Observations on contraction of the fingers (Dupuytren's contraction) : and its successful treatment by subcutaneous divisions of the palmar fascia, and immediate extension also on the obliteration of depressed cicatrices after glandular abcesses, or exfoliation of bone by a subcutaneous operation / by William Adams.

  • Adams, William, 1810-1900.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on contraction of the fingers (Dupuytren's contraction) : and its successful treatment by subcutaneous divisions of the palmar fascia, and immediate extension also on the obliteration of depressed cicatrices after glandular abcesses, or exfoliation of bone by a subcutaneous operation / by William Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    amination, it was found that ttie articulations were in their natural condition, the bones not enlarged, roughened, or presenting in any way, either internally or externally, the smallest degree of change. No alteration was observed in the apiDOsition of the articular surfaces, nor in their external ligaments no anchylosis. Nor had the synovial sheaths, or the cartilages, or the synovial membranes undergone the slightest change. The conclusion naturally arrived at from these conditions, was that the starting point of the disease was the excessive tension of the palmar aponeurosis. As regards the cause of the palmar lesion, it was considered to result from injury to the aponeurosis caused by the too violent, or too prolonged action of some hard body held in the palm of the hand. Since Dupuytren made this important contribution to our knowledge of this affection, in the year 1832, it has sometimes been spoken of as Dupuytren's finger-contraction, a title as useful, as it is also a just compliment to the great surgeon, distinguishing it from all other forms of finger-contraction. GoyrancVs account and his dissection.—M. Gr. Goyrand,* of Aix, also records the dissection of the hands of a man 72 years of age, who died of apoplexy in the year 1834, aff'ected with this form of finger-contraction, and the description agrees very closely with that of Dupuytren, especially as to the tendons and their sheaths not being impHcated in the contraction. M. Groyrand, however, regards the * Gazette Mcdicale de Paris, 1835, p. 481; also Memoires de rAcademie Eoyalc de Medecine, Tome III.; and Gazette Modicale, 18;J4, p. 219.