A system of operative surgery: based upon the practice of surgeons in the United States, with a bibliographical index and historical record of many of their operations during a period of two hundred and thirty-four years (Volume 2).

  • Smith, Henry H. (Henry Hollingsworth), 1815-1890.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A system of operative surgery: based upon the practice of surgeons in the United States, with a bibliographical index and historical record of many of their operations during a period of two hundred and thirty-four years (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    All tumors of the breast have been divided, by Sir Astley Cooper, into those which are benignant and those which are malignant, the first being often curable by remedial measures, or by the extirpa- tion of the tumor itself; the latter being liable to invade the whole gland and render its entire extirpation proper, except when deve- loped in the breasts of those who from age or other circumstances may find it desirable to retain the bosom, even at the risk of being compelled to submit to a repetition of the operation. The removal of any of the benignant tumors may be accomplished by such inci- sions through the skin as will expose the new growth, when, after passing a ligature through it, or obtaining a good hold upon it in some other manner, the surgeon should carefully dissect it from the surrounding structure, so as to leave no particle of it. The extir- pation of the entire gland will be more fully detailed subsequently, in connection with the anatomical relations of this part. At present, attention may be advantageously directed to the gene- ral pathology of tumors of the breast, in order to enable the ope- rator to decide which operation may be advisable. SECTION I. PATHOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS OF MAMMARY TUMORS. In the extended work of Sir Astley Cooper,1 in that of Dr. War- ren, of Boston,2 and in an able article by Velpeau,3 may be found much valuable instruction in relation to this class of complaints, to which those desiring more extended details than can be reasonably anticipated in a work of the general operative character of the present, are referred. In the subdivisions of the benignant class of Sir Astley Cooper, are placed six different species of tumors. 1. The Hydatid. 2. The Chronic Mammary. 3. Cartilaginous and Osseous. 4. Adipose. 5. Large Pendulous Breast. 6. Scrofulous. 7. The Irritable Tu- mor. Of the signs of each Dr. Warren gives the following:— 1st. The Scrofulous Tumor is seen in early life in patients who present all the constitutional signs of scrofula. This tumor is large, 1 Cooper on the Diseases of the Breast. 2 Warren on Tumors. 8 Diet, de Medecine, tome 19me.