Case of hypertrophy of the spleen and liver, which death took place from suppuration of the blood / by John Hughes Bennett.

  • John Hughes Bennett
Date:
[1845?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of hypertrophy of the spleen and liver, which death took place from suppuration of the blood / by John Hughes Bennett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    The purulent collections in the heart and blood-vessels describe d b y Gendin and Andral are considered by him to be 6brin sof- tened in this manner. Again, we know that the blood in a state of health contains a number of colourless corpuscles, which closely resemble those of pus. Hence has latterly arisen the opinion, that the isolated pus corpuscles described by some authors were only the normal structures of the blood, and that, where after death large intra-vascular collections of purulent-looking matter were discovered, they were caused by softened colourless coagula. In the present state of our knowledge, then, as regards this subject, the following case seems to me particularly valuable, as it will serve to demonstrate the existence of true pus, formed universally within the vascular system, independent of any local purulent collection from which it could be derived. The indivi- dual entered the clinical ward of the Infirmary under Dr Chris- tison, to whom I am indebted for the history of the case. The post mortem examination, and microscopic investigation were con- ducted with the greatest care by myself, and my assistant Mr Morris. John Menteith, aged 28, a slater, married, admitted into the clinical ward of the Royal Infirmary, February 27, 1845. He is of dark complexion, usually healthy and temperate ; states that twenty months ago he was affected with great listlessness on ex- ertion, which has continued to this time. In June last he noticed a tumour in the left side of the abdomen, which has gradually in- creased in size till four months since, when it became stationary. It was never painful till last week, after the application of three blisters to it j since then several other small tumours have appeared in his neck, axillae, and groins, at first attended with a sharp pain, which has now, however, disappeared from all of them. Before he noticed the tumour he had frequently vomiting in the morning. The bowels arc usually constipated, appetite good, is not subject to indigestion, has had no vomiting since he noticed the tumour. Has used chiefly purgative medicines, especially croton oil, has employed friction with a liniment, and had the tumour blis- tered. At present there appears a large tumour, extending from the ribs to the groin, and from the spinal column to the umbilicus, lying on the left side. It is painful on pressure near its upper part only. Percussion is dull over the tumour ; pulse 90 ; states that for three months past he has not lost in strength. There is slight oedema. To have two pills of iodide of iron morning and evening. March 1. Urine of yesterday somewhat turbid when just pas- sed, natural in colour, acid to litmus; sp. gr. 1013. Sediment presents cubic crystals under the microscope, disap])cars almost