Report on morbus coxarius, or hip disease / by Lewis A. Sayre.

  • Sayre, Lewis A. (Lewis Albert), 1820-1900.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on morbus coxarius, or hip disease / by Lewis A. Sayre. 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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    the capsular apparatus, and irritates its respective structure; but it also reflects most detrimentally upon the general constitution. In this condition the prompt removal of the morbid contents from the joint becomes absolutely necessary, and never fails to give immediate relief of all the most prominent symptoms, and to re- store rest and comfort to the patient. In fact it is the only ano- dyne which will perfectly relieve the pain. In removing this intolerable hydrostatic pressure I simply imi- tate nature, which accomplishes the same result by a spontaneous rupture of the capsule. There are two ways of performing this operation, viz., puncture, as suggested, if I am not mistaken, by Boyer, or subcutaneous inci- sion of the capsule, as recommended by Goyrand, both in hydro- throsis. In the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the joints for the purpose of removing the morbid effusions, and as a direct antiphlo- gistic remedy, Dr. Bauer was the first who employed this method with most happy results. I did the same years ago,1 and other sur- 1 H. Y. Werckmuller, aged 35, of vigorous and robust frame, and had always enjoyed perfect health; while crossing the corner of Broadway and Chambers Street, about the 1st of November, 1855, during the erection of the Shoe and Leather Bank, was struck on the right thigh and hip, by the accidental fall of a large piece of timber, which produced such intense pain at the time, that he was compelled to sit down on the stone steps in the street for more than two hours, before he was enabled to move; and, according to his own description, looking like a drunken man leaning against a post. He walked home, a distance of one block, with great difficulty, and was confined to his bed for three days, suffering great 'pain, principally in the knee. He had no medical advice at the time, but applied fomentations and stimulating liniments to his limb. After the third day he got out of his room, and with some difficulty could walk a little; but the pain in the knee continued for ten or twelve days very severe, and then gradually sub- sided. About the 20th of December he began to feel pain in the hip-joint, and loss of appetite ; this increased very much until the 24th of December; he again took his bed, and was confined until the 4th of January, 1856, when he again got out, and walked for two days, feeling, however, some pain all the time. This exer- cise so aggravated his disease, that his limb began to elongate and turn outward, and stiffen in the joint, and with this change of position, his pain became so intense, that he was compelled to call in medical aid. Dr. Riggs saw him, and looking upon it as a case of rheumatism, treated him accordingly for about six weeks. His symptoms grew constantly worse, and his pain was intense and constant, requiring very free use of opiates. The spasmodic cramps at night were very fre- quent and severe. Entire loss of appetite, and very rapid emaciation. As there was no other joint involved, and the disease seemed rapidly progressing, and yielding to no treatment applied, the doctor began to doubt its rheumatic cha-