Download Medications - Plymouth Medical Society Historic Collection

The aim of this resource is to find medical texts that have references to both
medications – both illicit substances and chemicals, including poisons and venom.
The reason for this is that many of the old medications are now substances we have
found to be harmful to the body, including venoms. Society was not as clear cut
about illicit substances as it is today, making it interesting to consider what was used.
This resource is useful for most ages, but individuals with some medical background
would be the most appropriate to understand the texts due to medical terminology.
Mead, Richard. A mechanical account of poisons in several essays.
PHC023
This book is a description about the poisons extracted from a viper, scorpion,
tarantula and a mad dog. The book is split into 4 sections, one about each of the
above. It describes the poison as a chemical including lethal doses, the areas of the
creature which excrete the poison, and some aspects of chemical composition. There
are also areas on anatomy of each creature and where the poison is produced.
Each section provides a list of symptoms a person may experience and ways of
delaying or treating it if available. Lastly, the author documents live accounts of
animals receiving certain poisons and after describing their symptoms he performs
an autopsy on the animal. I have indexed this book in more detail than the others
because of the continued, anecdotal accounts of these poisons.
Essay1: The Viper
This essay is an analysis performed by Richard Mead into the viper, its venom and
the qualities they both possess. Below are a list of specific references within the
essay.
P17 – Venom Biblical reference, Egyptian reference
P18 – A reference to snake’s being holy
P21 – Description of the viper’s bite
P22 – Describes venom quantity
P23 –The secretions of a viper’s stomach
P25 – The process of venom extraction, the dose of execution (1 drop)
P26 – Chemical nature of the venom
P28 – Composition of human blood
P31-32 – Method of poison entry and spread
P34 – Symptoms of the venom – convulsions, vomiting, nausea, trembling, death
P39 – Sucking out the venom and treating the bite
P44 – Method of delaying the poison
P48 – Viper flesh
Poisonous Animals
P64 – Describes the venom of other creatures
P67 – Scorpion overview
P68 – Increased potency of scorpion venom when it is starved or stressed
P70 – Bee sting description
Essay 2: The Mad Dog and Tarantula
P71-74 – Tarantula eggs and anatomy overview, behaviour, symptoms of the venom
P80 – Comparison of tarantula and viper
P83-84 – Autopsy of a rabbit killed by the tarantula venom
P93 – Mad Dog (Rabies infected dog), patient description
P94 – Inability of patient to be near liquids
P99 – Debates composition of animal fluid
P104 – Organ description
P105 – An approach to treating the infected bite: Use a hot iron the area following
wide incision around the bite and drawing medicines
P108 – Antidote to prevent hydrophobia (a symptom of rabies)
P114-115 – The consequence of failing to treat
Essay 3: Plants
P117 – Potential benefit of some creatures
P118 – Mercury Sublimate Creatures
P119 – Mercury and the autopsy of a dog and man killed by it
P128 – The varieties of arsenic
P135 – Poisonous plant: O’Enanthe Cicule facie sucso viroso (unable to find the
modern name of this plant)
P136 – Symptoms
P137 – Test of a dog
Essay 4: Opium
P143 – Calls Narcotics “noble remedies of the world”
P144 – Opium “so celebrated a drug”
P146 – Describes its sedation effect
P148-149 – The effect of opium on the brain and nerves, the body, its use
P150 – The description of the effect of opium
P151 – Chemical composition of opium
P154 – Cultural reference to opium, compares it to drunkenness
P156 – Questions the development of opium resistance
P157 – Tests opium on a dog until it overdoses and dies
P158 – Performs an autopsy on the dog
Essay 5: Earth Poisons
P160 – Poisonous fumes and vapours
P162-164 – Testing on living creatures
P171 – Change of fevers
P174-175 – Describes the chemical composition of natural substances
Back of book: Illustrations of the various animal venom organs
Griffiths, Moses. Fevers. PHC018
A book written to advise how to deal with fevers. Possible treatments range from
combination medicines, particular substances and also physical remedies such as
baths.
P11 – Paregoric elixir for fever
P16 – Opiate use with no resolution of fever
P37 – Draught of magnesia alba and tincture of rhubarb
P54 – Recovery using a warm bath
P135 – The use of opium for a chronic cough
Parkes, E. A. Remarks on the dysentery and hepatitis of India.
PHC241
A useful source of information in 1846 when it was written, as the British had a strong
presence in India at the time. Dysentery and hepatitis are diseases which are not
native to Britain would possibly mean the British soldiers were more susceptible to
these illnesses.
