Southern Medical and Surgical Journal - Georgia Regents University

——76 Campbell's Lecture on Dysentery. [February,ry, than is conjecture; and hence, by the aid of the former, maywe endeavor to show, that Pathology must ever find its proof inTherapeutics.It will be perceived, that there are four important elementaryconditions presented for our consideration in the study of thisdisease, which must be observed throughout, and also reconciledto each other's demands and from these four conditions arise thefour indications of Treatment : they areFirst. The existence of Fever, dependent upon spinal disease,which confirms and enhances, at each return or exacerbation, allthe other evils of the case. Hence prevent this fever.Second. There is inflammation of a mucous membrane, requiringITS OWN PECULIAR TREATMENT.Third. This mucous membrane lines the interior of an excretorycanal— the seat of the inflammation—WHICH MUST BE KEPT OPENit will not do to obstruct it; for besides the ordinary and necessarydemands of health, that this prima via should be unencumbered,and which also has a tendency (notwithstanding all interposedefforts) to convey its contents onward to their exit—if, fromany cause, the detritus of the process of digestion is detainedwithin its calibre, it would become concrete and consolidated,and would act as an irritating body to the inflamed mucouslining—especially as every excitedcontraction of the muscularcoat of this canal, would compress its inflamed lining, firmlyagainst this resisting substance,, where it would probably be heldfor some time, on account of the loss of normal tone in the mucousand muscular coats at this point, and would greatly enhancethe difficulty— therefore prevent constipation.Fourth. There is a state of Exhaustion or, more properly,Fatigue— Kegular rest and resuscitation of strength areTO BE secured TO the patient— by whatever means attainable,provided they can be reconciled to the three other obligations to befulfilled—in order to indemnify his vital energies for the effectof the harassing influences preying upon them.In answer to the First, it is of the last importance, during anintermission or remission, to stave off a return, or an exacerbation,of fever, with the well known specific, Quinine—thatmagnificent boon of Heaven to Earth.Quinine should be givenunconditionally, and irrespectively of the other elements of treatment,at such time and in such quantity as will accord with the