Volume 7

Descriptive catalogue of the pathological specimens contained in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

  • Royal College of Surgeons of England. Museum.
Date:
1846-9
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Descriptive catalogue of the pathological specimens contained in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    92/108 (page 84)
    A similar and symmetrical enlargement into small meduUarj- tumours was found in both the seventh nerves, just before their exit from the cranium. The medullary substance spread out and adhered to the inner surface of the dura mater; developing itself from the nerve, it appeared to have been arrested for some time where the nerve passed through the dura mater, and to have poured itself over the inner surface of the latter. The greater part of the dura mater on the left side having been removed, and the Gasserian ganglion, &c., exposed, the internal carotid was seen to bo surrounded by medullary sub- stance, which extended from the optic foramen towards the outer aspect of the seUa turcica. Extensive haemorrhage had occurred beneath the dura mater and round the left Gasserian ganglion. 172. The greater part of the tunics of a right eye, together with the gi-eyish- white and opaque lens ; the section is carried through the middle of the optic nerve and parallel with its nerve-fibres. The grey, opaque, funnel-shaped substance which runs across the interior of the eye from the optic nerve to the lens is the displaced retina and hyaloid. The sclerotic and the brown choroid are in apposition. A nodular, melano-medullary growth (probably originating in the outer surface of the choi'oid) projects into the space between the choroid and the detached retina; the longest diameter of its base extends from the region of the yellow spot to the nearest portion of the ora serrata. Only a small portion of choroid adjoining the chief mass of the tumour is infiltrated with melanotic substance. The ciliary processes and the ora serrata are hidden from view by the displaced retina and by the suspensory ligament. J. P., aged 46, a shoemaker (under the care of Mr. Streatfeild, Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital), a strong-looking man, of fair complexion, and general good health, had good eyes until September 1859, when, while cutting leather, it appeared to him as if the c utting-board were slanting, and, on closing the left eye, foimd that the distorted appearance was due to some change in the right eye. A similar apparent distortion of all objects continued as long as the vision of the eye remained. The distinction of distant objects disappeared before that of things placed close to the eye. In March 1860, the right eye, having lost all vision beyond the mere perception of shadows, one night suddenly became bloodshot and painful, with considerable chemosis. A hazy state of the lens was also noticed. The inflammatory symptoms subsided after eight weeks, the eye resuming its former healthy appearance, but remaining blind. Lately there have been slight attacks of pain in the right eye, and the left has felt weak. The right eye was excised, July 30th, 1860. Dissection.—Shape and size normal. Cornea transparent; iris in apposition with it. Pupil irregular, fixed. Lens grey and opaque. Vitreous missing; a small quantity of blood effused close behind the lens. Retina funnel-shaped, detached, thrown into folds.