On acupressure in amputations : with illustrative cases / by J.Y. Simpson.

  • James Young Simpson
Date:
[1860]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On acupressure in amputations : with illustrative cases / by J.Y. Simpson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    needles were, of course, in the palmar or anterior flap, and were ap¬ plied quite as easily as a ligature .” These last words are underscored in Dr. Greig’s letter, and show that thus the very first trial of acupressure proved as easy as deligation in the hands of a Surgeon who for years had been in the constant practice and habit of applying ligature to arteries for the stanching of haemorrhage in his operations. Case II.—Three days afterwards, January 13, Dr. Greig again wrote as follows:—u I have had another amputation at the middle of the forearm to-day, and used acupressure with ease and success. The process, so far as I have tried it, is the simplest that one can imagine; and, unless I see some good reason for changing my mind, it must ultimately come into universal adoption. It is really surprising how very little pressure is required to stop bleeding from an artery. In fact, I had no idea of it till I tried acupressure.” On January 20 Dr. Greig writes:—“ Both the cases of amputa¬ tion in which I used acupressure have done remarkably well. There has been less irritation and less suppuration, and the wounds are healing more kindly than had ligatures been employed. The first case did not close by the first intention, owing to part of the an¬ terior flap having been lacerated by the explosion. ' The second has gone on as well as could be wished—no fever, no irritation—and the wound is healing by the first intention. What surprises me more than anything else is the very small amount of pressure which is required to stop arterial haemorrhage. In passing the needle over an artery I do not think it will be found necessary to turn it sharply over the vessel, thereby binding it very tightly to the flap. Such a degree of pressure is by no means required. Less irritation is caused by passing the needle more lightly across the artery, and taking in more tissue along with it.” “ It is a great comfort also,” Dr. Greig adds, u to both patient and surgeon, that by acupressure the artery is closed in about forty- eight hours (a large artery may, of course, require a longer time), and all cause of irritation at once removed. In my first case I allowed the needles to remain in for three days ; but in future I will consider two days long -enough ; and, for all I know, perhaps it is longer than is required.” 11 I have now the greatest faith in acupressure. I intend employ¬ ing it in all kinds of cases that may come under my care, and I will have no fear whatever to use it in my first thigh amputation.” “ In giving directions for securing the vessel, you advise the sur¬ geon to place the forefinger over its bleeding mouth, etc. Now you will find it much better when you have a flap to keep the finger of the left hand on the skin side and use the thumb. You feel the vessel beating between the thumb and the forefinger, and you can introduce the needle in the dark.” I heard again from Dr. Greig on January 23 :—u The amputations (he states) are doing well, and both patients are walking about the
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