Medical Cases Report




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the pelvis was found completely filled by the uterus in a state of scirrhus. Two large abscesses were found in the liver, and numerous ulcers in the great intestine.

MEDULLARY SARCOMA.—Only one case of this malignant disease was admitted during the year, proving fatal on the 17th day thereafter. The subject was a tall youth of 18 years, who at first sight seemed to be in good condition, but on closer inspection presented a bloated appearance, with a slight lividity of the tip of the nose and ears. The lymphatic glands at the angles of the jaws and sides of the neck were greatly enlarged, and a similar state of the conglobate glands was observed in various other regions of the body. The pulse was weak, and there was a good deal of wheezing generally over the chest. Towards the close considerable swelling of the lower extremities took place. On inspection the mesenteric glands were found converted into masses of encephaloid matter, some of them as large as an egg, and of a similar form.

SCROFULA.—There have been three fatal cases of scrofula. The 1st occurred in a discharged Waikato militiaman, who was admitted six months before death with an enormous abscess over the left hip, on the evacuation of which the left trochanter became exposed and protruded considerably. After death the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae were found in a carious state; purulent matter descended behind the psoas muscle, and disorganised the hip joint. The subject of the 2nd case was a native, and the train of symptoms and post mortem appearances were very similar in both cases. The 3rd case occurred in a half-caste lad, who lingered about 11 months, and became emaciated to the last degree. The left hip joint was found carious, and a large quantity of matter had collected behind the psoas muscle. Much stranguary had resulted from this during life.

PHTHISIS PULMONALIS.—Nineteen deaths out of 41 occurred during the year from pulmonary consumption. The average time in hospital of each was 95 days. The post mortem appearances were very uniform in all. In some the disease extended to the larynx. The average age was 34 years.

PARALYSIS.—Only one out of 20 proved fatal under this head. This was a very lingering case, the patient lying in a hemiplegic state for a long time. After death the left middle cerebral lobe was found in a state of ramollissement. Much serum was effused in and upon the brain.

DELIRIUM TREMENS.—One case out of 20 of delirium tremens proved fatal. The patient was in a state of exhaustion on admission, and died next day.

HEART DISEASE.—There were five fatal cases of heart disease, which presented the symptoms usual in such cases, viz., palpitation, dyspnoea, faintness, dropsy, &c. Death in some was sudden, and the usual appearances were found on inspection.

ANEURISM.—On the 25th September a man was admitted who for upwards of 12 months had suffered from pains in his back, causing much debility, and unfitting him for his work—that of a ship-builder. He had an unhealthy aspect, and constantly lay in bed on his back. There was a diffused swelling of the abdomen, extending to the left groin and down the leg. He had not been long under observation when a pulsation with a bellows-murmur was discovered over the left side, and it soon became evident that the disease was abdominal aneurism. The sufferings of the patient were very great, and perfect agony was occasioned by any attempt to raise him from the supine position. After death had closed the scene it was found that the abdominal aorta was converted into a vast aneurism, and that the third, fourth, and fifth vertebrae of the loins were almost entirely destroyed by caries. The aneurism had burst, and blood had descended in the sheath of the left femoral vessels.

PLEURISY AND PNEUMONIA.—Two fatal cases are returned under this head. The 1st was that of a foreigner, who had long laboured under cough and dyspnoea, and at the time of his admission had begun to expectorate blood. Both pleurae were filled with bloody serum. The lungs were semi-hepatized, and in a gangrenous state in patches. The 2nd case presented several points of resemblance to the preceding, but was less chronic. The patient had been exposed to cold and wet about a fortnight before admission, and had had no medical treatment. He suffered from severe dyspnoea and harassing cough, and seemed to be improving, when, on the 12th day from his admission, he was rather suddenly seized with vomiting and purging. On the abatement of these symptoms coma set in, and he died on the following day. A large abscess occupied the lower lobe of the left lung, which was in a gangrenous state. Bloody serum was found in left pleura and pericardium.

HERNIA.—A man was admitted on May 14th labouring under strangulated inguinal hernia, which had remained unreduced three days. The patient was in a low condition from pain and vomiting. The taxis proving unsuccessful, as nothing seemed to contraindicate it, chloroform was resorted to in aid. In a few moments general convulsions set in, and the pulsation of the heart ceased. All the means of resuscitation available were resorted to, but unfortunately to no purpose. At the inquest a post mortem examination was made. The heart was quite healthy, and weighed about 10 ozs; the valves were perfect. In the head a sharp bony spur was found adherent to the inner surface of the dura mater and in contact with the substance of the brain. A knuckle



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VUW Te Waharoa PDF Auckland Provincial Gazette 1868, No 12





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Medical Cases, Hospital Admissions, Disease Reports, Patient Statistics