Clinical lecture on the obliteration of varicose veins, and the sources of danger involved in that operation : delivered at King's College Hospital / by Henry Lee.

  • Lee, Henry, F.R.C.S.
Date:
1853
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Clinical lecture on the obliteration of varicose veins, and the sources of danger involved in that operation : delivered at King's College Hospital / by Henry Lee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    however, any distinct ideas having been given as to the real source of danger in such cases. In pursuing some investigations relative to this subject, I was induced to believe that the decomposed and putrid fibrine of the blood was the real cause of the very serious symptoms in these cases; but, being at a loss to know what the eifects of putrid fibrine were upon the animal system, and having been able to obtain no information upon this subject from any published work that 1 was acquainted with, I determined to try what the result of the introduc- tion of such a fluid into the vascular system would be. Accordingly, having obtained the assistance of a veterinary surgeon, and having obtained some fibrine in a very putrid condition, I caused an ounce of the decomposed fluid, mixed with an equal quantity of water, to be injected into the jugular vein of a donkey. The fluid passed without obstruc- tion into the course of the circulation, and in a few moments the animal gave three or four groans expressive of great distress. The vital powers appeared to be suddenly pro- strated ; the animal lay unable to rise, and soon fell into a state of syncope. This lasted a few minutes. On getting up, the animal reeled and staggered about, but subsequently recovered sufliciently to walk to his stable. Some re-action now commenced; the breathing was disturbed, short, and quick; the pulse, which naturally beats about 36 in the minute, rose to 120. These symptoms continued about an hour and a half. After this, the animal became very restless and uneasy, and evinced internal pain by groaning and looking at his side. The animal died four hours after the operation. On a post-mortem examination, the jugular vein, into which the decomposed fluid had been injected, was found in its natural condition, and partially distended with fluid blood. It was pervious throughout its whole length, and contained no coagula. The lungs were found studded with irregularly-circumscribed soft black patches. When cut into, these discharged a blackish fluid, having the appearance of a mixture of blood and ink, and of a strong putrid smell. The coecum and colon, and a portion of the small intestines, were deeply congested, and of a dark livid colour. In this instance, the decomposed fibrine evidently acted as a most virulent poison upon the system. In fact, there are few animal poisons known which would produce such serious effects in the same space of time. But it will be asked, if such serious effects follow the introduction of putrid fibrine into the circulating system, how is it that these results are not oftener manifested, seeing that the blood must constantly be liable to its influence ? This must constantly