“_But acupuncturation does not appertain in any respect to sanguineous evacuations_,[2] it can only contribute sometimes to establish the indications for them. This operation is _not indeed followed by any success_, when the disease _depends upon sanguineous turgescence and inflammation_.
“In contrary circumstances, Acupuncturation, by dissipating the symptoms, demonstrates, that disorder of the nervous system only had given rise to them.”
The only cases of Rheumatism in which I have been successful with the operation, have been of the Rheumatalgic form, or that which is divested of external inflammation; characterised by pain upon motion, stiffness and coldness of the part; the disease having a disposition to change its place; is aggravated by atmospheric changes, and relieved often by stimulant Diaphoretics, Narcotics and external warmth: but I have yet met with success in some cases where the intensity of the pain would have led me to believe, that considerable inflammatory action must have given rise to such exquisite nervous sensibility.
Mr. Berlioz in speaking of the diseases to which this remedy is applicable, says, “vague and wandering Rheumatism sometimes attacks the external muscles subservient to respiration; the patient is obliged to remain motionless; every motion of the trunk compels him to cry out; a deep inspiration is very difficult, and coughing occasions such cruel pains, that expectoration is impossible. Acupuncturation dissipates instantly this state of distress, and renders to the muscles their full liberty of action. In the space of one or two minutes, a patient whose sufferings drew from him tears, exclaims he is quite cured.”
These observations of Mr. Berlioz are fully substantiated by the experience of Dr. Haime of Tours, who has devoted much time and attention to the operation of Acupuncturation, and has lately published a most interesting paper upon the subject in the 13th volume of the “Journal Universel des Sciences Medicales,” at Paris.[3]
The doctor declares that his own practice bears evidence of the fidelity of the preceding remarks of Mr. Berlioz. He accuses the Japonese and Chinese, (to whom this operation he says is peculiar,) practising it too extensively, which has been partly the cause of its being disregarded by Europeans, and acknowledges that it was to Mr. Berlioz’s cases, which he has related in his “estimable work,” that he owed the fortunate application which he has made of this measure.