Proceedings of the Dublin Obstetrical Society for session 1872-73.

  • Dublin Obstetrical Society
Date:
1873
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Proceedings of the Dublin Obstetrical Society for session 1872-73. 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.

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    cervix of the uterus with the speculum. It enables us in many instances to ascertain the connexion or non-connexion of hypogastric tumours with the uterus. It affords us valuable diagnostic information by enabling us to measure the length of the uterine cavity, and by its use we can learn the position of the uterus and its relation to surrounding parts. We have thus then, I assert, in the sound, an instrument as valuable in refer- ence to uterine disease as is the stethoscope to thoracic disease. Many other contributions of Simpson’s are only inferior in value to the Memoir on the Sound. To him we are indebted for nearly all we know of flexions and displacements of the uterus, and that peculiar condition so pro- ductive of discomfort and bad health, which he named sub-involution of the uterus, was not known till he recognized and described it. Then again it is to him we are indebted in the main for one of our greatest improvements in the treatment of uterine disease. I mean the getting at the interior of the uterus so as to apply treatment directly to the diseased surface. The use of prepared sponge and other expanding tents for dilating the uterus is described by the earliest writers ; but till Simpson directed attention to it, complete exploration of the cavity of the uterus was not known in modern practice. We can now explore the interior of the uterus, ascertain its condition, make applications to its surface, and even perform surgical operations within it. We have thus, by the genius of this great man, had the power conferred upon us of coping with a large class of diseases formerly almost absolutely beyond our reach, such as chronic catarrhal discharges, haemorrhages, intra-uterine polypi, fibrous tumours, and others. Beatty wrote many papers on physiological and medico-legal questions. Of his paper on Aneurism of the Abdominal Aorta Dr. Stokes has said :— “ Our knowledge of the diagnosis of this disease may be safely said to date from the year 1830, when Dr. Beatty, of this city, published his accurate observations on a single case of the disease.” His paper on frottement in peritonitis is also one of great value ; and that on cancer of the uterus has added greatly to our knowledge of this disease. Simpson, too, published many papers on physiology and questions of medico-legal importance. His treatise on acupressure is one the full value of which is not yet known, but already it has opened up questions of great gravity, and modified in a marked manner the practice of surgeons in the treat- ment of wounds. It has been well said of him that “ in scholarship, in antiquarian lore, and in extent of private practice, he had few equals in
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