A system of practical surgery / by William Fergusson.

  • William Fergusson
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A system of practical surgery / by William Fergusson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    97/878 (page 73)
    haps,^there may be every evidence that matter has formed : here the term “ chronic ” is usually applied; but, nevertheless, the formation of pus has, m all probability, been a rapid—an “ acute ” process. The terms “ simple ” and “ specific ” are, probably, much more vague in their signification than those referred to.: the latter implies a vast deal m the estimation of some, whilst with others there seems really so little precision in the term, that no importance is attached to it. Thus, no difference m action can be pointed out in inflammation and suppura- tion ot an inguinal gland, occurring where there may be a venereal sore on the genital organs, or one arising from other causes, or where no sore — no apparent source of irritation is present; yet, in the instance of chancre many persons would consider the inflammation speci c. It may or it may not arise from the presence of venereal poison in the gland, yet the actions in either case seem precisely alike, nor will they be observed to differ from those occurring in an instance where the origin of the disease cannot be accounted for. Again, we consider certain appearances in the shape, size, colour, and condition of the frame, or its component parts, as indications of the state ot^constitution called scrofula, and the term “ scrofulous inflam- mation ’ is in common use; yet, when this disease occurs in such constitutions, although the products of inflammation—even its effects on the system may be peculiar; the actions constituting inflammation do not seem different from those in ordinary constitutions. The term specific, when applied in such cases, conveys to my mind no im- portant signification, in so far as the inflammation itself is concerned : but here I beg to be understood, that these observations apply chiefly practicekmdS ^ inflammation wtich are met within ordinary surgical The causes of inflammation are usually sufficiently clear to deserve e erm specific;” thus, a broken, or dislocated bone, is a distinct, sure, and specific cause of inflammation; so also is an eyelash, when it grows irregularly inwards upon the sclerotic or cornea, and the same may be said of stone in the urinary organs, or of a fish-bone or some indigestible agent in the alimentary canal. The presence of a chemi- cal, irritating, or corrosive material, of a foreign substance in any tex- ture, such as a detached fragment of bone, a bullet, bit of wood, cloth, or other extraneous body, is almost certain to bring on the disease, and give it a more severe aspect, the latter resulting entirely from the specific ” irritation or cause. In such examples, the importance of distinguishing a cause must appear very evident; for if it be discovered and within the reach or power of the surgeon, its removal, whatever e the means resorted to for the purpose, forms the most important teature of the treatment. These means may be applied in various ways as the case may require, and if used with success, it seldom happens that nature does not complete the cure; for, under favourable circumstances (in a young and healthy subject, for example), no sooner is the cause of inflammation removed, than the phenomena of the dis- ease gradually disappear, and the parts return to a state of health.