other means.[1] When the pulse is full and strong, I have seen venesection premised with apparent advantage; in some instances it appeared to me to be called for by the flushing of the face and the violence of the spasms; and I have never seen it otherwise than a safe remedy, notwithstanding the fears expressed by Dr. Warren and others.[2]
The hospital of La Charité in Paris has long enjoyed a high reputation for the treatment of this disease. In the first place a decoction is given of half an ounce of senna in a pound of water, mixed with half an ounce of sulphate of magnesia and four ounces of the wine of antimony. Next day an ounce of sulphate of magnesia and three grains of tartar-emetic are administered in two pounds of infusion of cassia, to keep up the operation of the first laxative. In the evening a clyster is given, containing twelve ounces of wine and half as much oil. After this the patient is made to vomit with tartar-emetic, then drenched with ptisanes for several days, and the treatment is wound up with another dose of the first purgative succeeded by gentle anodynes. I am not aware of any particular advantage possessed by this complicated and tormenting method of cure, which is not equally possessed by the simpler plan pursued in Britain.
In 1831 M. Gendrin announced to the French Institute that he had found sulphuric acid to be at once the most effectual remedy, and the most certain preventive, for the injurious effects of lead; and he has subsequently spoken in strong terms of the utility of this treatment.[3] But the experience of others does not bear out his conclusions.[4]
Among the many other methods of cure that have been proposed for the primary stage of this disease, salivation by mercury deserves to be particularized. It appears to have been often used with success, the colic yielding as soon as ptyalism sets in.[5] If the case, however, is severe, there is no time to lose in waiting for the action of the mercury to commence.
The treatment in the advanced period of the disease, when palsy is the chief symptom remaining, depends almost entirely on regimen. The patient must for a time at least quit altogether his unlucky trade. He should be allowed the most generous food he can digest. He ought to take frequent gentle exercise in the open air, but never to fatigue. The hands being the most severely injured of the affected parts, and at the same time the most important to the workman, the practitioner's attention should be directed peculiarly to the restoration of their muscular power. This appears to be most easily brought about by frictions, electricity, and regulated exercise, the hands being also supported in the intervals by splints extending from the
- ↑ Traite des Maladies de Plomb, 1839, and Annales d'Hygiène Publique, 1842, xxviii. 232.
- ↑ Trans. of London Coll. of Phys., ii. 83.
- ↑ Transactions Médicales, 1832, or, Annales d'Hygiène, 1841, xxv. 463, and xxvi. 543.
- ↑ Annales d'Hygiène, xxv. 466.
- ↑ Clark, in Edin. Med. Comment, xi. 102. Berger, in Horn's Archiv für Mediz. Erfahrung, xi. 344. London Med. and Phys. Journ. xxvi. 46.