P140 – Treating dysentery using bleedings and opium
P142 – Opium
P146 – Combining ipecacuantia with opium to increase the effects. Injecting of lead
P148 – Recommended early use
Tuke, William;Charcot, J. M. Lectures on Senile and Chronic
Dieases. PHC296
A collection of lecture notes on diseases. Most of the literature is on a variety of
conditions, though the referenced pages below do have some mention of substances
used to treat them.
P212-213 – Colchicum use, its action and dangers
P214 – Opium and quinine care in pregnancy, the use of narcotics in gout
P219 – Treating gout using sulphurous salve, ferruginous waters and brandy for
irregular gout
Graves, Robert J.; Neligan; Trousseau, A. Clinical lectures on the
practice of medicine: Vol. II. 2nd ed. PHC144/5
A collection of lecture notes more focused on clinical medicine and signs that might
be seen in practice.
P540 – Mercury poisoning in syphilis
Buchan, William. Domestic medicine: Or, a treatise on the
prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines:
with observations concerning sea-bathing and on the use of the
mineral. PHC085
A guide written with a different agenda in mind, with it being more orientated to using
more easily attainable substances in the home. It also has references to poisons that
can be acquired, all possible causes of the time period. The list does not vary greatly
from that of Richard Mead’s “A mechanical account of poisons in several essays,”
written over 100 years earlier.
P472 – A description of poisons including mineral, vegetable, mad dog, viper,
poisonous insects and a rattle snake
Lallemand, M.;McDougall, Henry J. A practical treatise on the
causes, symptoms, and treatment of spermatorrhoea. PHC197
A piece of literature used to try and address the various aspects surrounding
spermatorrhoea, which was considered a problem in the past.
P197 – The use of narcotics causing spermatorrhoea
An inquiry into the mercurial disease. PHC118
An overview of using mercury, which was more commonly used in the past for
treating conditions. It has more recently been discovered to be quite toxic, and its use
is now carefully monitored.
P1-129 – The dangers of Mercury for the treatment of venereal disease
Beaumont, George Ernest. Applied Medicine. PHC316
A more modern appearing piece of literature which also has an index at the back of
the book. Well divided into various sections with regards to the topics covered
P97 – Gold poisoning
P201 – Alcohol poisoning
P209 – Nitrophenol poisoning
P363 – Viper venom to treat bleeding gums
P454 – Quinine poisoning
P457 – Lead poisoning
P509 – Aspirin poisoning
Garrod, Archibald E.; Naunyn, B. A treatise on Cholelithiasis.
PHC135
A book focused on gallstones and their various complications. Possible treatments
are suggested, including a variety of substances which are listed below.
P178 – Morphina relief for gall bladder attacks
P179 – “Unquestionable effectiveness of narcotics”
P180 – Quinine as an antipyretic
P240 – Opium for diarrhoea
Sternberg, Maximilian; Atkinson, F. R. B. Acromegaly. PHC274
An overview regarding acromegaly, a little understood condition of the time. The
book has mentions of possible causes of acromegaly and mentions of individuals
suffering with the condition. Among the management options are some chemicals
they believed would help manage some of the side effects of acromegaly. The iodine
for the eye disease is not unreasonable if a low iodine is the cause of it, though it
would be administered in a different form.
P95 – Poisoning immediately preceded acromegaly
P118 – Potassium Iodide for eye disease of acromegaly. Antineuralgics – antipyrin,
antifebrin, exalgine, phenacetin
P119 – Atropine to control perspiration
Koch, Robert; Cheyne, W. Watson. Investigations into the etiology
of traumatic infective diseases. PHC194
A book examining causes of infectious diseases. It was unique among this list of
literature as it was the only one that made reference to bacteria or other pathogens
as potential causes of disease.
P2 – Glycerine, acetic acid, caustic soda used on micrococci
P23 – Staining with analine dyes for bacteria (risk factor for bladder cancer)
P33-56 – Various tests of conditions on animals
Stanley, Edward. A treatise on disease of the bones. PHC272
A guide for managing numerous bone problems including bone inflammation,
infections and breaks. The management has numerous references to substances
used to manage these problems.
