Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1077

FRANçOIS XAVIER SWEDIAUR (1748-1824) Traité complet sur les symptomes, les effets, la nature et le traitement des maladies syphilitiques. Chez l'auteur, Méquignon l'aîné 1798 Vol. I: [4] xv [lii] 384 pp.; Vol. II: [4] lxiv, 448 pp. 19.8 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 1075

In the introduction to the present work, Swediaur commented that this was his definitive work on syphilis. Previous editions and translations were no longer available and he felt that his recent extensive study of the subject should be published in order to present a full and final treatise on syphilis. This edition was numbered, this being set No. 1301. The book was also signed by the author to certify that this was a genuine copy. In Volume I Swediaur differentiates between the various forms of urethral discharge from syphilis. He discusses the differential diagnosis of gonorrhea from other, non-specific discharges, even those that were not the result of any known source of infection. The term blennorrhagie syphilitique is often used to cover this entire group of various types of urethral discharges and their effects. Swediaur also experimented upon himself in order to show that urethral discharge simulating gonorrhea could be produced chemically without infection. He injected a mixture of water and ammonia into his own urethra but had to stop because of the excruciating pain. He suffered severe pain for several days, and developed a discharge similar to that seen in patients with gonorrhea. Volume II is devoted to an exhaustive discussion of the history, signs, symptoms, and treatment (primarily mercurial) of syphilis, and contains many accurate descriptions.

See Related Record(s): 1301

Cited references: Waller 8768

Gift of John Martin, M.D.