In most of these abodes of suffering, the sisters of charity exercise the kind office of superintending nurses, in which capacity, however, their humanity leads them to perform various active duties. It is quite delightful to witness the benevolence of their disposition, and the tender manner in which they pay their attentions to those under their pious care. How happily is the influence of religion here displayed, which can thus temper the mind to forego the pleasures of society, and even the common enjoyments of life, for a retirement, in which every hour and almost every moment, each thought and action, become a homage to the Creator, in the alleviation of human suffering!
There is an establishment in Paris which contributes exceedingly to the comfort and convenience of that class of persons who wish to avoid a hospital, but whose means are too limited to afford all the private aids which sickness requires[4]. I quote the following account of it from Galignani’s Guide to Paris.
“MAISON ROYALE DE SANTÉ.
“This house was opened in 1802 by the Administration des Hôpitaux et des Hospices, for the reception of invalids in middling circumstances, who pay a daily sum according to the accommodation they receive, as follows, viz. In rooms containing twelve or fourteen beds, two francs fifty cents; in those with two or three beds, three francs fifty cents. A room for a woman, five francs. A room for a man, six francs. In this charge, every thing, even vapour baths, mineral waters, &c. is included.”
That a material difference exists between the French and English practice of medicine, is universally known; and the compliment of superiority is seldom allowed to the former. Improvement, however, in the art of medicine, which the successful cultivation of chemistry and of morbid anatomy has so largely introduced in the last twenty years, is not confined to ourselves. The professors of chemistry at Paris receive their appointments and their conveniences from the government. That valuable commodity, time, is much at their command, because they confine their pursuits more than most of those who are engaged in teaching chemistry in London. The facility of procuring, at Paris, the examination of dead bodies is such as to favour the study of morbid anatomy most completely.
The general objection amongst the French to the use of calomel prevails almost as strongly as at former periods; and certainly amounts to a prejudice. I learnt, on good authority, at Paris, that this medicine is usually found to act in a peculiar manner on the constitution of the French patient; as it commonly produces irritation in the intestinal canal to a degree that causes extreme discomfort. I need not relate with what freedom and satisfaction the English make use of this active medicine.
I apprehend that the difference of operation is to be ascribed chiefly to the respective nature of the diet in the two countries. The remark applies most particularly to the free use of light wines, amongst the French. The vin ordinaire must produce very different effects from the English malt liquor; or the use of plain or soda water, in conjunction with wines of more sound quality. Indeed the difference of regimen appears to me a sufficient explanation. I may here remark how very materially the action of mercurial medicine on the bowels is controuled by suitable preparation of the patient with mild mucilaginous drinks. If, on the contrary, the stomach and intestinal canal be charged with acescent liquor, vinous, or of any other kind, acescent food, and fresh fruits, irritation and disorder, more or less painful, may be expected as almost a certain consequence.
If the French employ calomel or other preparations of mercury too little, we doubtless run into the opposite error, of using them too much. It calls for the gravest censure, that, in almost every nursery, calomel should still be administered by the parent to young children and even infants, with as little consideration as if it were a simple domestic medicine. I am convinced that the infantile constitution is frequently most sensibly injured by so erroneous a practice, and that the scrophulous disposition, which might otherwise be dormant, is thus called into action at an early period of life. I think it ought to be an established rule, that mercurial medicine should not be administered to young children without the sanction of medical authority.
I wish, however, to be understood, that in speaking of the employment of calomel generally, I censure its abuse only. The proper use of it deserves our confidence and best regard; and I think that the French physician labours under great disadvantage in not having a just practical acquaintance with the virtues of this excellent medicine, which, as a remedy in various kinds of active disease, is without a rival.
Chiefly on the principle of avoiding the frequent use of internal medicine, it is a custom universal among the French to assist the bowels by lavement; which, under circumstances of disease, is variously medicated, but otherwise consists merely of water or gruel.