Selected monographs.

  • Kussmaul, Adolf, 1822-1902.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Selected monographs. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    animal is but little affected, nor does it exhibit any symptoms of stupefaction or paralysis. 4 21 o'clock.—The left subclavian artery is compressed; six seconds afterwards general convulsions occur. 4'24.—The removal of the brain by means of a spoon and scissors is commenced; and At 4*28 both hemispheres of the cerebrum, the corpus callosum, the fornix, and both corpora striata, had been entirely removed, as the post-mortem examination afterwards confirms. The tractus opticus and the optic nerves are well protected on both sides, as well as the tuber cinereum. The incision has been made exactly on the anterior limit of the thalami optici and downwards along the optic nerves. The pineal gland is torn off. During the removal of the brain the animal, although not tied, did not make any convulsive move- ment or attempt to escape, nor show any sign of suffering, but appeared greatly stupefied, and fell down. Put upon its legs, it was still able to stand, though no longer with its former strength; and, laid down upon the floor, it remained quietly, and all of a heap, without making any effort to escape. The loss of blood during the removal of the brain was extremely small, perhaps half a drachm altogether. Some drops of blood gradually collected afterwards in the anterior cavity of the sknll. 4'32-—Compression of the left subclavian artery. Pive seconds afterwards strong convulsive shocks succeed; compression is sus- pended, and the animal sinks again into a fainting state. 4-37.—Compression of the left subclavian artery. After five seconds a violent attack of spasms commences, in which the animal is seized with premature labour and expels two fcetuses, one of which tries to breathe. Upon relaxing the compression it utters slow moans during the act of parturition. 4*40-—The ligatiu-e on the innominate is relaxed in order to supply the brain with more blood. The fundi of the eyes become darker; very little blood is lost within the skull, but the animal does not recover from its state of faintness. 4*48 •—^The innominate is wounded and the animal dies from haemorrhage. Previous to death, and seventy seconds after the infliction of the wound, general convulsions of the most violent description come on, so that the animal is thrown from the table, and for fifty seconds struggles convulsed on the floor. 4-50.—^The last respirations take place. Not a drop of blood