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An Inquiry How Far Consumption Is Curable, with Observations on the Treatment, and onthe Use of Cod-Liver Oil and Other Remedies by James TurnbullProvincial Medical and Surgical Journal (1844-1852), Vol. 14, No. 19 (Sep. 18, 1850), pp. 518-519Published by: BMJStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25501421 .

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518 REVIEWS.

desirable additions to the hygienic literature of the day. Dr. Nelson's thesis, like all graduation theses, carries with it the evidence of immatu

rity of thought; it is also characterized by the somewhat stilted modes of expression in which

young authors are apt to indulge; but these are imperfections rather than faults, and do not in

any great degree interfere with the benefit which

may be derived from its perusal, especially by those medical readers who have not given their attention to sanitary questions.

Dr. Moore's volume, on the other hand, is written especially for the unprofessional reader, and as such, forms a valuable sequel to his pre vious works, which it will be remembered treat of the mutual reactions of mind and body.

-

Although as a general rule popular exposi tion of medical subjects are open to serious

objections, Dr. Moore's writings may fairly claim

exemption, nothing but good we are assured, can arise from the high moral tone as well as Christian

temper which pervades his compositions. Self aggrandizement, and even the more laudable desire for fanme, is evidently subservient to his love for professional honour and the cause of truth.

The great antagonist power to the spread of scientific views regarding the laws of truth is

quackery, which as Lord Bacon says, has " always

in the opinion of the ignorant mutltiude, held a

competition with physicians;" and our author deserves great praise, therefore, for the unwa

vering manner in which, in all his publications, he has exposed its Protean iniquities. In the present work we have many useful remarks on this subject, which we would willingly quote did our space permit.

In estimating the effects of remedial agents in the cure of disease, the influence of the mind

upon the body must be taken largely into con sideration. There is a constant acting and

reacting of mind upon body and body upon mind. The one cannot suffer without the other imme

diately suffering by sympathy. A fit of indi

gestion or a twinge of gout levels the brightest intellects to the common standard. Grief has been known to blanch the hair in a few hours; and disease on the other hand is occasionally kept at bay by our exertion of a powerful will. Hence the practical physician should ever bear in mind the words of Sir Gilbert Blane :-" That those who conceive the whole art of medicine to consist in wielding the powers of the materia

medica, entertain a narrow and unworthy con

ception of their own duty, and of the dignity of the profession," and he remembers that the diseased shell which he is called upon to mend, has a noble inmate which will not suffer itself to be overlooked.

These truths have not been lost sight of by so

thoughtful a writer as Dr. Moore, and in his

present work we find a chapter on "Mental

Influence," which we specially recommend to the attentive consideration of our readers.

In conclusion, we would express our convic

tion that Dr. Moore's writings, unlike most

popular expositions, are calculated to raise the

profession in the general estimation of the public; while at the same time they give the non-pro fessional reader an admirable as well as very

necessary insight into all that concerns their own

share in the maintenance of health.

An Inquiry how far Consumption is Curable, with

Observations on the Treatment, and on the Use of

Cod-Liver Oil and other Remedies. By JAMES

TURNBULL, M.D. Second Edition. London:

Churchill. 1850.

NOTHING has so stood in the way of the

successful management of pulmonary phthisis, as the almost universal conviction of its utter

incurability, in consequence of which, from the

moment that the disease is distinctly manifest,

the hapless patient is either abandoned to his

fate altogether, or at most amused by a fiddle

faddle treatment, the chief merit of which

consists in its doing no harm. The time has,

however, arrived, when such despairing views

must be abandoned by all who would avoid the

stigma of mere routinism. Pathological anatomy has pronounced, in unmistakeable terms, not

only that pulmonary tubercle is susceptible of

cure, but that cure is not in reality by any means

so rare an event as has been imagined, though it

must be avowed that for this thanks are due to

Nature rather than to the doctor.

