The post-mortem diagnosis of yellow fever / by Harald Seidelin.

  • Seidelin, Harald.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The post-mortem diagnosis of yellow fever / by Harald Seidelin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    poisoning with fungi present, according to Dixon Mann (1908), a striking resemblance to those observed in yellow fever, but diagnostic difficulties are not likely to arise, as the clinical symptoms are different and the etiology will generally be known. However, it is well to remember that here hes a possibility of mistake. Otto (1907) says that the aspect of the stomach in yellow fever cases may be very similar to that observed in potassium cyanide-poisoning, but in reality the question of differential diagnosis does not arise, since the anatomical lesions of other organs are quite different. It is of interest that an alkaline reaction of the stomach contents must be expected in cases of this poisoning, according to Dixon Mann (1908), whilst it is nearly always acid in yellow fever cases, as mentioned before. Acute gastro-enteritis, which plays some réle in discussions on the clinical diagnosis of yellow fever, is also mentioned occasionally as a possibility at the post-mortem. Few pathologists would, however, accept that diagnosis without further qualification, when such severe lesions are present as those described in yellow fever. Amongst the ulcerative processes which are observed in the stomach, the ordinary gastric ulcer would hardly be introduced into a discussion on the diagnosis of yellow fever, but superficial erosions, as described by Dieulafoy and others, might well be considered. The anatomical conditions in such cases differ considerably from those observed in yellow fever, in that hyperaemia and ecchymoses may be absent or but slightly developed, whilst in yellow fever erosions are seen only in cases with severe haemorrhagic gastritis. The simple erosions do not cause death except by acute haemorrhage, and the autopsy in such a case would show the presence in the stomach of a considerable amount of pure blood, contrary to what we have seen to be the case in yellow fever; moreover, no alterations of liver and kidney are observed sana to those in yellow fever. 1 have never performed the autopsy in a case of yellow
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