Observations on the surgical pathology of the larynx and trachea, chiefly with a view to illustrate the affections of those organs which may require the operation of bronchotomy: including remarks on croup, cynanche laryngea, injuries by swallowing acids and boiling water, foreign bodies in the windpipe, asphyxia, wounds, etc / [William Henry Porter].

  • Porter, William Henry, 1790-1861.
Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the surgical pathology of the larynx and trachea, chiefly with a view to illustrate the affections of those organs which may require the operation of bronchotomy: including remarks on croup, cynanche laryngea, injuries by swallowing acids and boiling water, foreign bodies in the windpipe, asphyxia, wounds, etc / [William Henry Porter]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    situation of the body it may be placed; and, 2dly, Those occur- ring in consequence of an organ being no longer in a fit con- dition to perform the functions for which it was originally intended in the animal economy. The symptoms that result from an interruption or cessation of function are in general soon discovered, and very easily discriminated. A man who finds his respiration become painful and difficult, quickly apprehends that something is the matter with his lungs or his windpipe; but he may have a dryness and huskiness of the throat, a tickling cough, an expectoration of mucus, or even of a muco-purulent fluid, without his attention being strongly attracted to the sub- ject, or his suspicions being awakened to the perilous nature of his disease. In those forms of disease, also, wherein a surgeon may be tempted to undertake an operation in the hope of being enabled either to prolong or preserve the existence of his patient, it must be of importance that he should be aware of the condi- tion of the parts with which he is about to interfere. Few circumstances tend more directly to diminish professional repu- tation, or the confidence the public should be encouraged to repose in the efforts of art, than the performance of unsuccessful operations; not of operations hazardous in their nature, and uncertain in their results, but those which are undertaken for the relief of incurable disease, and in which, of course, success must be impossible. Next to this class of operations might be ranked those undertaken with a view to give the patient a chance of life, when every other effort has failed; which are begun in uncertainty, conducted with timidity, and most gene- rally end in disappointment. It must not be understood, how- ever, that I would object to the performance of an operation in a case where the patient must otherwise inevitably perish. The