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HR02305500 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL 


Medical  and  Surgical 


Reports 


Volume  III 
1911 


«BR2AI 


COLUMBIA    UNIVERSITY 
EDWARD  G.   JANEWAY 
MEMORIAL  LIBRARY 


cot  umbra  Ulnit>ei'8U|! 

DEPARTMENT  OF 

PRACTICE  OF  MEDICINE 


College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeon* 

437  W68T  6»TH  8ta*«t,  Nt«  r««K 


Papilloma  of  Bladder  Completely  Covering 
the  Left  Ureteral  Orifice 


Same  after  One  Application    of  the   High 
Frequency  Current 


Same  after  Second  Application  of  the  High 
Frequency  Current.  (  Close  vision,  pros- 
tate not  seen  in  the  field) 


Final    Result,    One    Month    after    the    first 
Application.     (  Close  vision  ) 


THE  TREATMENT  OE  PAPILLOMA  OF  THE  BLADDER 
WITH  THE  HIGH  FREQUENCY  CURRENT 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL 


Medical  and  Surgical 
Reports 


Volume  III 
1911 


WILLIAM   G.   HEWITT 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


COMMITTEE  ON  REPORT  OF  THE  MEDICAL  BOARD 


Robert  Abbe,  M.D. 
Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D. 
Francis  C.  Wood,  M.D. 


Editor  of  the  Report — Francis  Rolt-Wheeler,  Ph.D. 


Managers  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital 

OFFICERS 

PRESIDENT 

George  Macculloch  Miller. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS 

Waldron  P.  Brown,  J.  Van  Vechten  Olcott. 

TREASURER 

H.  D.  Babcock,  32  Liberty  Street. 

SECRETARY 

Hoffman  Miller. 

MANAGERS 

Whose  terms  of  office  expire  respectively  on  St.  Luke's  Day, 
October  18th,  in  the  following  years : 

1912  1913 

Francis  M.  Bacon,  Henry  D.  Babcock, 

James  May  Duane,  Stephen  Baker, 

William  Fahnestock,  Waldron  P.  Brown, 

Anson  W.  Hard,  George  M.  Miller, 

William  M.  V.  Hoffman,  Rev.  Henry  Mottet,  D.  D., 

Alvin  W.  Kreeh,  A.  Gordon  Norrie, 

Hoffman  Miller,  Henry  C.  Swords, 

Charles  Howland  Russell.  J.  Howard  Van  Amringe. 

1914 
George  Blagden, 
George  F.  Crane, 
William  A.  Greer, 
J.  Van  Vechten  Olcott, 
John  B.  Pine, 
Moses  Taylor  Pyne, 
Herman  C.  von  Post, 
Richard  H.  Williams. 

MANAGERS   APPOINTED   BY   ST.    GEORGE  *S    SOCIETY   OP   NEW   YORK 

George  Gray  Ward,  Edward  F.  Darrell. 

MANAGERS   EX-OFPICIO 

The  Mayor  of  the  City  of  The  President  of  the  Medi- 

New  York,  cal  Board, 

The  British  Consul  General,  The  President  of  the  Board 

of  Aldermen. 


STANDING  COMMITTEES 


EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE 

Waldron  P.  Brown,  Hoffman  Miller. 

Stephen  Baker,  William  Fahnestock, 

John  B.  Pine,  Henry  D.  Babcoek, 

"William  A.  Greer,  George  Blagden. 

EX -OFFICIO 

George  M.  Miller,  President. 

FINANCE   COMMITTEE 

Anson  W.  Hard,  James  May  Duane, 

Stephen  Baker,  Alvin  "W.  Krech. 

EX-OFFICIO 

H.  D.  Babeock,  Treasurer. 

AUDITING   COMMITTEE 

Henry  C.  Swords,  Richard  H.  Williams. 

MEMBERSHIP    COMMITTEE 

J.  Howard  Van  Amringe,  Charles  H.  Russell, 

George  Blagden,  A.  Gordon  Norrie. 

