On the microscopical diagnosis of benign and malignant growths of the cervix uteri / by H.G. Plimmer.

  • Plimmer, H. G. (Henry George), -1918.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the microscopical diagnosis of benign and malignant growths of the cervix uteri / by H.G. Plimmer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    On the Microscopical Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Growths of the Cervix Uteri. By H. G. Plimmer, F.L.S., F.R.M.S. I . The time has come when the older signs, by which it was I thought practicable to distinguish between benign and malig¬ nant tumours of the cervix uteri, are no longer regarded as I conclusive, and the microscope is now alone relied upon to I determine the exact nature of doubtful growths. Schroder says that the therapeutics of cancer of the uterus I consist in the total extirpation of the organ ; and as this | operation is a very grave one in any case, and a mutilation if not required, it behoves us to be extremely careful as to the j accuracy of our diagnosis before deciding upon operative treatment. The difficulties of exact diagnosis are often very great, even when modern microscopical methods are added to clinical acumen and experience; so that, in the early stages I” of the disease at any rate, mistakes not infrequently occur. There is, unfortunately, no one method of diagnosis, either clinical or histological, it being only by an exact adjust¬ ment of the two that a right interpretation of the symptoms I and physical signs of any new growth in its early stage can I be arrived at. Of the clinical aspect of these cases I shall not 1 speak. The various clinical signs are much better known I] and classified than the corresponding histological changes in I the tissues, but a microscopic examination ought always to be made in any case which is not quite certainly clear. I shall try to indicate the characteristics of the various new growths, and the difficulties and possibilities of error in dia- i gnosing them one from the other; and to point out those IIways by which such errors may be avoided. To show that