A treatise on obstructed and inflamed hernia: and on mechanical obstructions of the bowels internally ... With an appendix containing additional cases and observations, illustrated by diagrams and also strictures on the remarks of reviewers / By Henry Stephens.

  • Stephens, Henry (Surgeon)
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on obstructed and inflamed hernia: and on mechanical obstructions of the bowels internally ... With an appendix containing additional cases and observations, illustrated by diagrams and also strictures on the remarks of reviewers / By Henry Stephens. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which appeared likely to give even temporary relief; but if Mr. Earl had considered that an unfavourable fixed state of the intestines alone was sufficient to occasion obstruction, he would then have proceeded to separate them from their connexions to the surrounding parts, and to return them into the abdomen, as the only natural and probable way of re-establishing their function. It will probably be contended that to do this wras dangerous, and perhaps impossible, and indeed, from its complication with a diseased state of the surrounding parts, I doubt if any operation would have been suc¬ cessful, but separating the bowel from its con¬ nexions, and returning it into the body, was the only likely or possible chance. I do not consider that any blame can reasonably attach to Mr. Earl in this case, the existing knowledge upon the subject not having distinctly shown that symptoms resembling strangulation can be caused by adhesions only, and that relief can be given by a simple separation of the adhering surfaces; Mr. Earl, therefore, could not be prepared for any such experiment, and perhaps, after all, the nature of the case might not admit of it. An opening in the bowel, therefore, appeared the only possible way in
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