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