A short account of a case of disease of the appendix caeci, cured by operation, with suggestions as to the propriety of adopting a similar method of proceeding in certain cases of peritonitis / [Read before Med. Soc. London., Sept. 25th, 1848].

  • Hancock, Henry, 1809-1880.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A short account of a case of disease of the appendix caeci, cured by operation, with suggestions as to the propriety of adopting a similar method of proceeding in certain cases of peritonitis / [Read before Med. Soc. London., Sept. 25th, 1848]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    slight hard swelling could distinctly be traced, high up in the inguinal region. Bowels had been slightly relieved by an enema; six leeches were applied over the spot, and subsequently warm fomentations, which were also applied over the labia; the lochia having ceased and the urine being very scanty. She continued much the same until the 13th (a blister having been applied on the 11th), the cord-like swelling could now be felt more distinctly, and the tenderness ex¬ tended over the whole abdomen. On the 14th Dr. Chowne first saw her in consultation. Her tongue was brown ; pulse about 90; tenderness and pain the same; bowels not relieved by the usual enema; a dose of six grains of calomel was prescribed for her, to be followed by three grains every two hours until she had taken twelve grains; at the end of twelve hours the bowels were only slightly acted upon by enema. Fomentations continued, with saline and opiate mixture, I first saw her on the 15th; she was then complaining of intense pain in the right inguinal region; could not bear any pressure on the part; the whole abdomen, which was tympanitic, was tender on pressure, but not sufficiently so to be very urgent. She had observed a swelling in this situation before her pregnancy, but previous to her confine¬ ment it had not caused her any uneasiness. From the slight examination which, on account of the soreness of the blister, I was enabled to make, I was disposed to suspect mischief about the csecum, or its appendix, but as the symptoms were not very urgent it was agreed to continue the opiates, and apply poultices over the part until we met again on the 17th. April 16th.— Not so well; pain more acute; more de¬ cided signs of peritonitis.