Further observations on the structure and treatment of uterine polypi / by Robert Lee.

  • Lee, Robert, 1793-1877.
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Further observations on the structure and treatment of uterine polypi / by Robert Lee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    UTERINE POLYPI. grenous appearance, and Saviard believed that the hsemorrhage which had destroyed the patient proceeded from the veins. He has offered no opinion respecting the origin and nature of this tumour, or attempted to explain how it came to be situated beneath the lining membrane of the uterus ; and the state of morbid anatomy at the time he lived rendered it impossible for him to explain what he so ac¬ curately described. Saviard does not appear to have sus¬ pected that this tumour might have passed through the os uteri into the vagina, and become a polypus, similar to those described by Ambrose Pare, Bartholomy, Mauriceau, and sub¬ sequent writers. A woman died at Orleans, in the year 1746, who had a tumour hanging from the vagina, which was supposed to be cancerous. Monsieur Levret examined this tumour after death, and found it similar in structure to the tumour de¬ scribed by Saviard. It contained arteries and veins, and was covered on the outer surface by an expansion of the membrane which lined the inner surface of the uterus. A great number of varicose veins were observed on its surface. On laying open the tumour, no other cavities were per¬ ceived in it, except those of some blood-vessels, the largest of which did not exceed the fourth of a line in diameter. In colour and consistence, the tumour resembled cow’s udder boiled. Fibrous tumours or fleshy tubercles of the uterus were first described by Dr. William Hunter, but it does not appear that he had observed any of these tumours which had passed through the os uteri into the vagina, and become what have usually been termed uterine polypi. The similarity of structure between fibrous tumours of the uterus and uterine polypi appears first to have been pointed out by Dr. Baillie; and many eminent writers on the diseases of women have since referred to the statements of Dr. Baillie, and inferred that all the different varieties of uterine polypi are fibrous tumours, or, as they are now termed by some authors, “ fibroids of the uterus.” “ When cut into,” says Dr. Baillie, “ it shows precisely