A case of cerebral neuralgia terminating fatally by serous apoplexy : with remarks on the occurrence of serous apoplexy / by J. Da Costa.

  • Jacob Mendes Da Costa
Date:
March, 1859
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case of cerebral neuralgia terminating fatally by serous apoplexy : with remarks on the occurrence of serous apoplexy / by J. Da Costa. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    so experienced and skilled in such matters as Ricord ? Lis- franc, in his Lectures on Diseases of the Uterus, makes no mention of chancre of the uterus; the inference therefore is, that he never saw a case of it. This fact, however, is not so remarkable; for, although Lisfranc had as much, if not more experience, than any man of his day, in this branch of prac- tice, the speculum was not in vogue then as it is at the pre- sent time. The speculum being the only means by which a correct diagnosis can be formed of organic uterine affections, and may we not include most of the functional disorders, for many of them have their origin in some organic lesion of the viscus, it is not strange that a man, even with Lisfranc's op- portunities, who made little or no use of the speculum, should fail to see cases of chancre of the uterus. This very rare affec- tion, whenever seen, must be viewed through the blades of tho speculum. Bennet, Physician Accoucheur to the Western General Dispensary, in London, and formerly House Physician (by concours) to the Hospitals Notre Dame de la Pitie, and La Salpetriere, in Paris, mentions but three or four cases as having occurred in the whole of his career. Columbat, Ash well and West have all had most ample experience in tho investigation and treatment of uterine diseases, and they have added to the literature of the medical profession very able volumes on the subject, but neither of them reports a case of chancre on the uterus. Why it is that uterine chancre is of so very rare occur- rence ? is a question of much interest, and calls for a good deal of conjecture and speculation. Can it be, as has been contended by some, that its peculiar characteristics are so modified by the locality as to change entirely the appearance of the ulcer, thereby deceiving the eye of an experienced practitioner, and causing him to mistake it for an affection altogether different in its nature and consequences. Gibert, whose opinion it must be allowed is entitled to great respect in matters of this kind has expressed himself to this effect. With deference to Gibert and other distinguished advocates of his views, we must be allowed to affirm our inability to see any ground on which such an opinion can be based.