Observations on certain eruptions of the skin which occur after recent operations and injuries : a thesis for the degree of M.D. in the University of Cambridge / by Edward C. Stirling.

  • Stirling, Edward Charles, 1848-1919.
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on certain eruptions of the skin which occur after recent operations and injuries : a thesis for the degree of M.D. in the University of Cambridge / by Edward C. Stirling. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    and continues after the appearance of the rash, though it is also true that in slight cases there may throughout be scarcely any rise of temperature at all. In simple surgical rash the temperature as a rule, I think, will not he found very high, though some rise is often present. The high- est I have met with in one of these scarlatiniform erup- tions was 102°, which, however, very shortly dropped to the normal after subsidence of the rash. On the other hand, in one of the cases of herpes after catheterisation, there was acute fever, the thermometer reaching 105°, and remaining high for some days; and Verneuil also notes the high temperature in the case of traumatic herpes reported by him; so that, perhaps, very much reliance cannot be placed upon the absolute height reached. In two instances only* does sore-throat appear to have been present, and in one other (Case V.) the fauces are described as being reddened. We have seen, however, that in real scarlet fever after wounds, this symptom is very often absent, so that the presence or absence of this can scarcely guide us in the matter. In only one of the cases mentioned in the table was there any characteristic appearance of the tongue recorded. In this (Case XYI.) the papillae are reported as red and enlarged, but in none of them is the tongue described as having the ‘strawberry’ appearance so often seen hi scarlet fever. I am inclined to belieAm that in the state of the tongue we have a valuable guide for diagnosis. In those cases previously mentioned as occurring among out-patients in the experience of the house surgeons, this was found to be the case; and relying in great part upon this sign they were enabled, in spite of difficulties, suc- cessfully to diagnose and separate those that were scar- latinal from the others, Avhich proved to be simple surgical rashes. These points of difference on Avhich to base a diagnosis correspond pretty closely Avith those enumerated by Dr. Cheadle.f The only matter in Avliich I Avould venture to differ from him is that of desquamation. He considers * Cases II. and IX. See previous note. t Loc. cit.