A case of chronic polycythaemia with enlarged spleen : probably a disease of the bone-marrow / by F. Parkes Weber and J. H. Watson.

  • Weber, Frederick Parkes, 1863-1962.
Date:
[1904]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A case of chronic polycythaemia with enlarged spleen : probably a disease of the bone-marrow / by F. Parkes Weber and J. H. Watson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Reprinted from Vol RXXV'II of the ' Clinical Society’s Transactions.^ JL. ' I C ,, A Case of Chron ic Pohjci/thseniia withPEnlarged Spleen, gwohahhj a Disease of the Bone-marroiv. By F. Paekes Webee, M.D., F.R.C.P., and J. H. Watson, M.B., B.S. Bead March 11, 1904. HE patient, Gerardus R., a cabinet-maker, set. 58 years, a native of Holland, who since 1871 had lived in Eng- land, was admitted to the German Hospital at the end of November, 1903, complaining of vertigo and inability to do his work properly. He was then found by Dr. Weber to pre- sent the peculiar symptom-complex, chronic cyanosis with enlargement of the spleen, and polycythaemia. Following is, the past history.* He was said formerly always to have had a very ruddy complexion, but during the last six or seven years an iiic^as- ing liability to blueness of the nose and extremities haJ^en observed. He had always been subject to indigestion, consti- pation, headaches, and occasional insomnia. Five years ago he brought up some blood (? heematemesis), and attended as an out-patient at a London hospital, but had no recurrence. At one time he seems to have been treated for stricture. No history of any other illnesses was forthcoming. He had certainly always been strictly moderate in regard to alcohol, and was known to have had a great aversion to intemperance. Of late years he had been subject to giddiness and feelings of weakness in the knees. The giddiness often came on when he got up from a chair or bed, and when he was doing his work. It had prevented him from following his employ- ment during the last year or so. In the latter part of the summer of 1903 he fractured some ribs and was an in-patient from August 31 to Septem- ber 23 at the German Hospital. After leaving the hospital he had some mental trouble (part of his possessions were apparently sold to pay his rent), and ideas of persecution were first noticed. When readmitted to the hospital on No- vember 30 his manner was quite different to what it had been before. He had become extremely emotional. It was Some of it obtained from a daughter of the patient,