The Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Journal PDF Download

Excerpt from The Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Journal, 1883, Vol. 3: A Monthly Journal Devoted to Medicine and General Science Had it been that Mr. Lister or his followers had fallen below the former operators in the per cent. Of recoveries, then there would have been a strong argument against the use of antiseptics, but this cannot be claimed. Although Mr. Tait forswears allegiance to antiseptics a mere glance at what he attributes as his points of success show clearly that he is not entirely from under the influence of Listerism. This thorough cleansing of the peritoneum; the drainage; hos pital discipline and hygiene as well as the dry absorbent cotton wool would indicate only a modified condition of Listerism. Mir. Tait was exceedingly unfortunate in his principle argu ment against Listerism. He urged that the constant changes and desire to improve or to modify the antiseptic, plan afforded a strong argument against its value. Upon the other hand this is one of its surest proofs. Lister has never announced a finality on carbolic acid, but like all others has sought to improve upon his methods. To improve a principle is not to abandon it, and in this connection I must say that after using the different agents, thymol, eucalyptus, boracic acid, boro-glyceride and iodoform, I am compelled to fall back upon carbolic acid as the best and most efficient in the most of cases. There is at least one honor due to Listerism if no more namely, it has raised the per cent. Of recoveries and has put its opponents to work in the abandonment of carelessness. All other methods have been tried and found wanting. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.