Library Collections: Document: Full Text
![]() |
The Medical Treatment Of Insanity
|
![]() |
Page 2: | |
16 | We rarely give very large doses, seldom more than one grain of the Sulphate of Morphine or one drachm of Laudanum at a time, usually less. We generally prefer a solution of the Sulphate of Morphine, two grains to an ounce of water, to any other preparation of opium that we have used. We presume the acetate of morphine, is equally good. In some cases Dover's Powder has a better effect than morphine and sometimes laudanum better than either. | |
17 | I am pleased tu find the experience of others in the use of opium in insanity has led them to adopt similar views. -- Prichard in the first edition of his work on Insanity speaks disparagingly of its use, but in a later work he says, "There are few disorders in which so much benefit is derived from this remedy, as in cases of insanity." | |
18 | Many cases, especially those of some months continuance, require invigorating diet and tonic remedies. The insanity, or rather the causes that produced the insanity, such as grief, anxiety of mind, intemperance, &c., have already debilitated the system, and much caution is necessary not to increase this debility. Hence, although a patient may exhibit great maniacal excitement, and appear to have prodigious strength, there is usually danger in depleting. | |
19 | Many of the patients sent to this Institution, have been injured by too much bleeding and depletion before they were committed to our care. Some we think have been rendered incurable by this treatment, and we cannot forbear remarking, that in our opinion, the work of Dr. Rush on the "Diseases of the Mind," in which directions are given to bleed copiously in maniacal excitement, has done much harm and we fear it is still exercising a bad influence, and we hope no future edition will be issued without notes appended to correct the errors into which the distinguished author has fallen for want of the numerous facts which have been furnished since his time, and which enable us to see the error of our predecessors. | |
20 | The various preparations of Bark, Quinine, and other tonic remedies are here used, but no one preparation is so generally prescribed as the combination of Conium and Iron above mentioned, and from none have we seemed to derive more benefit. Ale we often administer with advantage. | |
21 | In many cases of debility and loss of appetite we have found the following preparation quite serviceable. | |
22 |
R. Tinct. Cinchona Comp. oz. i. | |
23 | Insanity is often complicated with other diseases and these need attention. Nocturnal emissions not unfrequently occur to the injury of the patient. In such cases we have derived more benefit from Tincture of Muriate of Iron in large doses than from any other remedy, and we have tried very many. The insanity of some females seems to be caused and perpetuated by Passive Menorrhagia. It is apt to occur about the time the uterus is losing its functions, and is difficult of cure. We have sometimes derived much benefit from the use of Tincture of Muriate of Iron, but more frequently from the Tincture of Cinnamon, and Tincture of Aloes combined, from twenty to thirty drops of each. | |
24 | It should ever be borne in mind that disease in the insane is very apt to be masked, -- that serious disease of the lungs or of some of the abdominal viscera may exist, but without being manifested by the usual symptoms and may therefore be overlooked without careful examination.. In other respects not particularized in these remarks, we are not aware that the diseases of the insane require different treatment from those of the sane. |