A dictionary of practical surgery: containing a complete exhibition of the present state of the principles and practice of surgery, collected from the best and most original sources of information, and illustrated by critical remarks (Volume 2).
- Samuel Cooper
- Date:
- 1816
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A dictionary of practical surgery: containing a complete exhibition of the present state of the principles and practice of surgery, collected from the best and most original sources of information, and illustrated by critical remarks (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![ro-clarurgiche di Antonio Scarpa, 1809 and 1810 ,• or the French transl. by Cayol, 1812. Richer and a JYosographie Chirur- gicule, Tom. 3. p. 354, &c. Edit. 2. Las- tua, Puthologie Chirurgicule, Tom. 1, p. 1, &c, Edit. 1809. Pelletdn CUnique Chirurgicale, Tom. 3. Travers on Inju- ries of the Intestines, &c. 1812. LeveUle, A'ouvelle Doctrine Chirurgicale, Tom. 3, p. 170, csV. 1812. But, above all, the •work, which J feel infinite pleasure in re- commending, ft om a comriction of its sw- perior merit, and practical utility, is a Treatise on Hernia by W. Lawrence ; 8tw. the first edit, of which was published ISO, the second in 1810, under the title of a Treatise on Ruptures. HERNIA CEREBRI. (Fungus Cerebri. Encephalocele.) This name is given to a tumour winch every now and then rises from the brain, through an ulcerated opening in the dura mater, and protrudes through a perforation in the cranium, made by the previous application of the trephine. Mr. Abernethy has made some observations on this disease, and related some cases. In one of these, the hernia cerebri arose on the tenth day after trephining, and was as large as a pigeon's egg; the pia mater, covering it, was in- flamed ; and a turbid serum was discharg- ed at the sides of the swelling, from be- neath the dura mater. On the eleventh day, the tumour was as large as a hen's egg, smooth, and ready to burst. The man died the next day. On examina- tion, the swelling was found larger, than before, and of a dark colour, with an ir- regularis granulated surface. This ap- pearance was owing to coagulated blood, which adhered to its surface, as the part had bled so much, that the patient's cap was rendered quite stiff with blood. The pia mater was in general much inflamed, and, as well as the dura mater, was defi- cient at the place of the tumour. The deeper part of the swelling seemed to consist of fibrous coagulated blood, and it was found to originate about an inch below the surface of the brain. Mr. Abcrnethy explains the particular appearance and progress of the disease, as follows: In consequence of the brain being injured to some depth be- neath the surface, disease of the vessels, and consequent elfusion of the blood, had ensued ; the effusion was, for a time, restrained by the superincumbent brain and its membranes ; but, these gradually yielding to the expansive force exerted from within, and at last giving way alto- gether, the fluid blood oozed out and congealed upon the surface of the tu- An organized fungus could hardly be produced so rapidly as these tumours are. (Essau on injuries of the Jhud, p. 37.) Mr. C. Bell contends, however, that such swellings are vascular and organized. (Operative Surgery, Vol. 1.) When the bad symptoms di.fflppenr. on tha uitnour being no longer confined by the dura mater, it is best to interfere as little as possible, as the hemorrhage will probably cease, and the tumour drop off in pieces (See Edinb. Med. Comment. Vol. I.p. 98. Med. Museum, Vol. A.p. 463.) The mildest dressings alone should be employed, and all pressure avoided. When the tumour acquires a very great size, it may be pared off with a knife, as Mr. Hill did several times, with success. (Cases in Surgery.) Should the swelling still increase, and bad symptoms prevail, in consequence of the irritation and pressure on the brain, the opening in the bone ought to bo en- larged. Were the bleeding to continue in a dangerous degree, Mr. Abernethy suggests removing the coagulum, to try whether exposure of the cavity would stop the effusion* of blood. Quesnay mentions an instance, in which a patient tore off' the coagulum himself, and the cavity healed up; Mem. de I'Acad, de Chir. torn. 1. The danger of applying styptics, and irritating applications is shewn by Hildanus, Obs. 14, and Mr. Hill, p. 198. (See Abernethy on Injuries of the Head.) One would suppose, that cases of this kind would generally require the employ- ment of every thing at all likely to keep oft, and diminish, inflammation of the brain. [The American Editor has recently wit- nessed the recovery of a patient with her- nia cerebri—he does not venture to call it a cure.—During the existence of the tu- mour vomiting took place, which was followed by a copious discharge of blood, and an amelioration of the symptoms.— The patient, aged about 12 years, is now in good health.] HERNIA HUMORALIS. (Infamma- tio 7'cstis. Swelled Testicle.) A very com- mon symptom, attending a gonorrhoea, is a swelling of the testicle, which is only sympathetic, and not venereal, because the same symptoms follow every kind of irritation on the urethra, whether pro- duced by strictures, injections, or bougies. Such symptoms are not similar to the ac- tions arising from the application of ve- nereal matter, for suppuration seldom occurs, and when it does, the matter is not venereal. The swelling and inflam- mation appear suddenly, and as suddenly disappear, or go from one testicle to the other. The epididymis remains swelled,](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21110670_0103.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
