On Some of the More Important Diseases of the Army
With Contributions to Pathology

This 1862 publication describes the problem of fatalities caused by disease among British troops serving abroad during the nineteenth century.

John Davy (Author)

9781108037655, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2011

456 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.58 kg

Born in Cornwall, John Davy (1790–1868) physiologist and anatomist, and the younger brother of the distinguished chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778–1829), was one of the most prolific medical experts of his day. After taking a medical degree from Edinburgh in 1814 he became an army surgeon. He later became a hospital inspector and spent time living in overseas territories including India, Sri Lanka, and Barbados. First published in 1862, Davy's book discusses the prominence of fever, dysentery, cholera, liver disease, pneumonia, and other diseases common to the army, estimating that 45% of deaths in the British army serving abroad were caused by disease rather than by conflict. Davy also records his observations on putrefaction of bodies, particularly the vital organs, emphasising the need to determine the normal condition of human organs so that abnormal, diseased organs can be easily identified.

Preface
Introduction
1. On fevers
2. On dysentery
3. On cholera morbus
4. On diseases of the liver
5. On pulmonary consumption
6. On pneumathorax
7. On empyema, hydrothorax and pericarditis
8. On the coagulation of the blood in the vessels during life, and the softening of its fibrin
9. On pneumonia
10. On peritonitis
11. On cellular inflammation
12. On aneurism and the dilatation and occlusion of arteries
13. On deaths from alcoholic intoxication
14. Cases of suicide, and of deaths from accidents
15. On urinary and biliary calculi, and on entozoa
16. On peculiarities of organs as to form and position
Index.

Subject Areas: History of medicine [MBX]