BMJ

Harlow Carr Spa. A New Mineral WaterAuthor(s): George KennionSource: Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal (1844-1852), Vol. 8, No. 12 (Jun. 19, 1844), pp.176-177Published by: BMJStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25497943 .

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176 NEW MINERAL WATER.

medical profession may be summed up as embody ing the recognition of these leading principles:

Uniform and efficient qualification in every branch of medical science;

Equal right for all so qualified to practise throughout the whole extent of her Majesty's dominions;

The adoption of the representative system in the formation of the Councils or governing bodies.

The recognition of these principles as the basis of any measure for the constitution of the general body is believed to be in accordance with the views of a very large majority of the medical profession and the carrying of them out efficiently would without doubt be most acceptable to a highly intel

ligentand important class of the community, while it would at the same time insure a vast amount of

benefit to the public in general.

The following brief exposition of a Scheme of Medical Reform is submitted, as embracing the chief points advocated in the preceding state..

ment:

MEDICAL BOARDS FOR REGULATING AND ASSIMI

LATING MEDICAL EDUCATION.

A Medical Board to be established in the capital of the three divisions of the kingdom, for regulating medical education and examinations, and licensing and registering all practitioners in medicine.

The license of these Boards to be the only legal qualification to practise medicine in all its branches

throughout the British dominions. The Boards to be constituted in the same man

ner, the only difference being that the London or Central Board should form the medium of commu nication with the Government.

The three Boards might thus be considered as

constituting branches of one "General Board," rather than three separate Boards.

In drawing up the regulations in the first instance, a deputation of Members from the other

Boards would require to meet the London Board, and similar meetings would no doubt be necessary from time to time to propose and discuss any changes respecting education, or other general

medical questions, which might be deemed neces

sary; but such meetings would be of rare occur rence. No regulations would of course be adopted by one Board without the concurrence of the

whole, and the final approval of the Secretary of State.

COLLEGES OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS.

The two Colleges to remain at the head of their

respective departments of the profession. The titles granted by the Colleges to be

honorary, and the connexion with the Colleges

optional, the power of licensing all medical prac titioners being vested in the Medical Boards.

As the amount of education and qualifications of the Licentiates in Medicine throughout the king ,dom would be assimilated by the General Board, some regulations would require to be agreed upon by the Colleges of Physicians and of Surgeons in the three divisions of the kingdom, in order that the distinction conferred by their titles might leave

equal weight with the profession and the public; and that a fellow of one college might claim admis sion into any other on changing his residence.

By the proposed scheme of Medical Reform, the

profession would remain as it is at present, wthb this difference, that each department would be

greatly raised in character. By requiring a respect able preliminary and medical education of the Licentiates in Medicine, the public would be

supplied with a class of well-qualified medical

practitioners, and from this body a large proportion would go up to the higher institutions without any stimulus beyond the honour of the title and the distinction it would confer.

CHARLES HASTINGS, M.D., President of the Council of the Association.

ROBERT J. N. STREETEN, M.D., Secretary to the Association.

HARLOW CARR SPA.-A NEW MINERAL WATER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND

SURGICAL JOURNAL.

SIR, I beg leave, through the medium of your publication,

to make known to the profession a water which has

been recently analysed and brought into public notice

in this vicinity. This water, which, from its situation, in a picturesque

hollow, at the foot of Harlow Hill, about half a mile

from Harrogate, is known by the name of the

"Harlow Carr Spa," differs widely from the well

known sulphuretted springs of this place, both in its

composition and in its therapeutic effects.

The quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen which it

contains is much less than in the "Old well;" this gas not being present in larger proportions than 3-15 cubic

inches in the gallon, while the water of the old well

contains 15-6 cubic inches; but on the other hand, the quantity of saline impregnation is beyond com

parision less, the whole amount of salts in the Harlow

Carr water not exceeding 38 grains in the gallon, of

which 17 grains are carbonate of soda, while the old well

contains 1047 grains of salts, of which 872 grains con

sist of muriate of soda, a salt which is totally absent

in the former. It is this absence of muriate of

soda, and the greatly diminished aggregate amount of

salts, which renders the Harlow Carr water so valuable

an addition to the spas with which Harrogate is

already enriched. I have given it an extensive trial

within the last three months, both in hospital and

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DISCOLOURATION OF THE GUMS PROM NITRATE OF SILVER. 177

private practice, in cases, where from analogy or

experience, I have found the old sulphur water to dis

agree. It is well known to those who are in the habit of prescribing these waters, that there are many

cases, especially of cutaneous disease, where, from the inflamed condition of the skin, or the irritable state of the mucous membrane, (the two being often consistent as cause and.effect,) the sulphur waters cannot be ad ministered with benefit, onaccountof the large quantity of muriate of soda which they contain. It is in such cases that we have a valuable remedy in the Harlow Carr Water, which allows of our giving the sulphuretted hydrogen without fear of its beneficial effects being thwarted by the irritating salt. I will not trespass upon your space by reciting cases, as the analysis of the water is sufficient to prove its value; but I may briefly mention one as an example.

