On local asphyxia and symmetrical gangrene of the extremities / by Maurice Raynaud ; translated by Thomas Barlow.

  • Raynaud, Maurice R., 1834-1881.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On local asphyxia and symmetrical gangrene of the extremities / by Maurice Raynaud ; translated by Thomas Barlow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    94/206 (page 88)
    small and rapid. The discased extremities preseuted a glacial cold to tbe touch, the coloured portions Lad lost ail sensibility, but above tbe coloured limit tbey were very sensitive. Tbe cartilages of tbe ears began to sbow tbe same morbid conditions. Tbcre was constipation, and tbe quantity of urine passed was very small. Tbe woman succumbed two montbs after ber admission to the hospital, in spite of stimulants, ojiium, nutritious diet, &c. Post-mortem examination sbowed engorgement of ail tbe venons System by dark, tbick blood, wbilst tbe arterial truuks were almost empty. Tbe fémoral and brachial arteries were examined, and presented notbing wbicb differed from tbe normal appearance, except tbat tbey were adhèrent to tbe boue, and closed at tbe line of démarcation. Lungs bealtby. Tbe beart sbowed a tendcucy to fatty degeneration. Tbe liver large, cirrbotic. Tbe otber organs were bealtby. In discussing tbe nature of tbe disease in question, Dr. Henry considered tbat it sbowed great resemblance, if not complété confonnity witb gangrenons ergotism, and uevertbeless be believed tbat it was a new aflection. Against tbe view tbat it was a case of gangrenons ergotism be gives tbe statement of tbe patient, wbo affirmed tbat sbe bad always bad good food, and bad ne ver eaten bread of bad quality. In tbe absence of any otber cause Dr. Henry bolds tbat tbe gangrené declared itself spontaueously as a sequel of tbe exbaustiou of tbe constitution induced by debauebery. Wbat a pity tbat tbis autopsy sbould be uuiutelligible at tbe very point wbicb interests us ! Wbat is meant by arteries normal but adhèrent to tbe boue, and closed along tbe line of démarcation ? Was tbere a dot or only a simple retraction of tbe vessel on itself ? Case XVIII.*—Spontaneous (janfjrcne of the two feet. Death. Autopsy. Contraction of the mitral orifice and narrowness of the arterial System. M. Godin sbowed tbe arterial System of a woman aged 25 ycars wbo bad succumbed to a spontaneous'gangrene of botb feet, brougbt on wûtbout any otber cause giving rise to it tban au excessive cold experienced during tbe nigbt of tbe 25tb of Dccembcr, 1835. Tbis woman bad always been tbm, and ou * Taken from the Bulletins de la Société anatomique, 1836, T. xi., p. 109.