Of Internal Gangrene in the lungs, stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver. Pulmonick gangrene from inflammation, is predicted by sudden cessation of pain, without any benign crisis: expectoration either suppressed, or yellow, green, black, and fetid; hollow noise in the breast during respiration; dejected countenance; red and heavy eyes; foul and black tongue; quick, languid, and intermittent pulse; fetid urine, stools, and sweat; hiccup; cold sweats; universal debility and sinking of the vital powers. From the preceding symptoms, from those enumerated under general febrile prognosticks, and from the functions peculiar to the different diseased organs, internal gangrene in whatsoever part may be comprehended; and a minute detail would be superfluous.
Diseases of the Lungs and Organs of Respiration,
what extensive ruin do they yet spread! In commenting upon these, I shall, in a trifling degree, invert the prescribed order and arrangement. Into this group are concentrated pulmonick hemorrhage, pulmonary phthisis, the various species of hectick, atrophy and tabes, nervous, sciatick, dorsal, and icterick; also asthma, dyspnœa and cough, catarrh, hooping cough, croup. Inflammation of these organs and spurious peripneumony, have already been described. These, therefore, constitute nearly the whole combined pulmonick host, and likewise some of those diseases closely connected with the pneumonick machinery, or with several of its general morbid symptoms.
Behold here one of the great caravans of dead to the stygian ferry; and tottering myriads crowding to the same shambles. View the innumerable multitude of fable mourners and weeping relations attending them in the last melancholy offices of friendship, to that eternal bourn, the grave! Every introspection of general morbid registers, and the unanimous observations of the medical profession, concord in proclaiming the notoriety of the consumptive throng, and their ruinous uncontroulable domination. Notwithstanding the prodigious improvement in the alphabet, subordinate rudiments, and appendages of the medical science, consumption as yet is one of the great oligarchy of morbid and remorseless tyrants. He would be intitled to every terrestrial honour, and to posthumous apotheosis; he would rival and eclipse the most celebrated tyrannicides, and expurgators of monsters, whether demi-gods, heroes, or saints, who could dethrone or controul this stationary monopolizer of human sacrifices, and sheathe his deadly sword.
From one fifth to one sixth of all the mortality in London, is from consumption; which is nearly double to that even of small pox. But consumption is a term too lax and indefinite. Into this gulph, no doubt, are thrown many febrile and slow hectick emaciations, from infancy to old age, in both sexes; and there are few diseases from acute and chronic sources, especially in their fatal termination, without emaciation. Consumptions and dropsies are the final wreck of a great variety of human maladies. In no two other diseases are, what pathologists term Morbi a Morbis, more apparent: and in multitudes of such cases, morbid dissections often detect the effect, and not the original cause. How many of the genuine pulmonary phthisis are consociated with this miscellaneous crowd, is difficult to guess; but, from the concurrent testimony of physicians, and of experience, we may safely affirm a very large proportion. There are few families in this kingdom whom it has not, one time or other, plunged into tears. Physicians on the continent alledge, that phthisis is more prevalent in Britain than in any other kingdom of Europe.
The next inquiry is, in what age, sex, rank of life, season of the year, and whether in city or country is consumption most predominant? It has been, from the earliest chronology, the universal echo and monotony of medical writers, to mark the principal consumptive age between 18 and 35. But, with submission, I would considerably enlarge its limits, including from birth to 5, and from 20 to 60. No age or stage of life is exempted; but we might “a priori,” and from viewing the great and general scale of mortality, assert, that between 5 and 20, a considerable number cannot possibly be swept away in the phthisical torrent. Nor do we mean to invalidate the general aphorism, that in the blossom and full maturity of vigour and comeliness, phthisis is superlatively deleterious. Between the sexes no distinction seems to be made. I conceive, however, that amongst the lower orders universally, and more especially those penned up in the foul atmosphere of cities, that phthisis is more fatal than amongst those who browse in the pure air of the country. In accommodation, cloathing, noxious trades, &c. the indigent have the disadvantage; and during sickness, from the same causes, their recovery is more desperate. With respect to seasons, winter and autumn in our climate is the most pernicious to pulmonick maladies.
Pulmonary Hemorrhage,
hæmoptysis, sputum sanguinis. The lungs spungy pneumatick and hydraulick organs, in themselves passive; but by the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles enlarging the capacity of the thorax, this ventilator is alternately distended with atmospheric air, and this sonorous fluid again quickly expelled, with either some noxious emanation from the body, or decomposition of its own vital principle. Half the blood of the human body circulates thro’ this organ: its blood-vessels are numerous and large, and rise immediately from the heart; and it is incessantly in motion and agitation. When the body has nearly attained its ultimate extension and altitude, pulmonary hemorrhage is most predominant; more especially in those of narrow thorax, prominent scapulæ, red cheeks, and acute tone of voice. Before the hemorrhage, there are shivering, horror, heat, fever, weight, oppression, pain and heat in the breast, difficulty of breathing, titillation of the fauces, dry cough, exspuition of florid blood in various quantity, and slowly or suddenly, from ounces to many pounds, or even quarts, in a few days; but the latter is rare. It may soon totally cease, or only intermit, and again return at irregular intervals. Relapses are frequent on any irregularity or intemperance; on acceleration of the circulation, or expansion from heat.
This hemorrhage is very seldom in such quantities to prove precipitately fatal, unless mismanaged. From Bleeding, at least in the London registers, there is petty spoliation. Pulmonary hemorrhage is more frequently the consumptive precursor. Malign omens are an eruptive torrent; ulceration in the lungs; fever renewed; pain in the breast; difficulty of breathing; cough, hoarseness; night sweats; peripneumony; visceral obstructions; cachexy; old age; relapses. But pulmonary hemorrhage from temporary obstructions of the menses, or in pregnancy, or periodical, or without load in the thorax, or fever, are much less mischievous.