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Winter Quarters Causes of Death Definitions |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Bilious fever related to certain intestinal and malarial fevers . Bilious fever usually occurs in more temperate climates in the summer or fall. In this fever, the rise of temperature is usually slow. The patient will look ill, have a strong pulse, flush face, and furred tongue. The temperature of the patient will rise gradually instead of suddenly.
Etiology: When a continual, remitting, or intermitting fever is accompanied with a frequent or copious evacuation of bile, either by vomit or stool, the fever is denominated bilious .
Treatment: A liquid diet should be given to the patient in order to treat this disease.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: Bilious fever is also known as remittent fever.
Canker is characterized by a small, shallow, yellowish ulcer below the tongue or on the inside of the lips. The ulcer usually occurs with some type of digestive disorder.Canker is sensitive to touch and results in pain during chewing and talking. Its symptoms consist of an inflammation of the mucus membrane of the mouth and tongue.
Etiology: The causes of canker may include poisons (such as mercury or lead), debilitating diseases such as consumption, or bad hygiene.
Treatment: Treatment for Canker includes touching the ulcer with a point of a toothpick dipped in poisonous carbolic acid.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Similar types of inflammation of the mouth occur in two other diseases, syphilis and diphtheria. In diphtheria the membrane over the tonsils may spread to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.
Chills and fever may be characterized as a malarial fever. Chills and fever are most prevalent during the rainy season. Thus, although some cases may occur in the spring, most exist in the autumn or even toward winter; and is most often found outside of cities. The chills and fever exist in 48 or 72-hour cycles, depending on the parasite with which a patient has been infected. The parasites usually undergo development in the red blood cells. Upon the destruction of these cells, the chills and fever develop, returning every 48 or 72 hours. The entire chills and fever system may last from 4-6 hours, depending on the severity. Between the systems, the patient may feel as if they are of normal health. These systems may occur every 48 or 72 hours intervals. The chills and fever develop in three stages: cold, hot and sweating. The cold stage may be defined by the loss of energy, pain, nausea, headaches and vomiting. Shivering begins, resulting in the patients' development of a chill. The body shakes, the face turns blue, goose bumps form, the teeth shatter and the affected individual has extreme cold, which will last from 15 minutes to approximately one hour. The hot stage is defined by a heat sensation and high fever (between 101 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit) that follows the cold sensations of the Cold Stage. The individual will be thirsty, have headaches, and a strong pulse. The Hot stage may last 30 minutes to three or four hours. In the sweat stage perspiration exists all over the body and the patient will probably fall asleep.
Etiology: The cause of chills and fever were found in 1880-Doctor Laveran a French Army surgeon who found the same parasite in the blood of every individual affected with chills and fevers. It has been discovered that these tiny parasites (carried by the mosquito) are found in malarial fevers. Mosquitoes transfer chills and fever. Mosquitoes acquire the parasite from biting someone who already harbors the parasite. The mosquito then transfers that parasite by biting and infecting a new person. In other words, the parasite may not exist in a population until someone already infected is introduced. It may then be transferred through mosquitoes. Chills and fever usually develops in a person a few days to two weeks after being bitten by the mosquito.
Treatment: The best way to treat chills and fever is to remove the patient to a non-malarious country with a high altitude. If the patient is already infected, the best care is to confine the diseased to a bed.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Chills and Fever are found today in the malarial class of fevers.
Consumption is from “consumo” which means, “to waste away.” Consumption begins with a short, dry cough, followed by the spitting up of both mucus and blood. Respiration becomes hurried and the patient loses weight through loss of appetite. Patient's suffering from consumption usually has pain in some part of the thorax or under the sternum. The pain may also spread to one of the sides so a person cannot lie on that side. By the end of the disease, the patient may look like a walking skeleton. The patients' countenance is changed, cheeks are prominent, eyes look hollow, hair falls out, and feet swell. It appears that the lungs are destroyed throughout the disease. Although the patients' appearance is altered, the senses and mind are not affected during the disease. Patients are usually positive and believe that they are perfectly healthy. A Medical Dictionary claimed, “ It is, indeed, a happy circumstance attendant on phthisis (consumption), that those who labor under it are seldom apprehensive or aware of any danger; and it is no uncommon occurrence to meet with persons laboring under its most advanced state, glittering themselves with a speedy recovery, and forming distant projectors under that vain hope.” Consumption is usually developed between puberty and the age of 25 and may prove fatal within six weeks.
