dr. M. Disease of iris. Avoid the sun's rays from 11
A. M. to 6 P. M.
Dr. N. Want of red corpuscles. Try iron, port wine, and soups.
Dr. O. Disease of optic nerve. Phosph. ac. and quinine.
Dr. P. Asthma from hay pollen. Chlorodyne and quinine.
Dr. Q. Phrenitis. Small doses of opium.
Dr. R. Nervous debility, from heat. Turkish baths.
This needs no comment.
The different opinions on doses of medicine is more absurd. We have
already mentioned cases wherein certain physicians administered calomel in
scruple, and even drachm doses. Before us is a work wherein it is
seriously asserted that a medicinal action was obtained from the two
hundredth trituration,--a dose so small, in comparison with the scruple
doses, as to be counted only by the _millionths_.
How many of us have had to wake up mornings, and swallow a table-spoonful
of sulphur and molasses, with mingled feelings of disgust at the sulphur,
and exquisite delight from the molasses, as we retired, lapping our
mouths, to get the last taste! Now, L. B. Wells, M. D., of New York,
informs us that he has cured an eruption of the skin by the use of the
four thousandth dilution of sulphur,--so comparatively small that I
cannot express it by figures. Well, these extremes have their uses, and we
may look for relief in the mediate ground. The smaller we can get the
dose, and still be reliable, the better we shall suit the people,--though
we shall seriously offend the apothecaries.
Dr. Francis, in his book, "Surgeons of New York," tells the following,
which illustrates how a desperate remedy may apply to a desperate disease.
The cases in reference were "peritonitis." Dr. Smith (our "plough-boy")
had charge of the lying-in wards, under Professor Clark.
"Dr. Smith, have you ever attended a common school?" asked Professor
Clark.
"Yes, sir."
"Did you ever hear a teacher say, 'I will whip you within an inch of your
life?'" pursued Dr. Clark.
"Yes, sir; I have."
"Well, that is the way I wish you to give opium to these patients,--'to
within an inch of their lives.'"
Dr. Smith determined to follow implicitly his instructions, and gave to
one as high as twelve grains of opium an hour.
"At this extreme point the remedy was maintained for several days.
"The patient recovered, and remained in the hospital, attached to kitchen
service, for several months."
Certainly, the poor Irish, even, have their uses in New York city.