Conspectus medicinae theoreticae : a view of the theory of medicine ; in two parts: Part I. Containing physiology and pathology. Part II. Containing therapeutics / a new ed., carefully rev. throughout. Translated from the original Latin.

  • Gregory, James, 1753-1821.
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Conspectus medicinae theoreticae : a view of the theory of medicine ; in two parts: Part I. Containing physiology and pathology. Part II. Containing therapeutics / a new ed., carefully rev. throughout. Translated from the original Latin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    clear by what means carbonic acid, beingp thus received into the body, and still retaininjj its original properties, should pass through so many channels, and particularly through the lungs, and at last reach the bladder ; and while, at the same time, it is evident, from experiments, that neither pure carbonic acid, nor water saturated with it, have the smallest effect without the body, in dissolving those human calculi which do not con- sist either of lime or magnesia. Water, however, saturated with carbonic acid, and those effervescing draughts taken large- ly, the latter by their gentle stimulus, the former by copious dilution, may excite a flow of urine, w'ash the kidneys and blad- der, and expel sand and calculi. Besides, carbonic acid may also be of advantage to calculous patients in some other ways, (1659.) by strengthening the system, particularly the stomach, and thus improving digestion. Some experiments have also been pub- blished, which shew, that the salt which consists of ammonia and acetous acid dissolves some calculi, at least without the body. 1664;. Of late, also, physicians have endeavoured to give cal- culous patients carbonic acid and alkali at once in a different mode ; by mixing the former so copiously with the latter, that it should not only render the alkali mild, but by its acid nature, which is sufficiently evident, form, as it \ ere, a neutral or me- dial salt with it. For in this way, both the alkali and carbonic acid are very conveniently taken in sufficient quantity, diluted with abundance of water, remaining more easy on the stomach, less injurious to the system, and, what is of no slight moment, less disgusting to the patient than in any other form. Some affirm that this remedy, which is called Solution of the Super- carbonate of Soda, has been exceedingly beneficial in certain cases of calculi both in the kidneys and bladder. We may also expect an equal benefit from the carbonate of potass, (of the London Pharmacopoeia,) which some call super-carbonate of potass, though not much diluted. Many physicians are of opi- nion, that magnesia, a safe and very mild medicine, w'hen taken in large doses and long continued, is no less effectual in calculi of the kidneys and bladder, than the most active and celebrated alkalines. 1665. Lastly, it is the opinion of some, that certain other acid and neutral salts, which dissolve calculi without the body,