Dissection of the genito-urinary organs in a case of fissure of the abdominal walls / by Alban Doran.

  • Doran, Alban H. G. (Alban Henry Griffiths), 1849-1927.
Date:
[1881]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dissection of the genito-urinary organs in a case of fissure of the abdominal walls / by Alban Doran. 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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    A CASE OF FISSURE OF THE ABDOMINAL WALLS. _ ^ Alban Doe an, F.R.C.S. (Plate XIX.) In September 188D, Mr Ritchie Norton, of Tottenham, presented to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons a monstrous foetus. The abdominal walls were entmely deficient except ■^/ immediately above the pubjs, the viscera hanging freely from * the body. On closer inspection, I found that the genito-urinary organs were imperfectly developed and malformed to a degree rare, even in cases of complete extroversion of the abdominal viscera. The nature of the series of malformations which I detected in those organs will be presently described. The mother was a healthy married woman, and was confined at the end of the seventh month of pregnancy. The foetus was born alive, and Mr Norton observed that it continued to breathe for a quarter of an hour after birth, and the pulsations of the heart were perceptible for three quarters of an hour. The foetus measured not quite a foot from the vertex to the right heel when the right leg was extended, but its shortness was due, to a great extent, to spinal deformity; the limbs were plump and the thorax broad. The head was well formed, measuring 3f inches antero-posteriorly, and 2| inches between the parietal eminences. There was neither meningocele nor deformity of the face, lips, or any part of the palate. Spina bifida existed in the lower lumbar region, forming a globular projection under the skin 2 inches in diameter; the bodies of the upper lumbar vertebree were rotated to the left, and the entire lumbar spine much curved laterally, with its convexity to the right. The integument of the thorax showed, when fresh, a distinct pale cicatricial line extending from the neck, along the right of the sternum, to the upper border of the fissure in the abdomen. ' The lungs were normal, and the pericardium distinct from the pleurae, the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale cordis were both patent. The diaphragm and thoracic walls were complete, the pharynx and oesophagus pervious. The left lower extremity