Hydatids from the left lung, subsequently to the occurrence of typhoid fever, complicated with double pneumonia.

  • Black, Cornelius, 1822-1887.
Date:
[1853]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hydatids from the left lung, subsequently to the occurrence of typhoid fever, complicated with double pneumonia. 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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    thrown down, indicated the presence of chlorides and sul- phates; whilst the presence of lime was demonstrated by- adding to the insoluble residue of the ashes in water, first a drop of hydrochloric acid, afterwards the same quantity of a solution of oxalate of ammonia, immediately after which a copious precipitate of oxalate of lime was produced. Thus, then, the chemistry of the walls of the hydatids showed that their proximate constituents consisted essentially of the protein-compounds in combination with the different salts which are necessary for their development into cells or tissual formations; whilst their microscopical examination as clearly indicated that such constituents had already acquired a considerable amount of organization. On subjecting to the microscope the fluid of a small hydatid which had not burst during its expulsion, great numbers of exudation-masses and isolated exudation-cells were observed. The former were undergoing development into cells—the latter were well formed, and were of all sizes, as we see in the sputum of bronchitis. Besides these structures, there were also a few plastic, but no pus-cells—a few basement patches, and irregular black nodules and masses of the sulphate and phosphate of lime. In this fluid the nitrate of silver detected the presence of chlorides—the chloride of barium, that of sulphates—and the oxalate of ammonia, preceded by the addition of hydrochloric acid, a strong impregnation with lime. In commenting upon this case, the various points which, at this period, require special notice, resolve themselves into the following propositions:— 1. The pathology and nature of the hydatids discharged. 2. Their import as influencing the prognosis. 3. The treatment which they, in conjunction with the phy- sical signs, indicate. With respect to the first proposition, it is clear, from the physical signs of excavation in the lower lobe of the left lung, from the presence, at one time, of nerve-tubes, lymphatics, and other bodies of the sputa, as confirmatory of an ulcerative action in the pulmonary tissues,—and from the microscopical