Etiology: Consumption is a contagious disease, which is caused by hereditary disposition and a depression in the nervous system. It may also result from dust created by stonecutters and millers or from the fumes of metals or minerals in the air. Additionally, consumption may be caused by exertions, grief, disappointment, anxiety, strong liquor, diarrhea, diabetes, or lack of exercise.
Treatment: Consumption may be treated by drawing blood with leeches and keeping the bowels soluble by gentle laxatives. Inhalation of steam may soothe the lungs. Pain may be relieved through the use of hemlock. A person with consumption should have a diet consisting of milk, vegetables, fruit, and shellfish. It has been recorded that sailing will help treat consumption.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Synonyms of consumption include marasmus and phthisis. Today, the cause of the disease is the result of a bacterium, termed bacillus tuberculosis, which develops in the lungs.
Congestion is defined as a collection of blood or other fluid; thus we say a congestion of blood in the vessels, when they are over distended, and the motion is slow. Congestion is named depending on what part of the body is affected by it. Congestion of the brain is called Cerebral Congestion.
Etiology: An abnormal amount of fluid to a vessel or organ is due either to an increased amount of fluid, or to an obstruction of return flow.
Treatment: Congestion of the brain may be treated sustaining strength through nourishing food. Also a patient may shave their heat and rubbing it nightly with an ointment containing mercury. The fluid may be gradually removed by taking warm baths
Sources: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Congestion of the brain may also be a form of or related to hydrocephalus.
Croup is a disease that affects infants, and has never been known to attack a person at the age of puberty. Croup is more prevalent in cold environments, and is characterized by a sore throat. Croup is known by pain and redness of the throat, accompanied by a difficulty of swallowing and breathing. Sufferers often have a short, dry cough, and expiration of a concrete membranous sputum. Upon contracting the disease the child appears drowsy, inactive, fretful, and a cough that has a shrill sound. The face becomes flushed and they have difficulty breathing. The cough sounds like the yelping of a dog and respiration is performed with a hissing noise as if the throat were obstructed. As the patient struggles for air, they also have much thirst, fever, and restlessness. The child may also have muscular contractions on their fingers and toes and may further result in convulsions. The croup generally proves fatal by suffocation and death may occur after 24 hours, but usually occurs on the fourth or fifth day.
Etiology: Difficulty of swallowing and breathing, both characteristic of croup, is caused by inflammation of the throat, which impedes respiration. A viral or bacterial infection, an allergy, a foreign body, or new growth may also cause croup .
Treatment: In order to treat the disease, blood is taken from the arm and leaches should be applied along the fore part of the neck. When croup appears to be proceeding to a fatal termination, mercury has, in several instances, stopped the progression of the disease. Warm wraps may also be used as well as hot-water bags.
Sources: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Croup is also known as Cynanche. It is now known that these symptoms are often associated with diphtheria, spasmodic laryngitis, and a third disease, spasmodic croup, to which the term is now alone applied. True croup is known as Laryngeal Diphtheria.
Dropsy, also known as water on the brain, is a collection of serous fluid in the cellular membrane of the brain. It also occurs when a fluid is collected in the ventricles of the brain, producing dilation of the pupils. It may be of a chronic nature when the water increases to an enormous quantity which effects the bones of the head and there is absorption of the brain. Symptoms of dropsy on the brain include pain in the head, dilation of the pupils, nausea, vomiting, slowness of the pulse and convulsions, loss of appetite and increase in the size of the head.
Etiology: Dropsy of the brain is caused by a collection of water between the membranes of the brain. It also appears that dropsy is a result of an inflammation of the arachnoid (meninge) membrane of the brain.
Treatment: Sustaining strength with nourishing food may treat dropsy of the brain. Also a patient may shave their head and rub it at night with a mercury containing ointment. The fluid may be gradually removed by taking warm baths.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Hydrocephalus is a modern day equivalent of dropsy of the brain.
Diarrhea refers to “a purging.” Diarrhea is distinguished by frequent stools and is not contagious. In a case of diarrhea, the stomach usually becomes sick and may include vomiting. The countenance may grow pale and the skin generally becomes dry. At times diarrhea may result in death due to dehydration. Other symptoms of diarrhea due to relaxed bowels include griping pains in stomach, sometimes twisting; coated tongue; fever; and tenderness of stomach.
