Zymotic diseases : their correlation and causation / By A. Wolff.

  • Wolff, Abraham, 1819-1892.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Zymotic diseases : their correlation and causation / By A. Wolff. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    texture is less firm than after death from other causes. This softening of muscular tissue is most marked in the heart, and all observers are agreed that the muscular texture of this organ is much softened after death from typhus; indeed, this is, perhaps, with the exception of the alteration in the blood, the most decided and constant post-mortem appearance. The substance of the heart is said to be flabby, soft, and easily torn, and Dr. Murchison says that under the microscope these softened hearts exhibit all the appearance of well-defined fatty degeneration.* The lungs are generally found to be congested. The brain shows a remarkable freedom from structural change, notwithstanding the prominence of head symptoms during life. Sub-arachnoid effusion is, however, often present. There is no special appearance in the stomach and intestines. The kidneys and liver are generally found gorged with fluid blood, and not unusually exhibit signs . of disintegration in being softer than natural, and their substance easily broken down. The blood is much changed in typhus fever; it is dark and fluid ; such clots as are found, instead of being firm in substance and pale in colour, are * The particulars as to post-mortem appearances are from ob- servations made by Jenner, Murchison, Peacock, and others.