On disease of the supra-renal capsules, or morbus Addisonii / by Samuel Wilks.

  • Wilks, Samuel, Sir, 1824-1911.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On disease of the supra-renal capsules, or morbus Addisonii / by Samuel Wilks. 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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    plump and muscular limbs. None of the organs were found diseased except the supra-renal capsules. The lungs were dark from venous engorgement, but (issue bralthy. Heart healthy, and contained coagula. Mucous membrane of stomach healthy, except a slight ecchymosis at the cardiac end. Liver healthy; to its inner surface was adherent the rigtit supra-renal capsule, which, like its fellow, was im- bedded and lost in a mass which was bounded externally by lymph, which occupied the cellular tissue originally surrounding the capsule, the whole being a mass of about the size of three segments of an ordinary-sized orange, and roughly of the same shape. In section, the interior presented masses of a yellow substance, in a more or less softened state, in the centre of the capsule. A quantity of encysted, puriform fluid was found in the left capsule. They were about equally affected. The kidneys, even though closely in contact with the diseased capsules, were quite unaffected and healthy, their containing fibrous tunics being non-adherent. Case 16.^—The following case is one like many others in our series, a case observed by a gentleman who was familiar with the disease, and yet quite unprejudiced in his views, affording, therefore, at the time of its occurrence, additional proof of the truthfulness of Addison's researches. Mr. Bacon had not long left Guy's Hospital, in order to practise at Norwich, when he was requested to see the subject of the following case, just previous to the death of the patient. It is no disparagement to the other medical men, who were unfamiliar with the peculiarities of the supra-renal affection, to state that the case had been regarded as hepatic; but Mr. Bacon, with his practised eye, at once declared the true nature of the disease, and death soon came to verify the correctness of the diagnosis. We may here allude, as in several other cases, to the nervous symptoms associated with the disease, this lad having, during the last two days of his life, anaesthesia of the hands and feet, attended with pain. JohnF—, ffit. 15, a well-made lad, of average size, had always had good health till the present illness, which commenced about seven months ago with loss of appetite, nausea, and gradual diminution of strength, without any apparent cause. Cachectic sores soon appeared on his thighs and legs, which healed but slowly, and he began to complain of giddiness and pain in the head. These symptoms continued for many weeks, at times being so far mitigated as to induce the boy to attempt a return to his work, which was that of a plasterer; but two or three such attempts only resulted in failure, and on one occasion he fainted on the road, and was brought home by a fellow-labourer. He had medical advice from two or three sources, and was supposed to be much benefited at one time after a long course of treatment. It ' Case of Melasma Supra-renale. By G. Mackenzie Bacon. From ' Med. Ti and Gazette,' August 6th, 1859.