Acute cerebral meningitis, or hydrocephalus / by C. Evans Reeves.

  • Reeves, C. E. (Charles Evans), 1828-1880.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Acute cerebral meningitis, or hydrocephalus / by C. Evans Reeves. 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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    Sinuses and vessels on surface of the brain injected; pia mater the same. At the base, concrete pus existed, extending from the fissm-es of sylvius to the annular protuberance; minute tubercles existed in this part. The lateral ventricles contained about 3 ounces of serum; the septum lucidum, fornix, and great commis- sure, were softened, particularly the two first. The brain, both cortical and medullary parts, were deeper coloured than usual; the nerves at the base of the brain the same. Tubercles existed in the lungs, bronchial, cervical, and mesenteric glands; the mucous membrane of ihe stomach easily detached; that of the intestines congested, and in parts ulcerated. XVI. The disease set in during remittent fever. For 3 or 4 days before seen had been suffering from headache and vomiting. When seen, was emaciated, disinclined to motion ; bowels con- fined, abdomen tense. Pulse 100, skin rather harsh and hot, urine turbid. In the evening there was an aggravation of these symptoms; the pulse rose to 130, and there was delirium. Warm bath, calomel and jalap, followed by henbane and hydrocyanic acid. 2nd day—Much better. Seen again on evening of fifth day. Then there was marked fever, headache, cries, alternating with stupor and muttering, dilated pupils, and intolerance of light. Pulse 140. Warm bath, followed by relief; calomel and digitalis. 6th—Pulse 100, skin cooler; stupor and pupils the same. Leeches. Evening—An access of fever as before. Warm bath. 7th — Stupor rather more pronounced ; cries frequent. Left pu])il more dilated than right, right lid falling; strabismus of tliis eye; right leg and arm seemed to be moved with, difficulty. Evening—An access of fever. 8th, Morning—An access of fever. Arm and leg motionless; face and eyes convulsed at times. Death in evening, during the access of fever, fi'om convulsion.s. Sinuses anrLvessels of brain injected ; pia mater injected. This was particularly the case around sotne irregular patches of minute tubercles on the anterior, middle, and posterior lobes of one hemi- sphere ; the arachnoid adhered at the points where the tubercles existed. Tubercles existed in the fissures of sylvius and false membranes, and serum at the base. The lateral ventricles con- tained half^ an ounce of serum; the left corpus striatum was softened superficially ; the septum lucidum, fornix, and cerebellum softened, particulariy the last. Tubercles existed in the lungs; the cervical, broncliial, and mesenteric glands, were enlarged, and the mucous membrane of the stomach, ileum, and coecum, injected. XVIL The discnse set in during remittent fever. Wiien seen, tliere was frequent vomiting, fever, headache, thirst, clay-cnlourod.