Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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)