london hospital

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510 tions were thrown up, but no feculent eva- I cuation could be elicited. 01. ricini statim sumend. Nothing, however, seemed to lull the pain ; great thirst and hiccup came on ; his pulse sunk, and he gradually declined, and died at five o’clock on Sunday morning. Examination 9 hours after death. The peritoneum, investing the jejunum and ilium, presented signs of intense in- flammation ; the portion of intestine which had been strangulated was very vascular, with several small ulcerations of its mucous coat, one of which had penetrated the peri- toneal covering ; this perforation, which was of a square form, did not however com- municate with the peritoneal cavity, as it had contracted adhesions with an adjoining portion of intestine, on which it was folded ; the mesenteric glands were enlarged and indurated, and the mucous follicles of the intestines were considerably hypertrophied, particularly at the inferior portion of the ilium. The large descent of omentum drag- ging the stomach downwards, sufficiently accounted for the pain at the scrobiculus cordis, and sickness, which had so much harassed the poor fellow. The inguinal canals of each side, but particularly the right, were large and open, showing evi- dent signs of old ruptures. We have since learned from the mother of the deceased, that he had long been the subject of re- ducible hernia, and that it was very ques- tionable whether he had received a blow, as he stated, or only strained himself by work ing at the windlass. LONDON HOSPITAL. ULCERS OF THE LEGS. THE following cases of ulcers of the leg will serve to show the method of treatment most usually adopted in these affections by the surgeons of this hospital. Sir W. Blisard’s patient.-The first case, selected from among- Sir W. Blizard’s pa- tients, is that of a woman in Sophia’s ward. The ulcer was situated on the fore part of the tibia; it had existed about four months, and was of the size of the palm of the band when admitted, it had a foul unhealthy ap- pearance, the integuments surrounding the ulcer were of dark unhealthy character, the edges thick, and evincing a disposition to pass into the phagedenic character. The patient was of a pale, sickly ap- pearance, with a weak, languid pulse, and evident torpid state of system. The treatment adopted was rest in the recumbent posture, confining the patient to her bed, and applying the sour wash (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) to the ulcer, giv- ing’ internally the decoctum cum sodte carbon. ter die, and 3 grains of blite pill at night. Under this plan of treatment the patient has left the hospital with the ulcer healed. Mr. Andrews’s patient.-The case selected from among this gentleman’s cases is that of a young woman in the same ward. This patient, some time previous to her admis- sion, received, while in servitude, a blow on the tibia, which was followed by inflam. mation and ulceration of the integuments, leaving an ulcer about the middle of the leg, of about the size of a crown piece. This case was dressed with the unguentum zinci, confining the patient to bed. The constitutional treatment consisted in giving the Pil. aloes c.myrrha, and Pil. ferri comp- This patient eventually left the hospital cured, after being in the house about three months. Mr. Scott’s patient.-The case selected from among this gentleman’s patients is that of a man in Talbot’s ward. This patient was admitted with a large sloughy, unhealthy-looking ulcer on the lower part of the right leg. The integu- ments surrounding the ulcer are of a dark unhealthy appearance ; the granulations of a flabby character; the foot is edematous; the patient’s look shows a great want of power in the constitution; his habits were irregular previous to admission, being obliged to work hard for a scanty subsist- ,ence, and at times, when able, drinking a good deal. The treatment adopted in this case was as follows :-Confinement in bed. the foot elevated on the inclined plane, the chloride of lime lotion (3 j to aquae lb j ) to the part, and the internal exhibition of the curborzate of iron, 5 j ter die, with full diet, and a pint of porter. Under this plan of treatment healthy granulations sprung up, and the cure was perfected by strapping the part with the i emplastrum plumbi and rolling the leg. i WOUND OF THE RADIAL ARTERY, NEAR THE WRIST. The following patient was a ship-carpen- ter, who, while following his occupation, received a cut from a chisel. Immediately after the receipt of the injury he applied to a medical man, who bound up the wound, and applied compresses of lint, which ar- rested the hemorrhage. He states that he lost a considerable quantity of blood, that it was of a florid colour, and came out br jerks. After =_some time the hemorrhage returned, and the man applied at this hos- pital. On examioation there was found to be a transverse wound of about an inch in length over the situation of the radial ar- tery. On removing the dressings, a gush

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Page 1: LONDON HOSPITAL

510

tions were thrown up, but no feculent eva- Icuation could be elicited.

01. ricini statim sumend.

Nothing, however, seemed to lull thepain ; great thirst and hiccup came on ; hispulse sunk, and he gradually declined, anddied at five o’clock on Sunday morning.

