Researches on the pathology of the intestinal canal ... / [John Abercrombie].

  • John Abercrombie
Date:
[1820?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches on the pathology of the intestinal canal ... / [John Abercrombie]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/86 page 8
    I. The disease may be fatal in this state of over distention, without inflammation. Case 1.—A man, aged 40, (a shoemaker,) had been for some time af¬ fected with slight symptoms which were referred to the liver. On the 25(h of August 1814, he was seized with an attack resembling cho¬ lera, which, aftersome medicine that was given him, was speedily suc¬ ceeded by the usual symptoms of Ileus. He had severe pain of the ab¬ domen ; urgentVomiting ; and costiveness ; his pulse was generally about 96, and at last rose to 120. The pain was at times increased by pres¬ sure, but not uniformly so. lie was twice bled, and the other usual remedies were employed without avail. He died on the 30th. I saw him for the first time on the 30th, when he was moribund. His bowels had been freely moved by medicine on the 29th. Dissection.—The lower part of the right lobe of the liver was un¬ usually soft. '1 he only other morbid appearance was a considerable part of the intestinal canal in a state of great distention, without in¬ flammation. This is perhaps an unusual termination of the disease in adults, but I believe infants are frequently cut off in this man¬ ner, by the mere interruption of the healthy action of the intes¬ tinal canal. II. The disease may be fatal with recent inflammation, without gangrene, or any of its other consequences. Case 2.—A woman, aged 20, (23d June 1813,) was affected with violent pain of the upper part of the abdomen and towards the left side, at times increased by pressure, and varying considerably in its degree of severity; frequentand violent vomiting; obstinate costiveness; belly tumid and tense ; tongue white ; pulse 76, and rather small. On the 16th she got wet during the flow of the catamenia, which ceased, but returned at night; pain about the umbilicus began on the 17th, and increased gradually ; vomiting began on the 21st, with hiccup. Blood-letting ; blistering; various purgatives; injections; warm baths, &c. were employed by a physician of eminence. 24th. Incessant screaming from the violence of pain ; every medi¬ cine vomited instantly ; pulse 88, and rather small ; frequent hiccup ; pain increased on pressure ; no stool. 25th. No stool; pain almost gone; every thing vomited ; pulse very feeble. 26th. No stool ; free from pain ; vomiting continued, with hiccup. Died in the night. Dissection.—The whole of the colon, and about 12 inches of the lower extremity of the ileum, were empty, contracted, of a white co¬ lour, and seemed perfectly healthy. The remainder of the small in¬ testine was distended to the greatest degree, and appeared thin and trans¬ parent. It contained chiefly watery matter and air. On the surface of the distended part there was in several places considerable inflammation, especially at the lower part, near the contracted portion. These parts were of a vivid red colour, without any tendency to gangrene, 4
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image