An essay on curvatures and diseases of the spine, including all the forms of spinal distortion: to which the Fothergillian Gold Medal was awarded by the Medical Society of London and presented, at a special meeting, on the 3rd of May, 1824: with some additions / By R.W. Bampfield.

  • Bampfield, R. W. (Robert William), -1827.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on curvatures and diseases of the spine, including all the forms of spinal distortion: to which the Fothergillian Gold Medal was awarded by the Medical Society of London and presented, at a special meeting, on the 3rd of May, 1824: with some additions / By R.W. Bampfield. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    cess of the fourth lumbar vertebra is 80 much beyond that of the fifth, that it appears as if, at this point, the upper part of the spinal column were about to fall off from the part below it. From the spinous process of the ninth dor- sal vertebra, which occupies its natural situation, the spi- nous processes of the seven vertebre below it gradually in- cline outwards, till the line reaches the extremity of the spi- nous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra, which becomes the angular point, the base line of the triangle being formed by the lower surface of this vertebra. Between the spinous processes of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebra, there is a space in which the fore finger may easily be pressed upon the interspinous ligament now elongated, al- though, when én situ, they nearly approximate. The trans- verse processes of three lumbar vertebra are distinctly felt projecting on each side of the spinous processes, and, in- stead of these processes falling gracefully in between the muscles of the back, they elevate and stretch the integu- ments and muscles, so as to form a bow or arc laterally, the chord line of which is formed by the transverse processes, on which it may be imagined, the spinous process is raised as a perpendicular, dividing the arc into two equal parts. When the patient walked, which she could only do for a short time in a waddling gait, she evinced great weakness of the muscles of the back, and of the muscles generally, for she always stooped forwards, and supported herself by pla- cing both hands on her knees, so that the nates projected be- hind ; the foot of the right leg bent inwards, and the flex- or tendons of the same leg were contracted. In the attempts to walk, she frequently fell down, or, from severe pains of the back, was obliged to lie down, even in the streets. The pains of the back, and of both knees (particularly of the right,) sometimes made her scream, and often disturbed and prevented sleep. Any sudden motion of the vertebra in- duced smart pains of the back; dyspnoea ensued from very slight exertions; the appetite was bad, and the body weak and emaciated. The patient had submitted to various plans