Etiology: Diarrhea may be causes from bile, overloading the stomach, relaxed bowels, mucous, and worms. Diet also plays an important role in the cause of diarrhea. At times, diarrhea is only the natural way for the body to rid itself of injurious or indigestible material. Diarrhea is also a possible side effect of exposure to the cold.
Treatment: If the patient has diarrhea from indigestible food, they should allow all of that material to be evacuated from the body. A laxative may be helpful in releasing the material. Additionally, the liver may be treated by the cautious use of mercury. Also, bathing, warm clothing, and gentle exercise may be effective in treatment. The diet is the most important factor in treating diarrhea. The diet must not include foods that irritate the bowels. Fish, milk, vegetables, rice and bread are the best. Upon recovery, rhubarb will prevent permanent constipation.
Sources: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Diarrhea is still commonly used today.
Dropsy is a premature swelling of the whole body, or some part of it, occasioned by a collection of watery humor. Dropsy can affect various parts of the body including the liver and heart, the abdomen, the brain (hydrocephalus), and the chest (hydrothorax). More precisely, dropsy is defined as a collection of a serous fluid in the cellular membrane, in the viscera and the circumscribed cavities of the body.
Etiology: Dropsy is caused by an effusion of fluid into the areolar tissue beneath the skin or into one of the serous cavities of the body . General dropsy may result when functions of the skin are suddenly suppressed, thus allowing certain morbid materials to accumulate in the blood.
Treatment: Treatment for dropsy includes the removal of the fluid accumulation by increasing the secretion of urine and producing watery evacuations of the bowels. Additionally, puncture, or the tapping of the skin may remove the liquid in the serous cavities. The diet of the patient is also extremely important and efforts should be made to restrict the diet to a small amount of fluid.
Sources: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Dropsy is modernly referred to as edema.
Dysentery is an illness involving severe diarrhea containing blood and mucus. Abdominal pain, rectal urgency, and sometimes fever are present.
Etiology: Dysentery is caused by bacterial, viral, protozoan, or parasitic infections and is most common in places with inadequate sanitation, were food and water become comtaminated with pathogens.
Treatment: In adults, dysentery caused by bacteria usually subsides spontaneously. But in children, and other vulnerable groups, the condition can be treated with antibiotics. Since the person infected may become severely dehydrated, they will require rehydration.
Sources: Donald Venes M.D., ed. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (F. A. Davis Company, 2001); John H. Dirckx M.D., ed. Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary (William and Wilkins 1997);
Modern Day Equivalents: Today it is still known as dysentery.
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The fever is characterized by an increase of heat, a quick pulse and an impaired state of several bodily functions. A fever usually starts with a gradual approach called an onset or an incubation period. A feeling of weariness, dry skin, cold hands and feet, loss of appetite, and headaches define a fever. After the fever, there is a stage of decline which lads to recovery as the symptoms become less sever. After the stage of decline, the body and its functions will resume their normal course.
Etiology: Fever appears to be caused by poor hygiene, bad food, symptoms of various diseases, and/or, other unknown causes.
Treatment: A fever may be treated by plenty of rest and an improved diet.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: Also known today as a fever.
FEBRIS INTERMITTENS - The Intermittent Fever or Ague
The intermittent fever, or ague, is also, like chills and fever, a malarial disease. This type of fever is also known by cold, hot, and sweating stages in succession, attended by a remission. The body is most vulnerable under a poor water diet, fatigue, grief, anxiety, and exposure to damp beds or cloth. Those organs that are participants in the formation of bile, such as the liver, are usually the most affected by those that die from the ague. This fever is characterized by three stages: the cold, the hot and the sweating stages. The cold stage results in a pale face and extremities, features shrink, and the skin becomes constricted. The patient will feel cold and will have pain in the head, back, loins, and joints. Additionally, the patient will also have nausea, vomit, colorless urine, and thoughts that are confused. This stage may last 15 minutes to one hour. The hot stage commences with heat over the whole body, redness of the face, dryness of the skin, thirst, pain, anxiety, and restlessness. If the attack is severe, the body temperature may reach 105 degrees and delirium will arise. When the fever continues for a long length of time, the patient may have a loss of appetite, flatulency, debility and although not common, it may prove fatal. This stage may last 30 minutes to four hours. The sweating stage is defined by extreme perspiration as the temperature goes down. Like the other malarial diseases, intermittent fever occurs in cycles. Intermittent fever may occur daily, 48, or 72-hour cycle. Anemia is an example of a complication that may occur as a result of these cycles. The lack of red blood cells may leave the patient with a yellowish tint along with additional muscle weakness and fatigue. Relapses are common in ague and may occur within five to six months. Intermittent fever may not be overcome as long as the patient has visceral disease.