P14 – Potassium Iodide for inflammation of the periosteum
P23 – Potassium Iodide for rheumatic fever associated bone pain
P29 – Calomel and Opium for pain
P45 – Mercury to local area to decrease inflammation. Also the use of Sarsaparilla
P64 – “Astringents and mild stimulants are serviceable for the object of promoting the
growth of healthy granulations from the bone”
P119 – Softened bone to exfoliate with a mineral acid e.g. nitric acid
P156 – Exostosis by Potassium Iodide and Mercury
P323-324 – Mercury used to treat paraplegia
Russell, Alfred. E. Selected essays on syphilis and small-pox:
translations and reprints from various sources. PHC337
The main area of interest from this source of literature are the effects of small pox on
humans. The resource has temperature charts, associated infections, symptoms and
a series of cases.
Yealland, Lewis R. Hysterical Disorders of Warfare. PHC351
The book describes case studies from World War I. The soldiers came back with
psychiatric illnesses presenting as physical problems (now known as conversion
disorder). Electricity was used to overcome them. Though electricity does not strictly
come under my topic, it is dangerous and rarely used in medical treatment today
Mutism
P9 – shocked a man using a pharyngeal electrode until a previous level of speaking
returned
P18 – electrical current over larynx to encourage speaking in mutism
Hearing Loss
P33, 38-50 – Electrical current applied to the ear
Vision Loss
P53 – A man received electrical shocks to the cervicodorsal region until he was able
to read again
P59 – Pressure placed upon the eye to restore sight
P62-69 – Electrical current to improve treatment
Monoplegia
P75 – The use of a roller electrode to treat the patient
P79 – Electrical stimulation used to treat monoplegia of the patient
P115 – Hysterical monoplegia management
P134 – Strong electrical current passed using an electrical pad
P151 – Overcame problem with positive reinforcement
P153 – Right hemiplegia treated with electrical current
Marie, Pierre. Lectures on Diseases of the Spinal Cord. PHC091
A collection of lecture notes on diseases of the spinal cord. A particular area of
interest is the mention of Friedrich’s disease on p393, where even at this early date
they were questioning a potential family inheritance. This condition is now known to
be inherited in a genetic manner.
P153 – Alkaloid for insular sclerosis. Iodine (bound with either sodium or potassium)
used recommended, though, mercury said to be the best on the spinal cord
P318 – Antipyrin, antifebrin, salicylate and morphine use
P319 – Lightning shooting pains treated using chloroform
P393 – The use of electricity and antipyrin in the treatment of Friedrich’s disease
P446 – Quinine and iodine used in managing a fever in infantile paralysis
Definition List – by book and reference. Some definitions are from an online
dictionary as their explanation is superior, and as such they will be referenced.
Mead, Richard. A mechanical account of poisons in several essays. PHC023
Essay 1
Convulsions – contortion of the body caused by violent, involuntary muscular
contractions of the extremities, trunk, and headi
Vomiting – the act of ejecting the contents of the stomach via the mouth
Nausea – a feeling of being unwell in the stomach, often accompanied by a loathing
of food
Trembling – involuntary shaking
Essay 2
Hydrophobia – the irrational fear of water
Essay 3
Sublimate - to refine or purifyii
Essay 4
Narcotics – any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine,
belladonna, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma,
that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in
medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.iii
Composition – what a substance is made of
Griffiths, Moses. Fevers. PHC018
Paregoric - a combination of opium, benzoic acid, anise oil, and other substances
used mainly to stop diarrhea in childreniv
Elixir - a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water containing, or used as a
vehicle for, medicinal substances.v
Draught of magnesia alba – a liquid version of a magnesium carbonate salt. May
have been used a laxative (to stimulate the bowels to pass faeces)
Tincture – a solution with an alcohol base
Parkes, E. A. Remarks on the dysentery and hepatitis of India. PHC241
Dysentery – an inflammatory illness of the intestine that can be caused by an
infective agent, but also chemicals. It is characterised by heavy diarrhoea, often with
mucous or blood in the stool
Hepatitis – refers to the inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by an
infection, diet, alcohol or an autoimmune process.
Ipecacuantia – a plant
Tuke, William;Charcot, J. M. Lectures on Senile and Chronic Dieases. PHC296
Colchicum – a species of plant from which the substance colchicine, an alkaloid
substance which has long been used to treat inflammations, particularly in gout.
Alkaloid – a nitrogen based chemical compound
Quinine – a substance used medically to control and lower fevers, and also to
provide protection against the malaria parasite
Gout – a condition caused by the collection of uric acid crystals in the joints. Acutely
painful, it is often treated now with anti-inflammatory medication.
