Practical surgery ... / by Robert Liston.

  • Liston, Robert, 1794-1847.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical surgery ... / by Robert Liston. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    complished, in the more recent cases, with great ease. In others, though the parts cannot be placed in their normal relations, the danger to the glans, from extensive ulceration or sloughing, is obviated ; suspension of the organ, fomentation, and antiphlo- gistic treatment, will soon bring the irritated parts into a quiet state. Occlusion of the vagina, the principal and most troublesome malformation in the female parts of generation, whether conge- nital or accidental, the result, perhaps, of adhesion of the raw surfaces in early life, or contraction of sores, is perfectly reme- diable. There is generally some vestige of an opening, and, at any rate, unless the membrane is very thick indeed, an incision, directly in the mesial line, will reach the canal. It is not neces- sary to interfere with children labouring under this malformation, as there is always sufficient outlet for the urine. Mothers are, however, often uncomfortable on this subject; they dread much leaving the operation over till the period of puberty, as they observe, and truly, that girls are remarkably sensitive at that period, and they thus make a point of having the operation per- formed, even at a very early age. At a later period, the ob- struction of the menstrual discharge, and of the other functions, will be sufficient warrant for operative procedure. There is no great risk of this passage again becoming closed, and no occasion for the use of dressings, tents, or other remedial measures. The proceeding is not attended with any difficulty or danger; it is effected by a very short incision with a narrow and straight- edged bistoury.