Spinal curvature : its consequences and its cure: illustrated by the history of thirty three cases successfully treated / by John B. Serny.

  • Serny, John B.
Date:
[1840]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Spinal curvature : its consequences and its cure: illustrated by the history of thirty three cases successfully treated / by John B. Serny. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    The vertebras were luxated: the spinous process pointing towards the hollow, the transverse process being depressed on the same side. The ribs were thus forced outwards, forming an elevated arch, [see wood cut No. 2]) the small of the back preternaturally hollow: the figure being bent so much to the right that the spine of the ilium, on the same side, is forced under the false ribs. [See wood cut and plate No. I.] The chest is much twisted, the right shoulder and the ribs on the same side being thrown forward; and from this disposition of the breast the left mamma appears consider- ably smaller than the right. [See plate No. II.] Such were the appearances. History of the Case. Emma Wood was attacked first with weakness in the joints, when six or seven years of age, attended with great pain, especially in the hip, generally commencing at night in bed. This pain was so severe, and her screams so loud, that her mother was obliged to inform the watchman of the cause, that he might not be alarmed. The sensitiveness of her body was then such that the lightest cover- ing produced great pain and oppression. In this state she continued with little interruption more than three years; in which time the joints had become contracted, as before described. During this period she was seen by many eminent medical men: in 1822-3, by Mr. V. fi-equently: by Sir once; by Mr. M. twice, and by Mr. S. frequently. In 1825, she was admitted into Saint George's Hospital, under the care of Mr. J., acting for Sir Everard Home. Warm baths and frictions were used; but, after remaining seven weeks, her health became so much worse that she was advised to go into the country. Dr. C. saw her in 1826, at the Aldersgate Street Dispen- sary, and pointed out the case to several medical men, declaring, that every joint in the body was more or less affected, and that nothing could be done for her. B 2