Etiology: Intermittent fever is transferred via the mosquito. The ague is caused by stagnant water or marshy ground.
Treatment: Overcoming the visceral disease may involve local bleeding. If the disease involves the liver, mercury may be used successfully.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: This disease is also related to various malarial diseases. Today, medical professionals know that the ague is caused by a bacterium in the class bacillus.
Fits may have a reference to epilepsy or external injuries to the head. A fit may also refer to a cramp, spasm, or convulsion. It includes an involuntary contraction of the muscular fibers. When the contractions alternate with relaxation, they are called convulsions. The body will become rigid. Diseases such as scarlet fever and whooping cough may include fits as one of their symptoms. Spasms and contractions may spread to other muscles, becoming so severe that the arms and fists curl tightly, the feet curl down, and the body assumes a stiff backward arch as the heels and back of the head bend toward each other. Complete, unrelenting contraction of the diaphragm results in a final inhalation. Patients die because they cannot exhale.
Etiology: Fits may be caused by constipation of the bowels, indigestions, irritation of the gums, or fright.
Treatment: To treat a fit you can place the patient in a warm bath and place a cold-water cloth on their head.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: Fits may have reference to epilepsy or external injuries to the head. Additionally, today we also know that fits may be caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani .
Those with a bowel complaint have an inflammation of the peritonaeum, or serous sac over the intestines, liver, and spleen. It is the most likely part of the body to become inflamed. Symptoms of inflammation of the bowels include an increase in body temperature and pain in the abdomen that increases in an upright position. Additional symptoms include a chill with a moderate fever, quick fever, constipation, vomiting and difficult respiration.
Etiology: Inflammation of the bowels is caused by exposure to wet and cold, perforation of an ulcer or traumatic events.
Treatment: To treat this disease, the patient must have a restricted diet and receive cold and wet applications to the stomach. Surgery may also help the patient. Peritonitis includes various diseases but is not distinguishable and they are all treated in the same manner.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: The modern day equivalent of inflammation of the bowels is peritonitis. Today, Peritonitis is the term used to describe the situation where bacteria ulcerate and perforate the intestinal wall, allowing bacteria from the intestinal tract to enter the abdominal cavity.
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS
Inflammation of the lungs is characterized by pain in the side or chest, difficulty breathing, dryness of skin, a cough, thirst, and discharging of substance from the lungs which frequently is bloody. Suffocation can be a threat and if occurs the blood vessels in the neck swell, the face turns purple, and a fast release of blood from the lungs “deprives the patient of life.”
Etiology: Commonly occurs in the winter or spring when there is a drastic change from hot to cold. Those previously diagnosed are more susceptible to the recurring of the disease.
Treatment: To treat inflammation of the lungs, the patient should profusely sweat for several hours. This may be attained by a vapor bath or medication. It is beneficial early on in the treatment to bleed the patient until they faint from loss of blood. This should occur on an empty stomach. Digitalis is given to decrease the blood circulation. For more serious cases opiates such as syrup of poppy or a full dose of opium may be given at night to assist in sleep, along with calomel and antimony to help regulate the body’s temperature.
To clear the lungs, inhalation of steam or cough powder may be used to loosen the mucous and emetic is given to induce vomiting clearing the air passage of thick matter. Demulcents, an oily substance to coat the irritated mucous membrane, or a cooling sialagogues, a substance that promotes saliva, are given to suppress coughs.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); Gardner, Marlin and Benjamin H. Alyworth, The Domestic Physician, and Family Assistant, in four parts ( Bedford, Massachusetts: Applewood Books).