EX-OFFICIO 

Hoffman  Miller,  Secretary. 

COMMITTEE   ON  LEGACIES  AND   TRUSTS 

George  M.  Miller,  Charles  H.  Russell, 

William  M.  V.  Hoffman,  Moses  Taylor  Pyne, 

John  B.  Pine. 

NOMINATING    COMMITTEE 

J.  Howard  Van  Amringe,  Stephen  Baker, 

Henry  D.  Babeock,  A.  Gordon  Norrie, 

Charles  H.  Russell, 
iv 


PASTOR   AND    SUPERINTENDENT   EMERITUS 

Rev.  George  Stuart  Baker,  D.D. 


HOUSE  OFFICERS 


SUPERINTENDENT 

Rev.  George  Frederick  Clover. 

PASTOR 

Rev.  George  Frederick  Clover. 

ASSISTANT   TO  THE   SUPERINTENDENT 

Rev.  Floyd  S.  Leach,  Ph.D. 

ASSISTANT   PASTOR  CASHIER 

Rev.  Francis  Rolt- Wheeler,  Ph.D.  Miss  P.  Graf. 

APOTHECARY  CURATOR 

William  V.  Byard.  Andrew  Coats. 

CHIEF   ENGINEER 

P.  G.  Westerberg. 

DIRECTRESS   OF   NURSES 

Mrs.  C.  E.  Bath. 

ASSISTANT 

Miss  F.  E.  Carling. 

HOUSEKEEPER 

Miss  Jennie  L.  Roberts. 

ASSISTANT 

Miss  M.  E.  Savage. 


HOUSE  STAFF 


MEDICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  APRIL  1st,  1911 


DIVISION   A. 
HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

William  C.  Johnson,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Edward  N.  Packard,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 


DIVISION   B. 
HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

Edmond  R.  P.  Janvrin,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Julius  S.  Weingart,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 


Arthur  E.  Neergaard,  M.D.  Herman  C.  Fuhrman,  M.D. 

SURGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  APRIL  1st,  1911 

DIVISION   B. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

George  H.  Humphreys,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Frederick  J.  Echeverria,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 


DIVISION    A. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

D.  R.  Perry  Heaton,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Robert  B.  Kennedy,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Francis  J.  McCormick,  M.D 


T.  Brannon  Hubbard,  M.D. 

PATHOLOGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  APRIL  1st,  1911 
Kenneth  R.  McAlpin,  M.D.  Edward  C.  Perkins,  M.D. 

William  P.  St.  Lawrence,  M.D.  Jesse  R.  Pawling,  M.D. 

MEDICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  JULY  1st,  1911 


DIVISION   A. 
HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

William  C.  Johnson,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Edward  N.  Packard,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Francis  J.  McCormick,  M.D. 


DIVISION   B. 
HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

Edmond  R.  P.  Janvrin,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Julius  S.  Weingart,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

T.  Brannon  Hubbard,  M.D. 


SURGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  JULY  1st,  1911 


DIVISION    A. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

D.  R.  Perry  Heaton,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Robert  B.  Kennedy,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Herman  C.  Fuhrman,  M.D. 


DIVISION   B. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

Frederick  J.  Echeverria,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Arthur  E.  Neergaard,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Kenneth  R.  McAlpin,  M.D. 


PATHOLOGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  JULY  1st,  1911 
William  P.  St.  Lawrence,  M.D.  Edward  C.  Perkins,  M.D. 

Jesse  R.  Pawling,  M.D. 
vi 


MEDICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  OCT.  1st,  1911 


DIVISION   A. 
HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

Edward  N.  Packard,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Arthur  E.  Neergaard,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 


DIVISION    B. 
HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

Julius  S.  Weingart,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Herman  C.  Fuhrman,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 


Edward  C.  Perkins,  M.D.  Jesse  R.  Pawling,  M.D. 

SURGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  OCT.  1st,  1911 

DIVISION   B. 


