A Lecture On Dropsy - Softcover

George Gregory

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0371373298 ISBN 13: 9780371373293

Publisher: HardPress, 2019

Synopsis

"A Lecture On Dropsy" by George Gregory. This 1819 medical lecture examines the constitutional affections of the body without fever, focusing on dropsy (edema). Gregory critiques earlier authorities from Hippocrates to Cullen, arguing for a more modern pathology and presenting dropsy as a disease of the circulating system, with two broad classifications: local dropsies (including chronic hydrocephalus, hydrocele, and ovarian dropsy) and general dropsy. General dropsy is usually described in forms such as ascites, anasarca, hydrothorax, and hydropericardium, which may occur separately or together. He discusses diagnostic signs, noting that anasarca pits on pressure and ascites shows abdominal fluctuation, while hydrothorax is more elusive. The pathology is traced through thoracic and abdominal morbid appearances, with abdominal disease being more common. Gregory proposes a twofold pathogenesis—arterial and venous dropsy—emphasizing that the exhalants are passive and effusion depends on arterial action and venous return. He advocates bleeding for arterial dropsy, and discusses digitalis, purgatives, elaterium, colchicum, mercury, tonics, and diuretics, while stressing prevention. The Postscript acknowledges later observations by Abercromby and others.

Edition details

• Publisher: HardPress
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0371373298
• ISBN 13: 9780371373293
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 60