The intention of Dr. Turnbull's present pub lication is to enforce the curability of consump tion upon the attention of practitioners, and to

lead them more than they are wont to do to

reflect upon Nature's operations in her cases of

spontaneous recovery, and to build thereon a

more rational system of treatment. Dr. Turnbull

is deserving of our thanks for his timely publica tion, and we sincerely hope he may have the

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BIRMINGHAM PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 519

satisfaction of finding that his exertions have been, in a measure, successful.

The work is divided into five sections, the last of which is devoted to the detail of cases illus trative of the success which often attends well directed therapeutical efforts. The contents of these we shall briefly notice.

In the first, which may be regarded as intro

ductory, after noticing the general belief in the

hopelessness of consumption, and adverting to the importance of a re-study of the question, the

author presents us with an account of the phy sical and chemical characters of tubercle, derived from, and in accordance with, the best records of

generally-received opinions on those points. In the second section we have the reasons for

the belief that the disease is susceptible of cure. The evidence upon which this opinion is founded is arranged by the author under four heads, viz., the evidence derived from pathological anatomy; 2, the evidences derived from symptoms; 3, that derived from physical examinations; and, 4th, the evidence from statistical proofs. On each of these heads the author's remarks are deserving of attentive consideration. The proofs derived from pathological investigation are especially trustworthy, and as they are presented on the

authority of such observers as Louis, Rogee, Valleix, and Dr. Hughes Bennett, cannot fail to command our full reliance.

In the third section Dr. Turnbull notices a feature in the history of phthisis, which has

recently given rise to considerable discussion, more particularly on the Continent, viz., the antagonism of this and other diseases. Here we may be permitted to express our opinion that the author might, with advantage, have been

more diffuse, as the importance of the question is indisputable, and the materials for its eluci

dation abundant. He however confines his notice to the effects of emphysema alone as antagonistic to phthisis, and barely alludes to the interesting researches of Boudin and others, on the influence of ague on the development of tubercle, and those of Trosseau, respecting the mutual exclu sion of tubercle and chlorosis. The latter ob servations may, perhaps, be justly considered as somewhat visionary, but the former have such a semblance of reality, as at least to entitle them to a fuller mention than the author has thought fit to accord to them.

In the fourth section the treatment of phthisis is considered much in the same manner as in our

best treatises on the subject, including the par ticulars of diet, climate, clothing, and medicinal

agents. Among these the author places the great est confidence in mercury, iodine, the alkalies, and cod-liver oil. His experience of the latter confirms the favourable impressions of its value

which are now generally entertained by those who have employed it. Some valuable sugges tions occur in the part of the work on the conditions which render the exhibition of oil beneficial or injurious. Hectic fever does not contraindicate its employment; but if there be

any continuous febrile movement dependent upon some intercurrent inflammation, the author ad vises the moderation of this prior to its exhibition.

Hsemoptysis is, he thinks, sometimes induced by it, and should be regarded as a reason for its

withdrawal. Dr. Benson has drawn attention to the occasional occurrence of pneumonia as a result of the exhibition of cod-liver oil, but as our author does not allude to the subject, we conclude either that he is unaware of the fact, or that he considers it to be too exceptional to merit discussion. The symptom which to him appears

most to interfere with the exhibition of the oil, is colliquative diarrhoea. In such cases we have derived the best effects from the simultaneous exhibition of the persesquinitrate of iron.

The cases which form the concluding section of Dr. Turnbull's volume are well selected, and

give additional encouragement to hope that

properly directed efforts will occasionally acconm

plish the suspension of pulmonary phthisis, even in some very unpromising cases.

In conclusion we have no hesitation in expres sing our cordial approbation of the object for

which the treatise has been projected, as well as of the manner in which it is executed; if the author succeed in breaking through the too prevalent custom of abandoning all hope of suspending or

curing the disease, he will have accomplished much good.

rnrea ting? nf nnretid t. BIRMINGHAM PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

MR. PEMBERTON IN THE CHAIR.

Malignant polypus of the nose: death from asphyxia

during an operation for its relief.

MR. PEMBERTON. gave the following history James Black, aged 5, a strumous-looking yet inter

esting boy, was admitted into the General Hospital,

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