DIVISION   A. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

Robert  B.  Kennedy,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Francis  J.  McCormick,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

William  P.  St.  Lawrence,  M.D 


HOUSE  SURGEON 

Frederick  J.  Echeverria,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

T.  Brannon  Hubbard,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Kenneth  R.  McAlpin,  M.D. 


PATHOLOGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  OCT.  1st,  1911 

John  R.  Ashe,  M.D.  Kevin  D.  Lynch,  M.D. 

George  M.  Goodwin,  M.D.  Morris  K.  Smith,  M.D. 

MEDICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  JAN.  1st,  1912 

DIVISION   A.  DIVISION    B. 

HOUSE  PHYSICIAN  HOUSE  PHYSICIAN 

Edward  N.  Packard,  M.D.  Julius  S.  Weingart,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT  FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Arthur  E.  Neergaard,  M.D.  Herman  C.  Fuhrman,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT  SECOND  ASSISTANT 

William  P.  St.  Lawrence,  M.D.  Kenneth  R.  McAlpin,  M.D. 

SURGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  JAN.  1st,  1912 

DIVISION   B. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

Frederick  J.  Echeverria,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

T.  Brannon  Hubbard,  M.D. 


DIVISION   A. 
HOUSE  SURGEON 

Robert  B.  Kennedy,  M.D. 

FIRST  ASSISTANT 

Francis  J.  McCormick,  M.D. 

SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Edward  C.  Perkins,  M.D. 

PATHOLOGICAL— FOR  THREE  MONTHS  ENDING  JAN.  1st,  1912 

John  R,  Ashe,  M.D.  Kevin  D.  Lynch,  M.D. 

George  M.  Goodwin,  M.D.  Morris  K.  Smith,  M.D. 

vii 


SECOND  ASSISTANT 

Jesse  R.  Pawling,  M.D. 


MEDICAL  STAFF 


ATTENDING   PHYSICIANS 

Van  Home  Norrie,  M.D.  Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D. 

Samuel  W.  Lambert,  M.D.  Francis  C.  Wood,  M.D. 

ASSOCIATE   ATTENDING   PHYSICIANS 

Henry  S.  Patterson,  M.D.  Frank  S.  Meara,  M.D. 

Lewis  F.  Frissell,  M.D. 

ASSISTANT  ATTENDING  PHYSICIANS 

Walter  A.  Bastedo,  M.D.  Norman  E.  Ditman,  M.D. 

Karl  M.  Vogel,  M.D.  Lefferts  Hutton,  M.D. 

PEDIATRIC   ATTENDING   PHYSICIAN 

Charles  F.  Collins,  M.D. 

ASSISTANT    PEDIATRIC   ATTENDING   PHYSICIAN 

Everett  W.  Gould,  M.D. 

CONSULTING  PHYSICIANS 

Charles  W.  Packard,  M.D.  Francis  Delafield,  M.D. 

Henry  F.  Walker,  M.D.  Beverly  Robinson,  M.D. 

Francis  P.  Kinnicutt,  M.D. 

ATTENDING   SURGEONS 

Robert  Abbe,  M.D.  Charles  L.  Gibson,  M.D. 

ASSOCIATE   ATTENDING    SURGEONS 

Henry  Hamilton  M.  Lyle,  M.D.         Walton  Martin,  M.D. 

ASSISTANT  ATTENDING  SURGEONS 

W.  S.  Schley,  M.D.  John  Douglas,  M.D. 

Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D. 

CONSULTING   SURGEONS 

L.  Bolton  Bangs,  M.D.  Charles  McBurney,  M.D. 

Joseph  A.  Blake,  M.D.  Francis  W.  Murray,  M.D. 

B.  Farquhar  Curtis,  M.D. 

ATTENDING   ORTHOPEDIC   SURGEON  CONSULTING  ORTHOPEDIC   SURGEON 

T.  Halsted  Myers,  M.D.  Newton  M.  Shaffer,  M.D. 

CONSULTING   GYNECOLOGIST  CONSULTING   NEUROLOGIST 

William  M.  Polk,  M.D.  Pearce  Bailey,  M.D. 

viii 


CONSULTING   OPHTHALMOLOGIST 

Colman  W.  Cutler,  M.D. 