A lady, aged 35, came to Harrogate on the 3rd of

May; the skin was very extensively covered with lepra in different stages. From this complaint she had suf fered for nearly three years. It was closely connected

with a highly irritable condition of the mucous mem brane of the bowels; so much so was this the case, that for years she had not been able to take half a tea

spoonful of castor oil, or the smallest quantity of any. aperient, without its producing most violent action of the bowels. The slightest fatigue,, or even any mental excitement, had the same effect. Her tongue was divided into two distinct portions-one half being very thickly furred and white; and the other half, red,

smooth, and glazed. This was a case where the sulphur waters would not have agreed, but on the contrary, would have increased the internal and external irri tion tenfold. I therefore desired my patient to com

mence immediately with the Harlow Carr Spa, which she has taken since her arrival. The effect of this has been to extend gradually the healthy condition of the mucous membrane; the bowels act twice each morning, the motions being formed and healthy; the tongue has

'become uniform in its appearance, and perfectly clean; and the cutaneous eruption is rapidly subsiding. I could mention many other cases of a similar descrip tiot, where the use of this water had proved of great service.

There is another class of cases in which I believe that this water will be found beneficial, viz.-where there is a tendency to gravelly deposit in the kidney. I have only tried it in three cases: one was cured, and the remaining two are at present under treatment; but both are improving.

I need hardly add that this water cannot be consi dered as in the slightest degree supplanting the use of the old sulphurous waters in this place, as in cases

where the latter would be beneficial, the former would be inert; it can only be considered as an addition, but a most valuable one, to the remedial means which we have already in our hands.

I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant,

GEORGE KENNION, MD.

Harrogate, June 15, 1844.

BLUE DISCOLOURATION OF THE GUMS FROM NITRATE OF SILVER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND

SURGICAL JOURNAL.

SIR, The occurrence of a blue line running along the edges

of the gums was first pointed out by Dr. Burton, as pa

thognomonic of the presence of lead in the system. In

several cases of epilepsy, two being at present under

treatment, and for the relief of which nitrate of silver

in small doses has been prescribed for some weeks,

(one grain three times in the day being the maximum

dose,) I have observed a blue line on the edges of the

gums close to the teeth, and not to be distinguished from that produced by the action of lead. I am far,

however, from saying that the value of the blue line as

a diagnostic of lead diseases is much diminished by the

occurrence of a similar line after the administration of

the nitrate of silver, inasmuch as the latter substance

rarely finds its way into the system unless introduced

medicinally. The fear of discolouration of the skin

and the uncertainty of the time at which that disco

louration takes place, have deterred many practitioners from giving a fair trial to the nitrate of silver in epilepsy; and I regard the first faint appearance of the blue line

as a valuable proof of the action of the medicine, and

the depth of colour of the line as affording a very useful warning, that the limit is reached beyond which

it is unsafe to proceed. I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant, FERGUSON BRANSON, M.D.

Physician to the Sheffield General Infirmary.

Sheffield, June 15, 1844.

A NEW METHOD OF MAKING PRESSURE IN

UTERINE HAEMORRHAGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND

SURGICAL JOURNAL.

SIR,

The insidious onset and appalling character of internal uterine hemorrhage have been ably delineated

by Dr. Toogood, in a late number of your Journal. The subject, I believe, was little understood in former

days, for I remember, some thirty years ago, attending a Professor, who used to address his class in these words:-" Gentlemen, after the expulsion of the

placenta, you will do right to place your hand in the

abdomen, and if you find the uterus contracted to the size of your fist, you may feel assured all danger of

haemorrhage is passed, and you have only to wash your hands and be thankful." Experience however.has

proved the fallacy of this opinion; and I can look back upon many cases in which the uterus expanded again from internal haemorrhage, after it had been once firmly contracted.

The point however to which I wish to call atten

tion, is the mode of applying pressure. I fully agree with Dr. Toogood, that the hand is the only effectual means of compressing the uterus. I never yet saw a

bandage which was not difficult in its application, and inefficient in its pressure. But the muscles of the

arm will tire, and I have often suffered considerable

pain from making continued pressure, at the same

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