Diseases of the rectum and anus / by Alfred Cooper and F. Swinford Edwards.

  • Cooper, Alfred, Sir, 1846-1908.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Diseases of the rectum and anus / by Alfred Cooper and F. Swinford Edwards. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    stricture, for syphilitic disease, for villous tumour, dis- seminated poly])i, and for other innocent growtJis. The symptoms of Simple Stricture most closely resemble those of cancer, and in a few cases, a diagnosis can be made only after careful examinations and observation of the patient for some little time. The duration of the symptoms is an important point. Cancer runs its course somewhat rapidly ; during the second year, if not before, its symptoms almost always become serious and prominent. Its progress is, moreover, attended by a varying amount of cachexia; but, on the other hand, fibrous stricture generally causes deterioration of the general health. There is less pain connected with simple stricture, and the discharge is of a different character, being slight in quantity, thin, and for the most part muco-purulent. In the advanced stages, however, the discharge may be dark and copious, owing to the spread of ulceration. Hcemorrhage very rarely occurs, except in connec- tion with the latter process. Fibrous stricture, moreover, is apt to extend lower down the bowel, so as to leave no healthy portion between its border and the anus. The mucous membrane above the orifice loses its velvety surface, and does not move freely over the subjacent tissues, but is felt to be rigid and adherent. The strictured portion is less rigid than in malignant disease, and generally appears to be funnel-shaped from below, whereas in the latter the margin is abrupt and raised above the mucous membrane. Sometimes a hard nodular ring of can- cerous deposit can be clearly felt, more marked at one portion of the circumference. In other cases masses of new growth can be felt, either as distinct tumours and protruding into the bowel, or as flat plates or patches beneath the mucous membrane. Enlargement of the sacral lymphatic glands can