ASSISTANT    OPHTHALMOLOGIST 

Alfred  Wiener,  M.D. 

CONSULTING   OTOLOGIST 

E.  B.  Dench,  M.D. 

CONSULTING   DERMATOLOGIST 

George  T.  Elliot,  M.D. 


CONSULTING   LARYNGOLOGIST 

D.  Bryson  Delavan,  M.D. 

EXAMINING   PHYSICIAN 

William  S.  Thomas,  M.D. 

INSTRUCTOR    IN   ANESTHETICS 

H.  Clifton  Luke,  M.D. 

CYSTOSCOPIST 

Harry  G.  Bugbee,  M.D. 


PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT 


DIRECTOR 

Francis  C.  Wood,  M.D. 

CONSULTING   PATHOLOGIST 

T.  Mitchell  Prudden,  M.D. 

BACTERIOLOGIST  CLINICAL   PATHOLOGIST 

J.  Gardner  Hopkins,  M.D.  Karl  M.  Vogel,  M.D. 

RESIDENT    PATHOLOGIST  ASSISTANT 

Charles  H.  Bailey,  M.D.  George  C.  Freeborn,  M.D. 

ASSISTANTS    IN    CHEMISTRY 

N.  B.  Foster,  M.D.  E.  C.  Kendall,  Ph.D. 


OFFICERS  AND  STANDING  COMMITTEES  OF  THE 
MEDICAL  BOARD  FOR  1911 


OFFICERS 


PRESIDENT  VICE-PRESIDENT 

B.  Farquhar  Curtis,  M.D.  Robert  Abbe,  M.D. 

SECRETARY 

Henry  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

COMMITTEE    ON   EXAMINATION   OP    CANDIDATES 
FOR   THE    HOUSE   STAFF 

Robert  Abbe,  M.D.  Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D. 

COMMITTEE  ON  EXAMINATION  OF  PUPIL  NURSES 
EN    SURGICAL   SURJECTS  IN    MEDICAL    SUBJECTS 

Charles  L.  Gibson,  M.D.  Samuel  W.  Lambert,  M.D. 

Henry  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D.  Henry  S.  Patterson,  M.D. 

IN    MEDICINES 

William  V.  Byard,  Apothecary. 


OUT-PATIENT  DEPARTMENT 


PHYSICIAN    IN    CHIEF   TO 
MEDICAL   DIVISION 

Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D. 

ASSISTANTS 

W.  C.  Calhoun,  M.D. 
Everett  W.  Gould,  M.D. 
J.  Preston  Miller,  M.D. 
Henry  C.  Williamson,  M.D. 
Thomas  Flynn,  M.D. 
H.  Merriman,  M.D. 
A.  Vander  Veer,  M.D. 


SURGEON  IN   CHIEF   TO 
SURGICAL  DIVISION 

William  S.  Thomas,  M.D. 

ASSISTANTS 

Winfield  Seott  Schley.  M.D. 
T.  A.  Kenyon,  M.D 
F.  0.  Virgin,  M.D. 
H.  E.  Plummer,  M.D. 
R.  F.  Longacre,  M.D. 
J.  Preston  Miller,  M.D. 
Frank  C.  Keil,  M.D. 
Lefferts  Hutton,  M.D. 
A.  L.  Malabre,  M.D. 
Otto  H.  Leber,  M.D. 

SURGEON   IN   CHIEF   TO  OPHTHALMIC   DIVISION 

Colman  W.  Cutler,  M.D. 

ASSISTANT 

Alfred  Wiener,  M.D. 

SURGEON  IN  CHIEF  TO  GYNECOLOGICAL  DIVISION 

John  V.  D.  Young,  M.D. 

ASSISTANTS 

F.  0.  Virgin,  M.D.  H.  E.  Gardinor,  M.D. 

Henry  Christie  Williamson,  M.D. 

