The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopath...Page 453 of 653profuse nose-bleed, hrematemesis, hsemaptoe. The filling of thepocks with an ichorous pus is a very rare occurence. The size ofthe pustules varies considerably in the same individual. Some onlattain the size of a lentil and dry up very speedily; others resethe bullae of pemphigus, and some again do not even leave theirpapular form. A few single variola-pustules are met with in everycase of varioloid ; it is the universality of the suppurative proand the longer duration of the disease that determine the characteristic nature of small-pox.With regard to the whole course of the disease we distinguishsmall-pox where the fever preserves an adynamic type during thewhole course of the disease, and small-pox with septic tendenciesthroughout its course. It not unfrequently happens that, after thdisease bar. passed its first stage, the fever suddenly assumes aadynamic type. In adynamic small-pox the pustules may not reachtheir fuU development ; in septic small-pox they are apt to becomVariola. 587hemorrhagic and gangrenous. The phenomena accompanying achange of this kind, resemble altogether those of an intense typhVariola without an eruption is a speculative theory rather than apractically verified fact-Complications and sequelae occur much less frequently aftersmall-pox than after measles and scarlatina, but are no less dangous, for the reason that they have their origin in the suppurativprocess; hence, they occur almost exclusively during and after thcourse of variola, and very seldom after or during an attack ofvarioloid. As direct consequences of the variola-pustules we mention : diphtheritis, croup and oedema glottidis. The lastprocess likewise occurs as a complication of varioloid. The coursthese complications and sequel» does not essentially vary from thof other analogous diseases. The croupy sound is often heard alreduring the efflorescent stage of small-pox, but at this period itno dangerous significance ; it only becomes threatening during thstage of suppuration. Violent inflammations especially of the sermembranes, meningitis, pericarditis, pleuritis, inflammations oflarge joints, deep-seated abscesses only occur after the suppuratfever has set in. They certainly do not arise from the intensitythe inflammatory process upon the skin, but from the absorptionof pus. The eyes in consequence of an inflammatory process goingon in their interior, are not unfrequently threatened with hypopywhereas it is immaterial in a case of varioloid whether a numberof pustules have become seated close to the eye or on the conjunctiva. The danger is altogether determined by the supervention ofthe suppurative process.In both variola and varioloid the prognosis is very uncertain ;the most favorable appearances at the beginning sometimes giveway very suddenly to the most dangerous symptoms, and vice versa,cases that set in with symptoms of great severity, turn out verymild at the end. Age is of great consequence in this disease ; olpeople have to suffer a great deal more than young persons, evidently owing to the greater rigidity of the skin. As a matter ofcourse, a vitiated constitution and unfavorable social circumstanabove all, pregnancy and confinement invest small-pox with a character of most threatening gravity.http://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt