Diabetes mellitus Author:William Morgan Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: is now already known, yet much still remains to be discovered ere we are able completely to unravel the series of obscure laws which regulate the formation and d... more »estruction of saccharine matter in the animal economy. Before, however, we embark upon the consideration of the anatomy, chemistry, physiology, pathology, and therapeutics of Diabetes Mellitus, it were well to glance briefly at the early history and literature of this interesting subject, in order that we may the more clearly define and appreciate the advances which, step by step, have already been made ; and to comprehend in what respect the physiological and pathological views at present advanced, differ from those of a by-gone era. While essentially intended as a popular, or semi- popular work, the different subjects are handled with strict accuracy, and according to the most recent and advanced physiological, pathological, and therapeutic views, both allopathic and in accordance with the doctrine of Hahnemann. It is consequently anticipated that this little work may not altogether be considered unworthy the attention of the profession, who may find in it some new, practical, and useful information on a subject which, till very recently, has been for ages enshrouded in so much obscurity. CHAPTER I. HISTOEY OF DIABETES MELLITUS. DEFINITION. JjHE term Diabetes—which derives its signification from the Greek word Am/Srfo, a siphon ; or from 5iu/3a/jw, transeo; Sia, through, and to pass —may be defined as the secretion of an inordinate quantity of sweet-tasting, violet-smelling urine ; accompanied with great thirst, dryness of skin, extreme debility, and general emaciation. NOMENCLATURE OF DIABETES MELLITUS. Synonymously, Diabetes is a coinage of the two Greek words — eta, through, and ftaivia, to pass. It...« less