Examination 9 hours after death.The peritoneum, investing the jejunum

and ilium, presented signs of intense in-flammation ; the portion of intestine whichhad been strangulated was very vascular,with several small ulcerations of its mucouscoat, one of which had penetrated the peri-toneal covering ; this perforation, whichwas of a square form, did not however com-municate with the peritoneal cavity, as ithad contracted adhesions with an adjoiningportion of intestine, on which it was folded ;the mesenteric glands were enlarged andindurated, and the mucous follicles of theintestines were considerably hypertrophied,particularly at the inferior portion of theilium. The large descent of omentum drag-ging the stomach downwards, sufficientlyaccounted for the pain at the scrobiculuscordis, and sickness, which had so muchharassed the poor fellow. The inguinalcanals of each side, but particularly theright, were large and open, showing evi-dent signs of old ruptures. We have sincelearned from the mother of the deceased,that he had long been the subject of re-ducible hernia, and that it was very ques-tionable whether he had received a blow, ashe stated, or only strained himself by working at the windlass.

LONDON HOSPITAL.

ULCERS OF THE LEGS.

THE following cases of ulcers of the legwill serve to show the method of treatmentmost usually adopted in these affections bythe surgeons of this hospital.

Sir W. Blisard’s patient.-The first case,selected from among- Sir W. Blizard’s pa-tients, is that of a woman in Sophia’s ward.The ulcer was situated on the fore part ofthe tibia; it had existed about four months,and was of the size of the palm of the bandwhen admitted, it had a foul unhealthy ap-pearance, the integuments surrounding theulcer were of dark unhealthy character, theedges thick, and evincing a disposition topass into the phagedenic character.The patient was of a pale, sickly ap-

pearance, with a weak, languid pulse, andevident torpid state of system.The treatment adopted was rest in the

recumbent posture, confining the patient toher bed, and applying the sour wash (1 partvinegar to 2 parts water) to the ulcer, giv-

ing’ internally the decoctum cum

sodte carbon. ter die, and 3 grains of blite pillat night.

Under this plan of treatment the patienthas left the hospital with the ulcer healed.

Mr. Andrews’s patient.-The case selectedfrom among this gentleman’s cases is thatof a young woman in the same ward. This

patient, some time previous to her admis-sion, received, while in servitude, a blowon the tibia, which was followed by inflam.mation and ulceration of the integuments,leaving an ulcer about the middle of theleg, of about the size of a crown piece.This case was dressed with the unguentumzinci, confining the patient to bed. Theconstitutional treatment consisted in givingthe Pil. aloes c.myrrha, and Pil. ferri comp-This patient eventually left the hospitalcured, after being in the house about threemonths.

Mr. Scott’s patient.-The case selectedfrom among this gentleman’s patients isthat of a man in Talbot’s ward.

This patient was admitted with a largesloughy, unhealthy-looking ulcer on thelower part of the right leg. The integu-ments surrounding the ulcer are of a darkunhealthy appearance ; the granulations ofa flabby character; the foot is edematous;the patient’s look shows a great want ofpower in the constitution; his habits were

irregular previous to admission, beingobliged to work hard for a scanty subsist-

,ence, and at times, when able, drinking agood deal. The treatment adopted in thiscase was as follows :-Confinement in bed.the foot elevated on the inclined plane, thechloride of lime lotion (3 j to aquae lb j ) tothe part, and the internal exhibition of thecurborzate of iron, 5 j ter die, with full diet,and a pint of porter.Under this plan of treatment healthy

granulations sprung up, and the cure wasperfected by strapping the part with thei emplastrum plumbi and rolling the leg.i

WOUND OF THE RADIAL ARTERY, NEARTHE WRIST.

The following patient was a ship-carpen-ter, who, while following his occupation,received a cut from a chisel. Immediatelyafter the receipt of the injury he applied toa medical man, who bound up the wound,and applied compresses of lint, which ar-rested the hemorrhage. He states that helost a considerable quantity of blood, thatit was of a florid colour, and came out br jerks. After =_some time the hemorrhagereturned, and the man applied at this hos-pital. On examioation there was found tobe a transverse wound of about an inch in

length over the situation of the radial ar-tery. On removing the dressings, a gush

Page 2: LONDON HOSPITAL

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of blood ensued, evidently of an arterialkind, the tourniquet was applied to the up-per arm, the divided ends of the artery weresecured by ligatures, one to the upper andthe other to the lower extremity ; the arterywas completely divided, and the ends ofthe artery had retracted to some distancein the surrounding cellular structure, whichwas infiltrated with blood. There was not

any considerable quantity of blood lost insecuring the vessel. The wound was closedwith strapping plaster, and the patient or-dered to keep himself perfectly quiet inbed, with his arm upon a pillow, and ragswet with cold lotion to be kept constantlyapplied. The case went on very well, theligatures separated on the eighth day, afterwhich the man left the hospital ; the woundhad almost entirely healed.

