A dissertation on the anomalous cases of disease affecting the rectum and bladder : connected with a constipated state of the bowels, and retention of the urine : submitted to the examination of the provosts, trustees, and medical professors of the University of Pennsylvania, as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by John A. Elkinton, of New Jersey (March 3d, 1822.) ... : April 10th, anno MDCCCXXII.

  • Elkinton, John A.
Date:
October 1822
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on the anomalous cases of disease affecting the rectum and bladder : connected with a constipated state of the bowels, and retention of the urine : submitted to the examination of the provosts, trustees, and medical professors of the University of Pennsylvania, as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by John A. Elkinton, of New Jersey (March 3d, 1822.) ... : April 10th, anno MDCCCXXII. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    him to be laboring under an after.Lion of the bladder. But we can easily comprehend, bow such local con- gesta in the rectum, producing irritation and inflam- mation, might be prapagated to the bladder and pro- duce the phenomena mentioned. From the same cause, the uterine system has been suspected in fern ales, when the primary complaint was traceable to impacted foeces contained in the bowels. There is a description given of this disease in one volume of the London Medical Observations and Enquiries, in which is contained some cases. One of which that occurred to Dr. Fothcrgill, I shall mention here previous to enumerating those which fell to Dr. Parrish. CASE—Dr. Fothergill was called some miles out of London, to see a gentleman who labored under a diarrhoea which resisted all the means, tried by the practitioner in attendance. On discoursing with the patient, observing that he had severe pain and dis- tress, and when be found no relief to follow the li- quid discharges, which were frequent, his views were at once extended to the cause. He stated that he believed it possible, an impacted mass of foeces in the bowels, might be the cause. Impressed with this opinion, he directed the apprentice of the apothecary in attendance, to introduce his finger into the rec- tum. This was done; and it was found that an im- pacted mass of foeces was lodged there, which with his finger and the use of a spoon, he broke down and removed. By this simple expedient, a cure of the diarrhoea, and relief from all unpleasant symp- toms, was speedily effected. In another volume, I believe of the same work, there is recorded the case of a lady, an account of which I cannot give exactly as it may appear there, (not being able to lay my hands on the work lately,) but I have it in my power to give the particulars of her case. CASE—This lady was affected with severe pain, and the symptoms were obscure. At one time the uterus was suspected, at another the bladder, and much was done for her, but she obtained no relief.