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An inspection of the bladder was obtained.The mucous membrane was very dark, andulcerated points in many parts were ob-served. The fundus was almost in a state
of sphacelus. I did not think this patientin a condition suitable for the operation,but he was so importunate to have it done,that I was obliged to agree. At the time ofthe operation, there can be no doubt, Ithink, but there was ulceration of the blad-der, although I confess I was not then awareof it, else 1 would not have operated. Therewas a considerable thick white deposit inthe urine, but I did not think it purulent.The calculus appeared to consist principallyof the triple phosphate, and had been ra-pidly formed; but the mucous membrane ofthe bladder, previous to its formation, hadbeen seriously affected with chronic inflam.mation.
EXCURVATION OF THE SPINE,WITH COMPLETE PAPALYSISOF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES.
Anne Farquhar, act. 23, was admitted inSeptember, 1838, with excurvation of thespine, high up between the scapulse. Theribs have fallen in very much on each side.She has had pain in her back for three years,and complete paralysis, for three months, ofthe lower extremities. The nerves of sen.sation in the limbs are not affected; there isno febrile disturbance ; appetite is good,and the functions of the alimentary canalare carried on in a tolerably healthy manner.There is no tenderness in any portion of thespinal column, and the curvature appears tobe occasioned more by softening of the bonesthan by any other cause. Immediately onadmission she was seized with retentionof urine, and required the catheter for twodays. She is ordered to be placed daily onher back, on a firm mattress, in bed, and tohave the spine put upon the stretch as longas she can bear it. The mode of proceed-ing is as follows :-A soft girth is put roundthe body under the axillae, and fixed to theframe of the bed ; another is put round thepelvis, to which pulleys are attached, and aconsiderable extension is then kept up. Thespine is to be powerfully rubbed with cam-phorated oil, night and morning; and she isto take strychnine in the following for-mula :-
R Diluted acetic acid, 3ij ;Strychnine, grs. ij.
Jan. 16, 1839. The extension has beenused almost daily since her admission; atfirst she could bear it only half an hour, andnow about an hour and a half to two hours.She has taken of the solution of strychnine,in acetic acid, from six to twelve dropsthree times a-day; it was occasionally otnit-ted when it produced head-ache; the fric-tions have been constantly attended to ; shehas now some use of her limbs, and can ’,
walk a few steps holding on by any object;she has a good deal of muscular startings inher limbs. Let the extension be continued,aud also the frictions. Omit the solution ofstrychnine. To have
Tincture of lytta, xv drops, three timesa-day, and increase the doses untildysury is felt.
’ Jnly 15. The extension has been regu.larly gone on with; the ribs are certainlymore prominent, and the excurvation consi.derably less; she has continued the tinctureof lytta, and taken as much as sixty dropsfrom an ounce phial three times a-day; itoccasionally produces dysuria, and then itis omitted for a time; she can walk a littlewithout assistance. Continue the me.
dicines.Aug. 31. She has now complete control
over her lower extremities, and can walk amile without a feeling of fatigue ; she is toremain for a short time yet in the hospital,and then to be discharged, with directionsto wear steel stays.The result of this case is most satisfac.
tory. Of the benefit derived from the exten.sioa there cannot be a doubt; the excurva.tion becoming less, and the ribs more pro.minent, are effects to be ascribed solely toits agency. In paralytic affections, when sti.mulants are indicated, I believe the tinctureof cantharides acts more powerfully thanthe strychnine, and it appeared to do so inthis instance.
VASCULAR TUMOUR ONTHE PARIETES OF THE ABDOMEN,
Christina Forbes, a widow, ast. 41, wasadmitted September 1, 1838, with a tumouron the left side of the abdomen, between theumbilicus and the crista of the ilium, whichshe thinks took its rise from a blow receivedthere eight months before. It is now aboutfour inches in length, and two in breadth,with a large base. It is not very moveable,but is not sunk into the muscles. There isa considerable ulcer at one poiut, fromwhich there have been occasionally profusebleedings, and the discharge at all times isbloody. The skin over the upper part of itis of a dark venous hue; it is unattendedwith pain. As the patient was unwilling tosubmit to excision, the chloride of zinc wasapplied to a portion of it in the form of apaste, with an equal quantity of flour, and,although the pain which it caused was se.vere, was retained for twelve hours. In afew days a slough of considerable depth wasthrown off. She was ordered comp. decoc.of sarsaparilla, with liquor of potass, andfour grains of Plummer’s pill, every night.The chloride of zinc paste to be appliedfrom time to time.Dec. 2. The escharotic has been applied
eleven times, and always followed by theseparation of large sloughs. At the time of