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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    The observations made by M. Valleix on this affection are by far the best and most complete with which I am acquainted ; and it is from his writings chiefly that the following description is drawn. At birth, or very shortly afterwards, there is found a tumour situated about the posterior and superior angle of the right parietal bone, although, as in the two cases detailed, it is occasionally met with on the left. The size and form of tho tumour varies much. Sometimes it may be of the size of a bean, at other times as large as the closed hand; sometimes very elevated and circumscribed, at others quite flat, and extending over a large portion of the skull. In a few cases more than one tumour is found.* The colour of the skin covering it is similar to that of the rest of the head, but from being on the stretch it maj appear glazed and smooth. The temperature of the swelling is scarcely greater than that of the rest of the head. Sometimes, on laying the hand flat on the tumour, there is felt a peculiar thrilling sensation; and Nsegele states that he has detected pulsation in two or three instances,—a singular circumstance, and which Burchard confirms by the recital of a case in which pulsations were very evident. But the most striking pecuharity and practical point is the presence of a bony ridge which circumscribes the swelling, and conveys to the touch the idea or feeling of an opening through the cranium. So very evident seems the presence of an opening, that it is only by grouping the other symptoms we can forego the evidence of sense; and even men of science and experience are occasionally led into an erroneous judgment. But in general the bone within this circle can be felt uninjured on pressing the finger firmly from the edge tow^ards the centre. The tumour acquires its full development in a period varying from a few hours to as many days, and it seldom disappears entirely within four or five weeks. Several opinions arc held regarding the cause or causes of this affection, but of these I will only allude to the most im- portant. Some authorities believe that it is a consequence of severe labour or tlie use of instruments during dehvery, while Palettaf saw it almost always after very easy labours. Nsegele still more decidedly tells us that he never saw it after severe instrumental dehveries, but only after those of an easy descrip- tion ; and with Osiander,| he considers that the infants came into the world with the swelling of the head upon them ; and the observations of Siebold, Michachs, Schmitt, Klein,§ and Hdre,|| Najgele, op. cit. , t ExcrciUitioncs Pall.ologicT de Abscess,. Sang. Cinnt., p. ,!:.]. iMcdiol. K.20. + Handbuch der Entbindungskimst. ^ 8 Benierkungen ubcr bi^^her angenmnmene Folgen, &c. btut(g!ir<, 11.1/. II On the Outer and Inner Bloodswelling oF the Skull (ScliadL-lblutgi^clnvulst)