Thirty-seventh annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1874.

  • Suffolk Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
[1875]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thirty-seventh annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1874. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/20 (page 13)
    A. C. Married, a small dark woman, suffering from suicidal mania. Ascites had been present for some time, fluctuation well marked. Girth, round the umbilicus 39in. There appeared to be a distinct mass in the umbilical region, but its characters were not constant. She was continually begging for active interference in her case; she found it impossible to lie down in bed and her distress was very great* Hydragogue purgatives were administered which afforded her some small and temporary relief, but in a short time they had to be discontinued on account of the great weak¬ ness they produced. At length on the 29th of June, her request was acceded to, and in the presence of the Superintendent paracentesis was performed, and six gallons and a half of brownish grumous fluid was withdrawn. The patient expressed great thankfulness for her relief. She could sleep well and take her meals with more relish. The wound continued to discharge a clear liquid now and then slightly tinged with blood: no attempt was made to close it. The abdomen was supported by a thick flannel binder. She continued to go on well till the 10th of July, when she was suddenly seized with faintness and died. On examining the abdomen a multilocular ovarian cyst was found involving both ovaries, together with much ascitic fluid. An instance of symmetry of disease is to be seen in the case of J. B. a man suffering from acute mania: the second toe of each foot is in a state of incipient gangrene. The rest of each foot is sound, and there has been no injury to either. c