Salve – medical ointment
Ferruginous – refers to iron or iron oxide containing substances
Graves, Robert J.; Neligan; Trousseau, A. Clinical lectures on the practice of
medicine: Vol. II. 2nd ed. PHC144/5
Mercury – a chemical of the periodic table. A liquid metal at room temperature. Used
to make patients vomit
Syphilis – a traditional and well documented sexually transmitted disease. Known as
one of the great mimickers of medicine
Lallemand, M.;McDougall, Henry J. A practical treatise on the causes,
symptoms, and treatment of spermatorrhoea. PHC197
Spermatorrhoea – ejaculating during sleep, known as a “wet dream”
An inquiry into the mercurial disease. PHC118
Venereal disease – sexually transmitted infection
Beaumont, George Ernest. Applied Medicine. PHC316
Nitrophenol – a poisonous, chemical substance used in industry
Garrod, Archibald E.; Naunyn, B. A treatise on Cholelithiasis. PHC135
Cholelithiasis – stones that form in the gallbladder. They are typically made of
cholesterol or bilirubin.
Morphina – morphine
Antipyretic – a substance used to lower fevers
Sternberg, Maximilian; Atkinson, F. R. B. Acromegaly. PHC274
Acromegaly – a condition characterised by excess growth hormone in the system,
usually from a pituitary tumour. Features include large hands, feet and a large jaw.
Antineuralgic – agent that is used to relieve nerve pain (old medical terminology)
Antipyrin – phenazone, an agent used to lower fever (rarely used now)
Exalgine – substance derived of acetalinid. Used in the past to lower fever (very
rarely used now).vi
Phenacetin – old analgesic now no longer used
Atropine – alkaloid extracted from plants used to increase the heart rate. Used in
heart attacks
Alkaloid – a nitrogen based chemical compound
Persperation – sweating
Koch, Robert; Cheyne, W. Watson. Investigations into the etiology of traumatic
infective diseases. PHC194
Glycerine – fat used as a medium to hold other chemicals
Micrococci – gram positive spherical bacterium
Analine dye – a chemical dye with a high association with developing cancer of the
bladder
Stanley, Edward. A treatise on disease of the bones. PHC272
Periosteum – the outer most layer of the bone. Highly innervated and very sensitive
to pain.
Rheumatic fever – a disease of the heart caused by group A streptococcal bacteria
Calomel – mercury chloride. Mercury is a chemical of the periodic table. A liquid
metal at room temperature. Used to make patients vomit
Sarsaparilla – a vine used in drinks for flavour and thought to have medical
properties
Astringent – a chemical used to constrict body tissues
Stimulant – a substance used to increase bowel motility to aid the passing of faeces
Exfoliate – the aim of removing dead cells from the surface
Exostosis – formation of new bone
Paraplegia – motor and sensory impairment of the limbs
Russell, Alfred. E. Selected essays on syphilis and small-pox : translations and
reprints from various sources. PHC337
Small Pox – a dangerous infection which has been cleared from the world
Yealland, Lewis R. Hysterical Disorders of Warfare. PHC351
Mutism – a speech problem usually making a person unable to speak
Pharyngeal – referring to the pharynx, the area at the back of the mouth
Larynx – the area below the pharynx, where the wind pipe and connection to the
stomach separate off
Monoplegia – paralysis of one limb
Hemiplegia – loss of function through paralysis of half of the body
Marie, Pierre. Lectures on Diseases of the Spinal Cord. PHC091
Insular Sclerosis – what Multiple Sclerosis was previously known as. Multiple
sclerosis is a disease of the white matter of the brain, causing a loss of myelin in the
affected regions resulting in a gradual, debilitating loss of function for patients.
Alkaloid – a nitrogen based chemical compound
Antipyrin – phenazone, an agent used to lower fever (rarely used now)
Antifebrin – a aniline derivative used to lower fevers. No longer used due to toxic side
effects
Friedrich’s disease – An inherited ataxia. Accounts for 50% of inherited ataxia’s in
humans.
Ataxia – the gross lack of co-ordination between different muscle groups. Often
visible when someone walks. Associated with damage to the cerebellum.
Quinine – a substance used medically to control and lower fevers, and also to
provide protection against the malaria parasite
i
Convulsions. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/convulsions (accessed: January 23, 2010).
ii Sublimate. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sublimate (accessed: January 23, 2010)
iii Narcotic. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/narcotic (accessed: January 23, 2010)
iv Paregoric. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/paregoric (accessed: January 23, 2010)
v Elixir. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/elixir (accessed: January 23, 2010)
vi Definition of Exalgine. http://chestofbooks.com/health/materia-medica-drugs/PharmacologyTherapeutics/Exalgine.html (accessed: January 23, 2010)