Dermoid cyst of the ovary / by Jas. A. Grant.

  • Grant, J. A. (James Alexander), 1831-1920.
Date:
[1878?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dermoid cyst of the ovary / by Jas. A. Grant. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    I 1 ckolestearine, Laving a glittering appearance, the whole satu- rated in a thick quasi-gelatinous fluid, quite devoid of odor. Remarks.—During the progress of this case but two import- ant complications took place : septicsemic symptoms and dysentery. September 23rd, on entering the hospital ward there was an unpleasant odor from the discharge, which was of a dai’k brown fluid character, and more copious than usual. During the night of the 25th September, there was also an attack simulating unilateral mumps. Temperature 103° ; pulse 9t); all of which pointed to septic poisoning. On careful examination, moderate bulging was observed below the left hypochondriac region, and on Arm pressure over this space, quite a quantity of foetid, thin, dark-colored matter escaped, both through the tube and the opening, the patient at the same time being turned upon her side, so as to make the drainage as efficient as possible. At this stage of the case the stomach was very irritable, and even the milk diet was retained with considerable difficulty. By constant care and frequent dressing, the septicsemic symptoms yielded and the swelling in the neck gradually subsided by the application of warm poultices. The dysenteuic attack, which took place on the 18th October, was only of short duration and gradually yielded to treatment. The daily register of the House Surgeon, Dr. McKinnon, conveys more than I could otherwise express. The history of this case, from the fact that on three separate occasions a quantity of ■fluid escaped, by a communication established through the t abdominal walls, evidently pointed towards “ dermoid cyst of the ovary. This, however, I had not anticipated, and having been taken unawares, had recourse to the method of treatment adopted under the circumstances. Barnes’ Clinical History (Diseases of Women,) p. 338, says: “ So long as the fluid is confined in the ovarian cyst it is beyond the influence of absorption.” The converse, however, is not unlikely, when suppuration takes place after operation, as in the present instance. The transmission of septic influence to distant parts, such as the glands of the neck, (the peritoneum, on which the very sac rests, being thus passed over,) is a point of much i