The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 63
Functional Diseases of Women:
Functional Diseases of Women:
"It probable that the more the diseases and functional derangement of animals having a nervous system are investigated, the more they will he found to originate primarily in altered conditions of that system. The following record of cases constitutes a remarkable proof that the circulation of blood in the womb is subject to the controlling influence of the sympathetic nervous systems; that the so-called functional diseases of that viscus are in reality abnormal conditions of the nervous ganglia which control it; and that those diseases are most safely, most easily, and most effectually remedied, by acting, not on the womb itself, not by medicines presumed directly to influence it, but by decreasing or increasing the quantity of blood in those nervous centres by which its bloodvessels are governed.
"The treatment here recorded is only one among countless applications, of which the principle on which it is based, will sooner or later be proved capable. For a brief exposition of that principle, the reader is referred to Section A in the Appendix to this pamphlet."—Preface, p. 1.
page 15Contents of Appendix,
Section A.—A New Method of treating Disease by controlling the Circulation of the Blood in different parts of the Body.
Section B.—Case of Epilepsy, with Defective Vision, Constant Headache, Habitual Constipation, Leucorrhœa, Deficient and Painful Menstruation, cured by means of Ice.
Section C.—Infantile Convulsions, with Congestion of the Brain, cured by means of Ice.
Section D.—Laryngismus Stridulus cured by means of Ice.
Section E.—The Remedial Power of Ice as used in the Treatment of Paralysis and Diabetes.
"This is an interesting monograph by a man of original mind and considerable ability. Dr. Chapman states that by the application of cold to the middle of the spine it is possible to increase the force and frequency of the heart's action, and by heat to diminish it. This opposed to the dicta of Dr. Todd, and other clinical teachers; but Dr. Chapman alleges it as a fact, and challenges experiment. Carrying on his experiments, he erects into a therapeutical system the application of cold and heat to the spine in various parts and for different periods of time, and claims for this treatment a philosophical interpretation and wide practice His brochure requires reading and testing clinically. It is original in its views."—Lancet, Feb. 20,1864.
"Dr. Chapman expresses his belief that many maladies not usually held to depend on nervous agency—such as those in the title (diabetes and constipation)—realty originate in that manner. . . . .The subject deserves the serious attention of the profession, not only from the high character of its originator, but also from the amount of evidence which he has already "brought to bear upon it. He, however, seems to be as yet only at the outset of his, investigations, and promises more detailed information hereafter. In so doing he will confer a great boon on physiology and practical medicine."—Medical Times and Gazette, Jan, 23,1864.
"Under the influence of these remedial measures, Dr. Chapman has succeeded in six related in the Medical Times, in effecting a cure or a marked improvement in epilepsy. This is a suit assuredly deserving of attention, and fresh researches may possibly fecundate this ingenious application of a discovery highly creditable to contemporary physiology."—Journal of Practical Medicine and Surgery, Oct., 1863.
"Herein lies the importance of the discovery:—Given a power by which we can modify, and, when so modified, maintain the circulation in a certain condition, and we have an agency which cannot fail to exert a potent influence on all those structural and functional diseases which arise from deficient or irregular supply of blood . . . . .The whole theory, which is calmly and temporarily stated, is based on sound physiological principles; and in the hands not only of the author, but of others to whom he has submitted his views, it has borne the test of the experiment."—Westminster Review, Jan., 1864.
"Judging of Dr. Chapman's method of treating nervous diseases merely by a record of the cases, should incline to attach great value to his discovery. It seems scarcely open the doubt that confirmed epilepsy, paralysis, and diabetes have all been materially alleviated in very obstinate cases, where other remedies had been tried in vain. We have seen one very remarkable record of the treatment of a case of apparently hopeless paralysis by a medical man who had no personal acquaintance with Dr. Chapman, but who was bent on trying his method, and of its complete success."—Spectator.
"The results, as described in each case, are such as to impress the mind of the most ordinary reader. The pamphlet, as it stands, deserves general and careful attention, inasmuch it claims a discovery which, should time confirm its operation, will be found of the highest value as regards a class of cases many of which have hitherto been considered all but incurable."—Morning Star.
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