SURGEON   IN   CHIEF   TO  OTOLOGIC  AL   DIVISION 

E.  B.  Dench,  M.D. 

ASSISTANTS 

F.  T.  Hopkins,  M.D.  Chas.  E.  Perkins,  M.D. 

Abbott  T.  Hutchinson,  M.D.  Wesley  C.  Bowers,  M.D. 

SURGEON  IN  CHIEF  TO  ORTHOPEDIC  DIVISION 

T.  Halsted  Myers,  M.D. 

ASSISTANTS 

Deas  Murphy,  M.D.  H.  D.  Urquhart,  M.D. 


List  of  Contents 


Managers  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital Hi 

Standing  Committees  of  Board  of  Managers iv 

House  Officers v 

House  Staff vi 

Medical  Staff viii 

Pathological    Department ix 

Officers  and  Standing  Committees  of  the  Medical  Board ix 

Out-Patient  Department x 

Surgical  Service  Statistics  for  1911 3 

Surgical  Operations  Performed  in  1911 16 

Esophageal  Strictures.     By  Robert  Abbe,  M.D 19 

Papilloma  of  the  Vocal  Cords.    By  Robert  Abbe,  M.D 22 

Rupture  of  the  Kidney  in  Children.    By  Charles  L.  Gibson,  M.D 25 

The  Surgical  Treatment  of  Colitis.    By  Charles  L.  Gibson,  M.D 33 

Fecal  Concretion  in  the  Fallopian  Tube.    By  Walton  Martin,  M.D 37 

Extensive  Epithelioma  of  the  Cheek  with  Secondary  Involvement  of  the 

Genial  Glands.     By  H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D 39 

The  Bottle  Operation  for  Hydrocele  of  the  Tunica  Vaginalis:  Ten  cases. 

Three  failures.    By  H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D 42 

Intradural  Section  of  the  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth  and  First  Dorsal  Posterior 

Nerve  Roots  for  Intractable  Brachial  Neuralgia :  Failure  to  relieve  the 

Pain.    Later  Section  of  the  Corresponding  Anterior  Roots  with  no  Relief. 

By  H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D 44 

Gumma  of  the  Liver  as  a  Sequel  to  Yaws.    By  H.  H.  M.  Lyle.  M.D 46 

Chronic  Perisigmoiditis  with  Partial  Volvulus.    By  H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. ...  48 
Perforation  of  a  Simple  Ulcer  of  the  Colon :  Operation.    By  H.  H.  M.  Lyle, 

M.D 49 

A  Series  of  Cases  of  Surgery  of  the  Small  Intestine.    By  W.  Scott  Schley, 

M.D 52 

Simplified  Equipment  and  Management  for  the  Operating  Room.     By  W. 

Scott  Schley,  M.D 70 

Extrusion  of  Medullary  Bone  Splint.    By  W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D 76 

Two  Cases  of  Stone  in  the  Ureter.    By  W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D 78 

Tuberculous  Peritonitis  Simulating  Recurring  Attacks  of  Appendicitis.    By 

W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D 81 

The  Gatch  Bed  in  Surgical  Work.    By  W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D 83 

Subphrenic  Abscess  Complicating  Appendicitis.    By  John  Douglas,  M.D 85 

Five  Cases  of  Esophageal  Obstruction  from  Three  Different  Causes.     By 

Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D 90 

Three  Cases  of  Ileo-Colic  Intussusception  with  Reduction  and  Anchorage 

by  means  of  the  Appendix  :  Two  Recoveries.    By  Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D.  95 
Mesenteric  Thrombosis   with   Resection   of   Six   Feet  of   Small   Intestine: 

Recovery.    By  Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D 98 

Papilloma  of  the  Bladder  Treated  by  Excision :  Recurrence  Treated  with 

Radium  and  the  High  Frequency  Current.    By  Henry  G.  Bugbee,  M.D. .  .101 

Bilateral  Stricture  of  the  Ureters.    By  Henry  G.  Bugbee,  M.D 106 

Medical  Service  Statistics  for  1911 Ill 

xi 


xii  LIST  OF  CONTENTS 

Report  of  Cases  of  Hodgkin's  Disease.     By  Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D.,  Otto 

H.  Leber,  M.D.,  and  F.  C.  Wood,  M.D 123 

A  Case  of  Thrombosis  of  the  Vertebral  Artery.     By  Henry  S.  Patterson, 

M.D 133 

Report  of  a  Case  of  Acute  Endocarditis  with  Influx  of  all  the  Chorda? 

