Extensive ravages from lupus, with subsequent cicatrization, leaving but one small hole in the face which represents both mouth and nose, and with complete closure of the anterior nasal orifices / by Julian J. Chisholm.

  • Chisolm, Julian John, 1830-1903.
Date:
[1882]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Extensive ravages from lupus, with subsequent cicatrization, leaving but one small hole in the face which represents both mouth and nose, and with complete closure of the anterior nasal orifices / by Julian J. Chisholm. 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 disease seemed to become quiescent, and for many years gave but little annoyance. In the meantime the girl developed to womanhood, and at the age of 21 was married. As time advanced she became the mother of eight healthy children. Four years after marriage the edges of the opening in the roof of the mouth began to ulcerate, and steadily, although slowly, en- larged in all directions. By erosion the entire hard palate was destroyed, and with the disappearance of the roof of the mouth the nasal and buccal cavities became one common excavation. The ulcerative process could not have restricted itself to the palate process alone, as she has lost every tooth from both upper and lower jaw. Active medical treatment was instituted, and was changed from time to time when it proved ineffective : but all to no purpose. The limits of the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose could not restrain the ulcerative process. From the anterior nasal orifices it crept out on the face, and for some months con- tinued its ravages in spite of treatment, eating away the soft parts of the nose and spreading widely over the cheeks, until the whole face, from ear to ear and from forehead to chin, was one huge ulcer. Her appearance when the disease was at its height must have been fearful to behold, and her suffering intense. How far this destructive process would have extended was hard to foresee. Suddenly, after eight months of steady progress, and while she was still undergoing active internal medication, the disease was arrested. To the surprise of her physicians the ulcerative sur- faces began to clear off and cicatrization commenced. The heal- ing process continued without interruption for three long years, when the scarring finally became complete. She had then at- tained the age of 28. From that time the face has shown no dis- position to renew the ulceration ; and now, after 23 years, and at the age of 51, she still calls herself a healthy woman. It was anxiety on account of her eyesight that induced her, at this late day, to leave her country home and seek medical advice in Baltimore. Accustomed to see all kinds of facial deformities the appearance of this horrible face startled me, when for the first time she took off her veil and exposed it to view. It was a hideous mask, with- out expression ; a blank face deprived of features and incapable of exhibiting any emotion whatever. From the forehead to the chin, or I may say even to the throat, and from ear to ear, there