Case of aneurism of the aorta, arising from the back part of the arch, simulating laryngeal disease, and fatal by suffocation / by W.T. Gairdner.

  • Gairdner, W. T. (William Tennant), Sir, 1824-1907.
Date:
[1851]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of aneurism of the aorta, arising from the back part of the arch, simulating laryngeal disease, and fatal by suffocation / by W.T. Gairdner. 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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    CASE OF ANEURISM OF TH&AOETA, ARISING FROM THE BACK PART OF THE ARCH, SIMULATING LARYNGEAL DISEASE, AND FATAL BY SUFFOCATION. By W. T. GAIRDNER, M.D., F.R.C.P., PATHOLOGIST ASD A8S18TANT.PHY8ICIAS TO THE ROYAL INFIRMARY OF EDUmBRGH. [repbinted, with an additional note, from the monthly joubnal of medicai. science, for august 1851.] i^Read to the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh, ISth June 1851.) The following case of aneurism of the aorta is interesting, 1st, from the absence of physical signs, and the prominence of the symptoms of a laryngeal affection; 2d, from the free communication of the sac with a mucous canal, without causing serious hemorrhage; 3d, from the termination of the disease by suffocation, and the remedial mea- sures suggested by this termination. On these grounds I beg to lay it before the Medico-Chirurgical Society, along with a prepara- tion showing the parts involved in the disease. Thomas O'Brien, ast. 46, a robust labourer, was admitted into the hospital at the hour of visit on the 30th May 1851. He com- plained of great dyspnoea, which, in the recumbent posture, was so extreme as to threaten suffocation. The breathing was sonorous, with a distinctly stridulous character on inspiration. The countenance anxious and flushed; no fever or pain complained of. Expectora- tion considerable; the chest was examined as well as his state per- mitted, and revealed only slight bronchitic rales, the harsh laryngeal breathing being heard over all the bronchi. The voice was evidently produced with effort, scarcely husky, but having a somewhat muffled character; there was no tenderness over the larynx; the epiglottis and throat were natural. Shortly after his removal to a ward, the paroxysm subsided to some extent. I then learned that this was only an accidental exacerbation of a state which had existed for some months, and for which he had undergone active treatment. A blister was applied to the nape of the neck; and he was ordered ipecacuan wine 3ss every second hour. On the 31st he had slept well; but the dyspnoea had returned in EDINBURGH : SUTHERLAND AND KNOX.