Observations on lithotomy / [John Lizars].

  • Lizars, John, 1787?-1860
Date:
[1827]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on lithotomy / [John Lizars]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Mr. LIZARS’ OBSERVATIONS ON LITHOTOMY. TO The Editor of the Medico- Chirurgical Review of London. Sir, Although, probably, more has been written on lithotomy than on any other surgical operation, yet, judging from the writings of our most learned modern physicians and surgeons, w*e seem to be still ignorant of its fundamental prin¬ ciples. I am led to these observations by two papers lately published, by Dr. Monro and Mr. Allan, in the 3d and 4th numbers of the New Edinburgh Journal of Medical Science, in which I am obscurely alluded to. In the 3d number. Dr. Monro states, <£ Mr. Allan informed me, that he had met with an instance, in which there were two stones lodged within the bladder. One of these was readily removed by the forceps, but the other could not be extracted at the time; it, therefore, occurred that, as the groping for a considerable time with the forceps in the bladder proves ex¬ tremely dangerous, it would, at the moment, be more prudent to desist from further attempts to extract the stone, which was then firmly grasped by the contracted portion of the bladder, and that the stone would probably come away of itself along with the urine, in consequence of the subsequent relaxation of the contracted part of the bladder.” In Number 4, the Doctor says, “since the publication of my observations on spasm of the passages for the food, the bile, and the urine, I have received the following important com¬ munication from Mr. Allan, surgeon, which affords a striking illustration of the spasmodic power of the bladder of urine. I was present at the operation to which Mr. Allan has al¬ luded, in the performance of which, the dexterity of the ope¬ rator was no less conspicuous than his coolness and sound judgment. Important Communication. £ Letter from Robert Allan, Esq. F.R.S. E. Surgeon to the Royal Infirmary, and Lecturer on Surgery in Edinburgh, to Alexander Monro, M.D. F.R.S. E, &c.