On the claims of priority in the exsection and disarticulation of the lower jaw : with an appendix containing the report of several operations performed / by Geo. C. Blackman.

  • Blackman, George Curtis, 1819-1871.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the claims of priority in the exsection and disarticulation of the lower jaw : with an appendix containing the report of several operations performed / by Geo. C. Blackman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/20 (page 13)
    and the cough which had previously harassed him, immediately disappeared. The tumefaction of the face, however, not only continued, but, in a few weeks, began to increase. Abscesses still formed occasionally around the eye and temple, which were opened, when they discharged a large quantity of matter. In¬ deed, the whole progress of the case up to the present time (Mar. 15th, 1852) has been so peculiar, that we are tempted to insert in this place the following extract from a letter of Dr. Evans, his at¬ tending physician, dated Sept. 2, 1850 : “ The operation was performed Feb. 26th, 1848. The wound never healed ; fungus granulations filled it, and the adjacent parts seemed to degenerate into a similar fungoid condition. This gradually extended over the neck, and now, two and a half years since the operation, it reaches within an inch of the clavicle. The glands on the other side of the neck are enlarged and very hard. Their size varies considerably at different times. The skin over the neck is hard and unyielding, which causes his head to be con¬ stantly bent forwards. This indurated condition of the parts about the trachea, by the stricture which it produces, seriously affects his respiration. For the last eight months he has been obliged to sleep in a chair, in the erect position. Fungus growths sprouted from the different points where the abscesses had been opened. His present condition, compared with that which he presented one year ago, is as follows : the abscesses on his temple and in the vicinity of his eye, are slowly improving. The fungus on the lower part of his face and neck, extends over a larger surface, and continues gradually to spread. The glands on the other side of his neck, onedialf larger. His general health rather better, which he attributes to the use of Lugol’s solution of Iodine, which he commenced taking last spring. A fewT days since I put him on Iodide of Iron. I think his lungs still retain their integrity. Every winter he runs down, and comes out quite feeble in the spring. During the summer he again recruits. In the winter he 2S troubled with indigestion, when his respiration is always worse, the agony sometimes being intense. You recollect that Prof. ——- and Dr. —-considered his disease cancer. Time has shown that they were mistaken. Pus always has, and still does form in ab¬ scesses. It is never thin and ichorus, but always of a good cha¬ racter. From the present condition of his throat, and the effects of winter upon him, I doubt whether he can survive another spring.’5 if