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Anodynes - Victorian Medicine

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Anodynes - Victorian Health and Medicine

From 'The Dictionary of Daily Wants' - 1858-1859

ANODYNES, from a Greek word anodunos, which signifies "that which relieves pain." Anodynes act in three ways:

  • by actually assuaging pain, as by cupping;
  • by inducing sleep, as with laudanum; or
  • by stupifying the senses, as with chloroform.

These remedies should be applied with great care, or they may only aggravate the pain which is sought to be relieved.

It should also be observed that an habitual resort to these agents should by all means be avoided, as by repetition their operation is weakened, and the means must necessarily be augmented from time to time in order to accomplish the desired end. It is obvious, therefore, that these repeated demands upon the system tend to enervate and weaken it, so that the good accomplished by the temporary lulling of local pain is far outbalanced by the permanent injury sustained by the general health. See CAMPHOR, CANTHARIDES, COLCHICUM, CREASOTE, CUPPING, DOVER'S POWDER, FOXGLOVE, HEMLOCK, HENBANE, LAUDANUM, LETTUCE, MORPHIA, OPIUM, PAREGORIC, POPPIES, &c.

> More Victorian Health and Medicine

The Victorian Hospital
The Victorian Hospital
by Lavinia Mitton
  Short perspective on Victorian medical care
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