Hemorrhoids and prolapsus of the rectum : their treatment by the application of nitric acid / by Henry Smith.

  • Smith, Henry, 1823-1894.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hemorrhoids and prolapsus of the rectum : their treatment by the application of nitric acid / by Henry Smith. 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.

    43/46 (page 45)
    March 6th.—The prolapsus being the same, I applied the nitric acid to the part pretty freely. 9th.—He came to my house, having retention of urine again; I relieved him with the catheter; the gut was much prolapsed. 10th.—I applied the nitric acid very freely, and re- turned it within the sphincter. 11th.—This gentleman again called, having reten- tion, not having passed anything since the acid was applied; the gut was only slightly prolapsed. I passed the catheter, replaced the gut, ordered him to keep quiet, and take nixxv. of liquor opii sedativi. 12th.—No more retention; he says the gut only comes down very slightly now, and on examination it is very difiicult to see more than a very small prolapsed portion. To this I applied the acid again. I repeated this once on the 16th, and he called in a few days to say that he was quite well. It is not necessary for me to relate more cases, as those detailed show that prolapsus of the rectum may, as well as internal hemorrhoids, be cured without any other operation than the judicious employment of nitric acid. It is quite surprising to see the extraor- dinary comfort which one or two applications of this agent will give to patients who have been suffering years of misery.' It wi]l supersede the use of those atrocious pessaries and supports which patients every now and then bring out of their pockets to show us.