On sanguineous tumours on the heads of new-born infants / by James M. Adams.

  • James Maxwell Adams
Date:
[1844]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On sanguineous tumours on the heads of new-born infants / by James M. Adams. 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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    TUIMOUIJS ON THE HEAPS OF ]SE)y-J50RN IXEAM'S. mine what the mother and friends called a hole in the child k skull, and regarding which they felt much alarm. I found a small soft fluctuating tumour, about an inch and a quarter in diameter, half an inch elevated above the surrounding integu- ments, and situated over the superior and posterior portion of the left parietal bone. The skin covering it was smooth, glazed, and of a slightly livid colour. The tumour was circumscribed by, as I thinlv, a sharp abrupt ridge of bone, which, on a partial examination, seemed to mark the boundary of an opening through the skull. But on a more accurate inspection, and on pressing the finger inwards from the circumference towards the centre, the bone could be felt, though indistmctly. This last circum- stance, independently of the absence of pulsation and other diag- nostics, sufficiently proved the non-existence of a communication with the interior of the skull. Being satisfied that it was a case of cephalhsematoma, I gave a favourable opinion, and prescribed an evaporating lotion, conjoined with slight pressure by means of a bandage. In httle more than three weeks the soft tumour had entirely disappeared, but the boss of the parietal bone felt more elevated than the corresponding one. In a few months afterwards there was no appreciable difference between the two sides of the head. Case II.—Another tumour of the same description occurred in the practice of my friend Dr Menzies, who kindly allowed me to watch its progress along with him. The child, a healthy male, was born INIay 12, 1844, after a labour of twelve hours, of wliich the first stage occupied ten and a half, it being a first labour. The second stage Avas hastened by the administration of a half ounce dose of ergot of rye. Im- mediately after the birth of the child, a considerable tumour, seated over the centre of the left parietal bone, was observed; but bemg considered one of the ordinary simple tumours, it was not examined. About a fortnight afterwards, Dr M.'s attention was called to it, the friends being alarmed at its continuance. At this period it was persistent, looked more elevated but less diffused than when first seen, and had the shape and size of half a small orange. There was a marked feehng of an aperture of the same dimensions in the bone, and several spiculse seemed to project inwards from the circumference. From its smgularity, Dr M. mentioned the case to me in the course of conversation; and on 2d June I visited the child along with him. At that date I took the following notes:— The tumour is 1^ mch in dia- meter, and is elevated fully an inch. It is distinct y circum- scribed. The skin covering it is slightly tense and hot, but is not altered in colour. At the circumference there is a distmct ridge, apparently of bone, and having several spicul* projecting towards the centre ; and to the touch there cannot be conveyed a more conclusive sensation of the existence ot an aperture m the