Modern Day Equivalents: Pneumonia
Measles is a highly contagious diseas that is caused by the rubeola virus. Symptoms include fever, general malaise, sneezing, nasal congestion, brassy cough, conjunctivitis, and spots over the entire body. The incubatio period is about 10-12 days during which there are no symptoms. The characteristic rash and symptoms will last 4-5 days. The prognosis is favorable for a healthy child is favorable, but the disease can be serious, even deadly. The occurence of measles before age 6 months is realtivly uncommon, because of passivley aquired maternal antibodies from the immune mother. An attack of measles will bring permanent immunity. Today, a measles vaccince is available.
Etiology: Measles is highly contagious and is contracted through respiration (contact with fluids from an infected person's nose and mouth, either directly or through aerosol transmission).
Treatment: Because measles is so contagious, the patient should be kept in isolation until 4 days after the rash appears. Bedrest and a calm cool environment are provided, along with adequate fluid intake and whatever can be done to relieve the symptoms of cough, fever and itching. Care should be taken in washing hands in order to prevent contraction of the disease.
Sources: Donald Venes M.D., ed. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (F. A. Davis Company, 2001); John H. Dirckx M.D., ed. Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary (William and Wilkins 1997);
Modern Day Equivalent: Today it is still known as measles.
Scarlatina affects people of all ages, but children and young persons are most subject to it. Scarlantina is an extremely contagious disease and is similar to the measles. It may be transferred through articles of clothing. The most contagious time for this disease is within the first three or four days of the illness. The chief sources of the disease are discharges from the ears, nose, or mouth. Scarlet fever begins like other fevers with confusion of ideas, chills and shivering, alternated by fits of heat. Additionally the person will be thirsty, have dry skin, anxiety, nausea, vomit, dull redness of the eye, deafness, delirium, and the tongue, teeth and lips are covered in black or brown. During about one third of the day, the scarlet rash appears on the skin. This occurs for three to four days until the fever subsides, the “scarf-skin” falls off and the patient regains their former strength.
Etiology: Scarlet fever is a rash accompanied by a sore throat. The causes are unknown.
Treatment: Applying cold cloths to the neck treats this disease. The patient may also gargle with salt water.
Sources: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Scarlet Fever is also known today by the same name, Scarlet Fever. Today it is also known that the disease is caused by a bacterium of the class Streptococcus.
Scurvy can be found most prevalent in cold environments, and is characterized by a pale and bloated complexion, spongy gums, spots on the skin, offensive breath, hemorrhages, foul ulcers, and extremely offensive stools. As the scurvy advances, respiration is hurried, teeth become loose, gums are spongy, breath is offensive, old wounds reopen, and the amount of urine is small. The intellects, however, for the most part remain clear and distinct. In the last stage of the disease, the joints are swelled and stiff, the tendons of the legs are rigid, hemorrhages break forth, and diarrhea or dysentery may arise. The patient will bruise even with the slightest blow.
Etiology: The scurvy is caused first of all by the lack of fresh food, especially a diet lacking Vitamin C. A diet consisting of salted food will produce this disease. The reason that salted provisions increases the prevalence of the scurvy is because they are drained of their nutritious juices, which then becomes extracted. The disease is more prevalent in cold environments than warm and is caused by cold and moisture, deprivation of fresh provisions, confinement, want of exercise, neglect of cleanliness, labor, fatigue, and sadness.
Treatment: In order to treat the scurvy, the patient must have a diet of fresh vegetables. It is important that the patient partakes of foods that contain native acid such as oranges and lemons. Many plants such as mustard, horseradish and garlic have also proved. The spongy state of the gums is improved by washing the mouth with sufficiently diluted mineral acids.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: Today it is also knows as the scurvy or scorbutus.
Spasms are characterized by an involuntary contraction of the muscular fibers. Spasms may also occur when the muscles are consistently contract without relaxing.
Etiology: Spasms may be caused by constipation of the bowels, indigestions, irritation of the gums, or fright.
Treatment: To treat a spasm you can place the patient in a warm bath and place a cold-water cloth on their head.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Spasms are also referred to modernly as spasms.
Summer complaint is a popular term for any diarrheal disorder occurring in summer, especially when produced by heat and indigestion. The disease is found almost entirely in the infant population. The first symptoms may be in the stomach, bowels, hands and feet. These symptoms may be followed by offensive vomit. The child will have a loss of body heat and intense thirst. Without relief, the infant will have a cold perspiration and the disease may become chronic until their death.
