The Diagnosis of Dyspepsia in General Practice with Notes on a Simple Method of Classification

Fleming, Charles Mann (1933) The Diagnosis of Dyspepsia in General Practice with Notes on a Simple Method of Classification. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

In the Introduction we defined dyspepsia so as to include all cases, functional or organic, in which discomfort of any kind occurred during digestion; and we stated our object as follows: (1) To formulate a routine procedure, suitable for General Practice, in the examination and diagnosis of cases of dyspepsia. (2) To classify the various kinds of dyspepsia in a way which shall be useful and simple; and which shall describe each condition adequately for the purpose of rational treatment. (5) To examine the results in 170 cases. In Chapter Three we have explained our procedure. This is more or less in accordance with convention as regards the history, interrogation and examination, i.e. the purely clinical part. That part must be done as fully in General Practice as in hospital work and in it there is no curtailment desirable or justifiable. It is in regard to Special Methods (more particularly the test-meal, the test for occult blood in the stools and the use of X-rays) that we have endeavoured to discriminate and decide in which forms of dyspepsia one or more of these is necessary. The conclusions reached are referred to in detail under the sections on the various diseases. We have made a classification of dyspepsia which seems to us to fulfil the purpose we have indicated above. The difficulties have been discussed and reasons advanced for the arrangement we have formulated in Chapter Four. In the second Volume notes of 170 cases have been included. A few conclusions and comments regarding these are given at the end of the Volume. The case-sheets are constructed on the lines indicated in our routine procedure. It is not to be supposed that these notes contain all that was used in the diagnosis. They contain the salient features and, we trust, make clear the method by which we investigate a suspected case of dyspepsia. Much that is important has of necessity been excluded on account of exigencies of space. For example, the examiner's impression of the patient's temperament has often been summed up by such a word as "nervous." To deal adequately with questions of this nature is impossible in tabular notes such as we have been obliged to use. It is apparent however that they may be of considerable importance in the diagnosis.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine
• Date of Award: 1933
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1933-79952
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• Last Modified: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79952