Researches on the pathology of the intestinal canal. Part I / by John Abercrombie.
- Date:
- [1820]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Researches on the pathology of the intestinal canal. Part I / by John Abercrombie. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
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![which are found in the distended intestine in these cases, are probably separated from the stagnant matters contained in it, and, not being thrown off, must prove a powerful cause of dis- tention. II. Suppose the series of contractions and dilatations to be propagated downwards as before, and that, from some cause, ]So. 6 is rendered incapable of the same degree of dilatation as the other parts, though without being by any means actually obstructed.—The effect here will vary according to circum- stances. From the state of the action in general, and the usual quantity of contents, it may happen that, in ordinary cases, no greater degree of dilatation is required than No. 6 is capable of transmitting, and the process will go on without interruption. But if, from an increased quantity of contents at a particular time, or an accidental accumulation of flatus, a greater degree of distention shall be communicated to No. 5 than No. 6 is capable of, then, an interruption will take place in No. 5 in the same manner as in the former case,—and the parts above continuing to act, it will be in danger of being over distended. I he interruption may be temporary,—may frequently take place, and be soon removed, until at length, from some cause which eludes our observation, it terminates in perfect ileus. This form of the disease is strikingly illustrated in Cases 9 and 10, in which it is to be particularly observed, that there was no mechanical obstruction. In such cases also, it is to be remark- ed, that a certain quantity of the contents may pass through, as occurred in Case 19, and probably in Case 9. In Cases 9 and 10, the cause was evidently of long standing. Ca.ses 11 and 12 exhibit remarkable examples of the aflection from causes of a more recent kind. This form of the disease may also arise from organic contractions of a mechanical nature, as in Cases 13 and 14, in which the contraction had gone on, producing little inconvenience, until it terminated at length in fatal ileus. Ihis modification -of the disease may also be fatal by gradual exhaustion, without perfect ileus, as in Cases 19 and 20. manner, 1 conceive, is formed the paroxysm of ileus, rhe farther progress of the affection varies in diflerent cases. After a certain period, the parts may recover their healthy re- lations, and the disease be removed,—or it may continue till an extensive portion has been paralysed by over distention, and t le case probably becomes irremediable. There is reason to e teve, that it may in this state be fatal, without farther dis- ease ; but the common progress of it is to inflammation and its consequences. We cannot explain this phenomenon •, but wc ■now, that all parts that are rapidly distended are liable to in-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2197231x_0009.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