Etiology: Summer complaint is caused in part by hot weather and/or poor ventilation. Summer complaint in infants is often caused by spoiled milk or other unwholesome, indigestible food. An additional cause may include painful teething.
Treatment: The first step in treating Summer Complaint is to remove the cause. If the infant is nursing, the mother's diet should be improved. The patient should receive pure air and sunlight. If the disease is a result of teething, the gums must be lanced.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalents: Summer complaint is referred today as Cholera Infanutm or infantile diarrhea. The disease may also be related to dysentery.
Typhus fever is a disease that commonly occurs in areas where humans are crowded closely together. The disease most often affects those who have a poor diet, fast, do hard labor, are deprived of sleep, and live under dirty conditions. The symptoms of typhus fever include shivering and chills, frontal headache, depression and loss of muscular strength, weariness and soreness, and pains in the head, back, and extremities. The eyes appear full, heavy, yellowish, and inflamed. The tongue is dry and parched, and respiration is difficult. Additionally, the breath is hot and offensive, urine is crude, and the pulse flutters. The fever begins abruptly with severe pain in the head. As the disease progresses, the pulse will increase rapidly (100-130 beats per minute). The tongue, mouth, lips, and teeth become covered over with a brown or black fur. The patients' speech becomes inarticulate and delirium ensues. They may find it impossible to concentrate on any one subject. The fever continues to increase as the breath becomes more highly offensive, the urine contains a black sentiment, the stools become offensive, and hemorrhages emerge from the gums, nostrils, mouth, and other parts of body. In the diseases final moments, livid spots appear on the patient's surface, the pulse sinks, the extremities grow cold, hiccoughs ensue, and “death at last closes the tragic scene.” Death will usually occur between the twelfth and twentieth days of the disease.
Etiology: Typhus fever is most generally caused by contagion, applied from a person, or through contact with affected clothing. This is why it occurs most commonly where people are living in close proximity to one other. Impure air and bad food appear to be predisposing factors to Typhus fever.
Treatment: It may be necessary to isolate those who are affected with typhus fever in order to preserve the rest of the population.
Source: Robert Hooper, M.D., LEXICON-MEDICUM; OR Medical Dictionary (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1826); B. Frank Scholl, ed., Library of Health: Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Co., 1944); Kenelm Winslow, The Home Medical Library, Volume II (New York: The Review of Reviews Co., 1911).
Modern Day Equivalent: Synonyms of typhus fever include malignant fever, jail fever, bilious fever, hospital fever, ship fever, putrid fever, and brain fever.
WATER ON THE BRAIN – see Dropsy of the Brain (Hydrocephalus)
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease that is one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths. Most deaths occur in children under one year of age. After a 7 to 10 day incubation period, pertussis in infants and young children is characterized initially by mild respiratory infection symptoms such as cough, sneezing, and runny nose. After one to two weeks, the cough changes character, with paroxysms of coughing followed by an inspiratory "whooping" sound. Coughing fits may be followed be vomitting not necessarily due to nausea but doe to the sheer violence of the fit itself, which in severe cases leads to malnutrition. Coughing fits gradually dimisnish over one to two months.
Etiology: This disease is caused by a by the bacterium Bordetella Pertussis. Pertussis is spread by contact with airborne discharges from the mucous membranes of infected people.
Treatment: Immunization prevents pertussis in children younger than 7 years. Precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease; isolation and bedrest should be provided. An antibiotic can help the person become less infectious but does not significantly alter the outcome of the disease.
Sources: Donald Venes M.D., ed. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (F. A. Davis Company, 2001); John H. Dirckx M.D., ed. Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary (William and Wilkins 1997);
Modern Day Equivalent: Today it is known as pertussis.
Parasitic worms are worm-like organisims that live and feed off a living host receiving nourishment and protection while disrupting its host's nutirent absorption, causing weakness and disease. All worm offspring are passed on through poorly cooked meat, especially pork, wild fish , and beef, contaminated water, feces, mosquitoes and, in general, areas of poor hygene and food regulation standards. Worm eggs, larvae or even adult worms enter the human body through the mouth, anus, nose or skin with most species attaching themselves to the intestinal tract.
Sources: Donald Venes M.D., ed. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (F. A. Davis Company, 2001); John H. Dirckx M.D., ed. Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary (William and Wilkins 1997);