Citation

Dubois HA. Chicago medical examiner 1868; 9(2): 97-100.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1868)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

37471737

PMCID

PMC10004869

Abstract

As the following case presents several points of interest, I transmit it with but few comments: December 28, 1866, feeling indisposed, I ordered for myself; Sulph. quin., grs. v.; ext. coloc. do., grs. x.; pil. mass, hyd., v., M. Ft. pil. No. iv. I received the four pills, two of which I at once took, and soon after retired (about eleven A.M.) I slept but little, but was not very restive, and did not observe anything peculiar in my sensations until near eight A.M. the following morning when on putting my foot on the floor, I came near loosing my balance and staggared some distance across the room, unable to support myself steadily, or regulate the movements of my legs. Dress ing with much difficulty, I managed to reach the surgery, where, seating myself, I commenced prescribing for the sick. I now, for the first time, found that I was unable to read the names on the sick report, the page appearing perfectly blank. Up to this time I had not been able to control my thoughts. On rising, I remember that I had a faint idea that something was wrong, but was unable to say what; the acts in putting on my clothes were performed nearly involuntarily, the prominent idea being the necessity I was under of being punctually at my post at sick call. Not seeing any names on the sick report, I asked the steward the reason, and then discovered that I could not control the movements of my tongue. I managed, however, to make myself understood, and was informed that the names were there. I remember that then, by a strong impulse, I collected my thoughts to endeavor to ascertain the cause of my disability. The first thought which presented itself was that I was drunk, but this I rejected, as I could not remember having drunk any intoxicating liquor the preceding day. Next, I ran over my actions the evening before, and I recalled the two pills I had taken, recollected their composition with difficulty, and the thought then struck me that as the extract of colocynth and extract of belladonna were both put up in pots much alike, one had been mistaken for the other. I remember that I recalled the amount I had probably taken, and determined that I would prescribe for the sick, if I could neither see, speak distinctly, nor stand steadily, before I retired to my room. I ordered the steward to call the names out, and when the first man came up I could see his outline, but could not recognize his features. I, however, remembered his name and what should be the matter with him, and having his last prescription read out, I continued it, afraid to trust myself in prescribing. In this way, with few changes, and then careful to use the simplest of medicines, I saw, or rather did not see, some thirty sick, for each of whom I prescribed, or continued his former prescription...

Language: en