I. On abnormalities of the caecum and colon with reference to development. II. Abnormality of the colon : a cause of unsuccessful colotomy.

  • Lockwood, Charles Barrett, 1856-1914.
Date:
[1884]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: I. On abnormalities of the caecum and colon with reference to development. II. Abnormality of the colon : a cause of unsuccessful colotomy. 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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    Abnormalities of the caecum and colon are of considerable rarity. They have been referred to by authors, but, as far as I am aware, no attempt has been made to collect and explain them. Only two abnormalities have come under my own observation. These will be briefly described and illustrated. Eeference will afterwards be made to the cases which I have been able to collect. The first case was that of a man, aged 57, who died of intes- tinal obstruction (the patient was under the care of Mr Willett, to whose kindness I am indebted for permission to make use of it). At the post-mortem examination, which was made under difficulties, the caecum was found in the right hypochondriac region beneath the liver. The colon crossed from the caecum to the splenic curve, and thence descended into the pelvis. Here a remarkable abnormality occurred. The descending colon was double; the two tubes were upon the same plane, the smaller one near the vertebral column. Each possessed appendices epiploicae. The tube which was nearest the spine had a very small canal in its centre, which appeared to have a mucous lining. This canal opened above into the colon by means of a small aperture; below it was lost in a mass of malignant disease. It contained no faeces. Its walls were moderately thick. The malignant mass which received the end of the diverticulum also concealed the end of the outer tube, which was the colon proper (see fig. 1). Before attempting to explain the abnormal position of the eascum, it will be as well to dismiss the double descending