The etiology of chronic hernia : with special reference to the operation for radical cure / by E. Stanmore Bishop.

  • Bishop, E. Stanmore (Edward Stanmore), 1848-1912.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The etiology of chronic hernia : with special reference to the operation for radical cure / by E. Stanmore Bishop. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    THE ETIOLOGY OF CHRONIC HERNIA. WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE OPERATION FOR RADICAL CURE. That the operation for the radical cure of hernia is not in an ideal position will, I suppose, be admitted by all surgeons ; the great majority of the profession do not look upon it with favour, being extremely doubtful of its permanent success, and their opinion is focussed in the statements of many of the leading authorities. Thus, Dr. William White of Pennsylvania, commenting on Richelot’s results, says: “The general experience of surgeons everywhere is that at least from 40 to 50 per cent, of cases operated upon for the radical cure suffer from relapses.”1 Dr. Wyeth says: “I am averse to the operation for radical cure, except where strangulation has occurred or the intestine has become incarcerated, or the hernia has become so large that it interferes with the useful- ness of the individual. I have never advised an operation except in such conditions, and never will until I see better results in efforts at radical cure. ’ ’ 2 3 Dr. Bull, in summing up a paper of his on the results of operations for this purpose, says: “The figures I bring forward are in evidence of the inefficiency of all operations for radical cure.”2 English surgeons hold much the same opinion. Birkett, in “Holmes’ System of Surgery, ”4 * in an article entitled “ On the So-called Radical Cure, ’ ’ quotes with approval the words of Lawrence : ‘ ‘ The operation affords no greater prospect of entire recovery than he [the patient] had without it, for after he has undergone an operation at the hazard of life the com- plaint may return, and the only protection against relapse is to wear a truss. ’ ’ Erichsen says in his ‘ ‘ System of Surgery ’ ’6 that “the only plan that is at the same time perfectly safe and 1 New York Medical Journal, 1891, vol. li., p. 630. 5 International Journal of the Medical Sciences, 1892, vol. liv.,p. 356. 3 New York Medical Journal, 1891, vol. liii., p. 630. 4 Third edition, vol. ii., p. 763. B Seventh edition, vol. xi., p. 618.