BURN.

On the afternoon of the 31st December a

very fine child, about five years of age, wasbrought to this hospital, having been dread.fully burned from his clothes catching fire.On examining the poor child, it was foundto be burned very severely over the wholeanterior surface of the body, face, neck,arms, and lega ; in fact it may be truly saidto be burned from head to foot." The treat-ment adopted in this instance was linseedoil and turpentine cold ; 10 minims of lau-danum were administered in a little warmwine immediately, and the laudanum re-peated in doses of 5 minims in wine twice.The child was extremely restless, throwingitself about until within a few minutes ofits death, which took place about eighthours after admission.

CHRONIC ENLARGEMENT OF THE TESTICLE.

The subject of this affection was admittedinto the hospital on the 22d Nov. The

patient, a man about 25 years of age, wasapparently much out of health ; was of aspare habit of body ; he had a sallow com-plexion and unhealthy appearance. The

light testicle was found to be enlarged toat least three times its natural size, and wasso exceedingly firm that it might be said tobe of scirrhous hardness. Every part ofthe body of the testicle was equally indu-rated, but at the upper part there was anelastic feel differing entirely from the prin-cipal bulk of the tumour, which evidentlyarose from the presence of a fluid. Thespermatic chord was thickened; we couldnot discover any difference between the

epididymis and the body of the testicle, not-withstanding considerable pains were takenin the examination, the whole being min-gled together in the disease. The integu-ments were not inflamed, but the patientcomplained of a dragging pain in the

loins, and considerable pain in the testi-cle; the pain was excessive on the slightestpressure being made on the part.

The disease commenced about seven

months ago. The pain attending it wasnot severe until within about a month pre-I vious to his applying here, when he re-’ceived a blow on the scrotum, from which

time, he says, the pain has been consider-able, and prevented him following his busi-ness, that of a hawker. The patient saysi he has not had any venereal affection Jorthe last two years, when he had a gonor-rhœa, the discharge ceased from taking im-properly the balsam of copaiba, and he had aswelled testicle on the left side, but fromwhich he soon recovered.

The treatment adopted in this case was

confining’ the patient strictly to his bed, andapplying-a a considerable number of leechesto the part; after the bleeding had ceased,spirit lotion to the part, purging the pa-tient, and keeping him on milk diet.

In the course of a few days the pain di-minished materially, and we thought thetesticle became softer. On the 9th, hewas directed to discontinue the leeches andlotion, and rub in upon the testicle about ascruple of the strong mercurial ointment everyniht, and take five grains of blue pill atbed-time. He continued this plan for fouror five days, without the mercury havingany perceptible effect, and was directed torub in the same quantity of mercurial oint-ment night and morning instead of only atnight, and also to take two of the pills atnight and one in the morning with half agrant of opium at night. ,

Dec. 10. He has continued taking thepills and rubbing in the mercurial ointmenthis mouth has become very much affected;the gums are excessively tender, and thereis profuse salivary discharge.-The diseasein the testicle has become materially miti-gated ; the testicle has become softer to thetouch, and is likewise reduced in size-saysthe pain in the testicle has entirely lefthim. Was ordered to discontinue the mer-

cury, and take occasionally an aperient.17. The improvement which has taken

place in this case is surprising; the diseasedtesticle is much diminished, and is softto the touch; in different parts there is a

preternatural hardness remaining, but thedisease has rapidly given way from the timehe became affected with the mercury. BVasordered, extract. sarsœ 3 j ter die, with theview of improving his general health.The tumour has gone on gradually de-

creasing, and his general health has mate-rially improved. To continue the sarsapa-rilla.

, Jan. 3. The patient has gone on gradu-ally improving since our last report. Thetesticle has continued to decrease, and is

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now not very much larger than the appo-sition-bis general health is much beuefited,and he will soon leave the hospital.

The case of compound fracture of thetibia, reported at page 288, continued toget better, and has been discharged cured.There was an exfoliation of a small portionof the tibia, after which the wound rapidlycicatrized, and the man has left the hospitalwith an exceedingly good leg.

DR. A. T. THOMSON.

