The students guide to surgical diagnosis / by Christopher Heath.

  • Heath, Christopher, 1835-1905.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The students guide to surgical diagnosis / by Christopher Heath. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in the spinal column. Mere pressure upou the spinous processes witli the fingers is practically useless as a test, since hysterical hyperesthesia of the skin may cause the patient to cry out, but a hot sponge may detect tenderness before any actual projection has occurred. Abscess. The common occurrence of cervical, dorsal or lumbar abscess, or of psoas and iliac ab- scesses, in connection with angular curvature must not be overlooked. Lateral 446. Growing out of the shoulder, gene- cuiva uie. ra]iy right, is one of the earliest symptoms of lateral curvature of the spine. Careful in- spection of the back will show whether the projection of the scapula is due simply to feebleness of muscles, or to displacement back- wards of the angles of the ribs consequent upon the rotation of the vertebras in lateral curvature. A more or less complete double curve may be detected in all cases of lateral curvature, the dorsal and lumbar curves being on opposite sides. In investigating a case of lateral curvature, regard should be had (1) to the condition of the thorax and its contents; (2) to the length of the lower limhs, which may not be equal; and (3) to any employment or habits which may induce deformity.