Removal of a cancerous tumour from below the tongue : with some remarks on the operative surgery of the tongue / by John Paul.

  • Paul, John.
Date:
[1858]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Removal of a cancerous tumour from below the tongue : with some remarks on the operative surgery of the tongue / by John Paul. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    REMOVAL OF A CANCEROUS TUMOUR EROI BELOW THE TONGUE, WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE OPERATIVE SURGERY OF THE TONGUE. By JOHN PAUL, M.D., F.E.C.S.E., SURGEON TO GRAY’S HOSPITAL, ELGIN. [REPRINTED PROM THE EDINBURGH MEDICAL JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 1858.] Peter Bowie, set. 57, was admitted into Gray’s Hospital June 8, 1858, with a tumour under his tongue, extending from the lower jaw to ftbe frsenum linguae, necessarily involving the sublingual gland, and pressing the tongue upwards. It had the cauliflower aspect very distinctly, and, on being pressed or handled, oozed out a little blood. To the feel it was solid, and its base was pretty deep. It was immoveably adherent to the jaw, or at least to the alveoli, for nearly two inches. It was moveable in its other attachments. The front teeth were mostly out, those that remained being quite loose, from softening and absorption of their sockets. There was no enlargement of the sub-maxillary glands, nor infiltration of any of the surrounding tissues. The growth was evidently of a malignant character. The patient’s general health was tolerably good ; no doubt he was of intemperate habits, but in this respect he was im¬ proved of late. It was only ten weeks since he first began to feel some fulness in the part, so that the disease had been rapid in its progress. About this time he had severe pain in one of his front teeth, which was extracted. A slight lancinating pain, however, still remained—felt especially when speaking or swallowing. The gum became swollen and livid ; and this condition of it not only continued, but increased. Viewing the case, then, in all its bearings, the only procedure which held out any prospect of cure, or even of arresting in any