No. 7.
Latest Communication from Dr. Lewins to the Secretary of the Central Board of Health.
Sir,—The urgency of my present private and public duties prevents me from communicating more to you to-night than the following brief particulars of a case that occurred at the Leith Cholera Hospital yesterday:—
A woman of about forty years of age, was admitted on Sunday evening at 7 o’clock. She was pulseless, even at the axilla, sightlesss, cold, and blue, over almost the whole body. Respiration very slow and irregular—in a word, she was all but lifeless. It was feared she would be dead before the operation of injecting could be commenced. Between 7 at night and 2 o’clock next morning, there were thrown in two hundred and eighty-four ounces, upwards of twenty-three pounds. The report of her situation at 2 on Monday morning, in the hospital book, is as follows:—“A change for the better, that appears almost miraculous, has taken place. The action of the heart is greatly improved; respiration not in the least laborious, but quicker than natural; pulse 120, small, but distinct. She can articulate distinctly; countenance natural; lips red; tongue moist and warm; she perspires freely; heat over the whole body natural.”
A full report of this wonderful case shall be forwarded soon.
I remain, Sir, &c.
ROBERT LEWINS.
P. S.—In one, the pulse had ceased at the wrist eight hours before the injection. Dr. Alison had seen the patient eight hours before the operation, and the pulse was then imperceptible.
Quality Street, Leith, May 29th, 1832, 1 o’clock, A. M.