Volume 1
Descriptive catalogue of the pathological specimens contained in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
- Royal College of Surgeons of England. Museum.
- Date:
- 1846-9
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Descriptive catalogue of the pathological specimens contained in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![shown themselves subsequently to the appearance of the large tumour in the thigh. The patient was almost worn out by pain and want of rest; he was excessively emaciated with profuse foetid perspiration. I considered the case quite hopeless, not only from the multiplication of the external swellings, but also from the probability that disease had occurred in internal organs. To Sir W. Blizard it appeared in a light rather less unfavourable: he thought there was a chance of success from amputation, and he per- formed the operation two days afterwards (March, 1819). This was half a year after the first appearance of the swelling. The more serious and distressing symptoms were immediately relieved, and the patient eventually recovered.* The tumour in tlie eye- brow, which had increased and become painful, was removed in 1825. In December, 1828, I was consulted by this gentleman on account of a tumour in the fore-arm as large as a walnut, situated over the course of the ulnar nerve, and causing severe pain with indescribable sensations, like electric shocks, upwards and downwards in the direction of that nerve. He had enjoyed tolerable health, without being strong. At this time he was nervous and irritable, with an anxious countenance and an aged appearance. I removed the disease in February, 1829: it was situated between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the bone, and the nerve adhered so closely to it that a portion was removed with the tumour. The latter was of firm texture, but not so hard as scirrhus. [It is preserved in No. 2184.] The part healed favourably, and remains well. The patient again came to me in December, 1830, on account of a tumour, the size of a goose egg, imbedded in the flesh of the stump. He had not been aware of its existence when the last operation was performed ; and it had become troublesome only during the preceding six weeks. He now experienced most severe shooting pains in the part, with repeated recurrence of the electric dartings from the stump into the body. I removed the tumour, finding it necessary to make a large incision on account of its size and its deep situation. The growth, although it had been loose and felt cir- cumscribed, appeared to be prolonged to the tuber ischii, and I removed it up to the bone. The part removed [and preserved in No. 302] consisted of a circumscribed oval tumour, and of a firm fibrous prolongation connected to it externally, and consisting of one of the flexors of the knee, which had been divided in the amputation, converted into a tough fibrous texture of light brown tint. The swelling was covered with a thin white capsule, and was homogeneous: in compactness, toughness, and colour, it approached to the character of scirrhus. The extensive wound of this operation healed without any unfavourable occurrence. The pelvic and dorsal tumours remain nearly as they were twelve years ago. Several small ■subcutaneous knots can be felt in the arms and head, by passing the hand firmly over the surface; but they are less than when the thigh was amputated. There are a few small softisli cutaneous growths in the face. The appetite, health, and strength are tolerably good ; but there is of late increase of suffering. -Strange sensa- tions, sudden dartings and shootings occasioning convulsive movements, and compared to the effects of electricity, are often experienced. * Part of the sciatic nerve, removed from tiie amputated limb, is preserved in No. 2183. It presents numerous swellings, like ganglia, formed of fibro-cellular tissue, and investing its filaments.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24758139_0001_0156.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
