Report of the surgical cases and operations that occurred in the Massachusetts General Hospital from May 12, 1837 to May 12, 1838 / by George Hayward.

  • Hayward, George, 1791-1863.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the surgical cases and operations that occurred in the Massachusetts General Hospital from May 12, 1837 to May 12, 1838 / by George Hayward. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    intestine felt on grasping remains of tumor close to ring. No trouble in walking or stooping. 20.—Discharged well. Case 4th. Daniel W. Bemis, set. 38. Married. Sailor. Boston. March 2.—Patient reports—his mother told him that thirty years ago he had a fall, striking right iliac region upon the corner of a table, and that a swelling ensued soon or immediately after in the situation of the inguinal ring; but patient himself recollects nothing of the fall, or of the tumor till twenty years ago, since which time he has always worn a broad canvass belt around pelvis, passing over the face of the tumor, and prevented from slipping upwards by a thigh strap. During these last twenty years tumor has varied in size from a pigeon's egg to a hen's egg, and at all titnes has felt soft and elastic, yielding readily be- fore the finger, but instantly resuming its former shape on removing the pressure. Never has been tender to the touch, nor red, nor painful. Tumor would attain its largest size only in wet stormy weather, and would return to its smallest size on the return of fair weather. Patient has never experienced any inconvenience in straining or lifting, and would only be reminded of increased size of tumor by its pressure on the belt, and has not been subject to cramps in bowels. February 25th, P. M., felt an unusual degree of pressure against belt, with a sharp, cutting pain in situation of tumor, patient at the time sitting perfectly still, and not having exerted himself previously. Went up stairs and removed belt without relief, and then undressed and went to bed. Soon after, while lying on left side, and pressing forcibly on tu- mor with the ends of fingers of both hands, he heard a rumbling gurg- ling sound, and at the same time felt something shoot suddenly down between the ends of his fingers into the scrotum, accompanied hy a sensation of tearing in part. Pain continued sharp and steady through night of 25th, and through the next day, and ceased almost entirely af- ter this, except on night of STth, as will be stated. On morning of 2Tth had one small, hard dejection, the first since attack. Had had one dejection the day previous to attack. On night of 27th was at- tacked with cramp, which was soon followed by nausea and vomiting, and considerable pain in tumor, and vomited about a quart of yellowish watery fluid, pain continuing by spells through night. On 2Sth, early in morning, took one ounce of salts, which v^'ere followed by eight or nine dejections, and yesterday morning half an ounce of salts, which operated freely lastj night and this morning. Has had no pain since night of 27th, and no appetite since 25th, and has experienced no inconvenience for last two days, except from operation of medicine. Tumor has been quite tender ^^during the whole time, and has been constantly covered