To the EdttO’O/’THE LANCET.SiR,-Astouished at the frivolous and lshameful attack made upon our worthy

Professor of Materia Medica, Dr. A. ’1’.Thomson, as well as of your inserting’ sucha scandalous abuse, in your otherwise mostvaluable journal, 1 cannot but do justice tothat gentleman in refuting the statementsof your correspondent. It was Dr. Thom-son’s intention to have invited his friendDr. Macleod to the conversazione, but af-terwards conceiving that, it might give riseto some dissatisfaction on the part of oneof his colleagues, neither he nor his friendmade their appearance. And now, Mr.Editor, let me confidently assure you, thatno such design as that of " hissing the Pro-fessor, or of passing a vote of censure onhim," was ever entertained, except per-haps by the writer and two or three of hispartisans ; and so far from all being re-solved to leave the conversazione in a bodyif Dr. Macleod entered," few persons pre-sent were made aware of the circumstance ; -,and in the event of its having’ been mademore extensively known, I am sure not oneof Dr. Thomson’s pupils present, from thegreat respect and esteem due to him, wouldhave so far forgot themselves as to havebeen guilty of such disgraceful behaviouras your correpondent would wish to imputeto them. It is a great pity, sir, that thewriter could not employ his time more tothe purpose, than hy attempting to attack agentleman who has contributed not a little10 science, who possesses an unsullied cha- racter. and whose zeal and anxiety in thewelfare of his pupils, and in the dischargeof his duty, none can surpass.

I am, Sir, yours most truly,VINDICATOR,

A Pupi! of the London University.January 8, 1833.

*** The above letter was not authen-- tieared, but whoever our correspondent maybe, we have to remark, that the statementswhich have appeared in this journal rela-tive to the subject on which he writes,were not inserted until the fullest possibleauthentication of them bad been obtained.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE DIARRHŒA PREMONITORY OF CUO.

LERA.-J- S., Sonthwark, requests ns to notice, asan important fact, " that the diarrhoea premonitoryof malignant or Asiatic cholera is unattended Mrpain in the bowels." He adds, " From extensive

experience I believe this form of direction to be al-most peculiar to cholera. In 99 cases out of 100 ofthe ordinary form of diarrhoea in this country, wehave pain in the bowels, often very severe. I amso convinced of this, that during the latter patt ofthe prevalence of the epidemic in London, whensent for to a patient, if I found he had pain in thebowels, even before seeing him, I felt assured hehad not Asiatic. cholera, and in no instance have Iyet been in error. I know that many persons hate

cramp of the recti and other abdominat muscles, hutthis is not the commencement of cholera, neithercan it be mistaken for pain in the intestines. I amalso aware that in a few cases of cholera we havenot the premonitory symptoms, but this is rarf.

I trust that the public (for professional men musthave already observed it) ivill be clearly informedthat the danger is infinitely more urgent when theyhave diarrhœa, unaccompanied by pain, than whenattended by that symptom."

ARTIFICIAL ANATOMY.—Some "anato-mical imitations," brought to this country by .Df.Cardo, and exhibited for sale at 49, Wobtirn-place,Russell-square, have been mentioned to us as wellworthy the inspection of the profession, and as be.ing offered at a price which must be very temptngto purchasers. We beg to direct attention to them.Each figure forms a representation of the whole hu.man frame, nearly the entire structure of which ii

shown, and in a novel and very instructive manner.

Justitia.-The indentures are not bindingafter the age nf 21. The certificate may be°de-

manded," but the demand cannot be fnforred.

A correspondent wishes us to state in ourjournal, as a means of partially remedying the evil,that one of the anti-cholera nostrum venders, in theneighhourhood of the West India Docks, is a ship-carpenter, and that he professes to have had hn" cure" for the disease made known to him by dismeinspiration. Scores of persons, he adds, have beendeluded into buying the iujnrious compound thiisvended.

All that we can promise Mr. Sheldrake isthis, that we shall exereise our judgment in a per-i’ectly impartial manner on the propriety of publish-ing or withholding any eommumcation which hemay forward to this journal. It would be absaidfor us to give a pledge to publish papers that aip notbefote e us, and with the contents of which we have

no possibility of being acquainted.

If X cannot he a reader of the Lancet, or lmwould have known that it is not our practice tacomment on the affairs of private medical pracH-tioners.

The letters of Dr. Hutchinson, Dr. Howi-son, 1)r.l;pps,the London Hospital Pupil, Mr.Gard-ner, Mr. Dermvtt, and some others, next week.

The communication from Baron Heurteloupin our next week.