Description and explanation of the method of performing post-mortem examinations in the dead-house of the Berlin Charité Hospital : with especial reference to medico-legal practice / by Rudolf Virchow ; translated from the second German edition by T.P. Smith.

Rudolf Virchow

Date:: 1880

Credit: Description and explanation of the method of performing post-mortem examinations in the dead-house of the Berlin Charité Hospital : with especial reference to medico-legal practice / by Rudolf Virchow ; translated from the second German edition by T.P. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$67. At tlie base of tbe brain, very marked congestion of the veins of tbe pia mater, especially at tbe bssure of Sylvius. 68. Tbe pons Yarolii somewbat firmer in consistence, pale on section. 69. Tbe meduUa oblongata very firm, but at tbe same time very pale. 70. Tbere are no injuries to tbe bones at tbe base of tbe skull. On microscopical examination of tbe lungs we find that tbe ends of tbe broncbioles, tbe infundibula, and tbe alveoli are completely packed witb dense accumulations of epithelial ceUs, some of wbieb are full of fine, sbining granules (myelin). On examining tbe brain tbe wbite substance is found to eontain scattered, bighly refractile globular granules; tbe grey substance, numerous pale- grey nucleated cells. Tbis case presents a series of post-mortem appearances of an extremely singulär charaeter. Tbe most important are those wbieb, even at first sigbt, appeared to be con- nected together, viz., tbe oedema of tbe scrotum, tbe oedema of tbe uvula, soft palate, pbarynx, and upper parts of tbe larynx, and likewise tbe cedema of the brain. All these, ])arts were found to eontain a clear but yellowisb fiuid abundant in quantity, and removable by pressure ; in tbe brain tbe yellow colour somewbat less marked, but unusually decided in tbe scrotum and uvula. Tbere can be no doubt as to the acute nature of these appearances. But wbat is tbeir import ? The absence of venous byper- sßinia in tbe affected parts is most decisive evidence against attributing the appearances to efiusion, tbe results of passive congestion. We may, bowever, witb some sbow of truth, refer tbe sjTuptoms to a general dropsy. If we consider by itself tbe state of tbe soft palate, pbarynx and larynx, tbere need be no scruple about designating it as acute laryngo-pharyngeal oedema. Tbis oedema, bowever, belongs to tbe dass of tbe so-called active processes; as a$