An enquiry into the nature, causes, and cure of hydrothorax : illustrated by interesting cases, and many living examples of the success of the mode of treatment recommended / by L. Maclean.

  • Maclean, L. (Lachlan), Sir, -1820.
Date:
1810
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An enquiry into the nature, causes, and cure of hydrothorax : illustrated by interesting cases, and many living examples of the success of the mode of treatment recommended / by L. Maclean. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

    48/552 (page 22)
    Clinical Experiments,* and in the works of Morgagni.t And extensive adhesions of the lungs with the pleura costalis, by preventing the water from passing to the most depending part of the cavity, may do the same. Con- siderable collections of water in the pericar- dium likewise may have some influence in this respect. When both cavities are equally distended, the easiest position is on the back with the shoulders elevated. The cause of this symptom is sufficiently obvious. Any considerable pressure on the surface of the heart and lungs from water must necessarily occasion proportionable interrup- tion of their functions; and this will be in- creased on motion, or the application of any * Tlie subject of this rase was a taylor a?t. 45, Has been affected, eays the author, lor four \ ears with d\spnoea, uneasiness wl en he lies on the righ' sirle, the sensation of something moving in his breast when he turns in bed, and pain and swelling aboiit the liver. When opened, the lungs adhered almost wholly to the pleuraj and in the right ca\itv was found a pint of fluid, w hich must have pressed much on account of the adhesion. We found on the right lobe of the liver two contiguous tumours pointing to the ribs. p. 33S. •(• In the case related hy Morgagni, the Water was found on dissec- tion in the left cavity, of which it was full; but she could not breathe in bed unless she lay on the right side. In the right ventricle of the heart was a large polvpous concretion, which extended itself from thence into the vena cava. Lctterxvi, obs. 12. Vide case 6. Appendix No. ii.