Tendinese  of  the  Anterior  Curtain  of  the  Mitral  Valves.     By  Lewis  F. 

Frissell,   M.D 135 

A  Report  of  Two  Unusual  Cases  of  Sepsis.    By  Lewis  F.  Frissell,  M.D 153 

The  Dilatation  Test  for  Chronic  Appendicitis.    By  W.  A.  Bastedo,  M.D 159 

The  Vaccine  Treatment  of  Typhoid  Fever.    By  Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D.  and 

Norman  E.  Ditman,  M.D 164 

A  Case  of  Paget's  Disease.    By  Karl  M.  Vogel,  M.D 168 

The  Purin  Content  of  Foodstuffs.    By  Karl  M.  Vogel,  M.D 175 

Acute   Bichloride  of  Mercury   Poisoning:    A  Report  of  Two  Cases  with 

Recovery.    By  Lefferts  Hutton,  M.D 177 

A  Case  of  Latent  Dissecting  Aneurism  of  the  Aorta  and  Ruptured  Sacciform 

Aneurism.    By  Lefferts  Hutton,  M.D.  and  J.  Gardner  Hopkins,  M.D 180 

Report  of  a  Case  of  Chronic  Ulcerative  Colitis,  with  Signa  and  Symptoms 

of  Addison's  Disease.    By  Edward  N.  Packard,  M.D 188 

Pneumococcus  Septicemia.    By  A.  E.  Neergaard,  M.D 192 

Children's  Service  Statistics  for  1911 197 

Orthopedic  Service  Statistics  for  1911 203 

An  Operation  for  Securing  Motion  in  Ankylosis  of  the  Elbow  designed  to 

prevent  the  Subsequent  Occurrence  of  Flail  Joint.    By  T.  Halsted  Myers, 

M.D 205 

The  Radical  Operation  with  the  Application  of  the  Primary  Skin-Graft,  for 

The  Relief  of  Chronic  Middle-Ear  Suppuration.     With  Report  of  Cases. 

By  Edward  Bradford  Dench,  M.D 211 

A  New  Era  in  Medicine  in  New  York.    By  F.  C.  Wood,  M.D 217 

Selecting  Lenses  for  Photo-Micrography.    By  F.  C.  Wood,  M.D 227 

Case  of  Incomplete  Rupture  of  the  Heart  due  to  Coronary  Hemorrhage. 

By  J.  Gardner  Hopkins,  M.D 242 

Report  of  the  Wassermann  Reactions  done  by  the  Pathological  Department 

during  the  Year  1911.    By  C.  H.  Bailey,  M.D 246 

Complement  in  Human  Serum.    By  C.  H.  Bailey,  M.D 255 

Effects  on  Titrations  of  Inequality  of  Sensitization  of  Corpuscles.     By  C. 

H.  Bailey,  M.D 258 

The  Determination  of  Copper:  A  Modification  of  the  Iodide  Method.     By 

E.  C.  Kendall,  Ph.D 265 

The  Determination  of  Iodine  in  the  Presence  of  other  Halogens  and  Organic 

Matter.    By  E,  C.  Kendall,  Ph.D 272 

A  New  Method  for  the  Determination  of  the  Reducing  Sugars.     By  E.  C. 

Kendall,  Ph.D 288 

Atropin  Therapy  in  Diabetes  Mellitus.    By  Herman  O.  Mosenthal,  M.D 316 

Anatomical  Study  of  a  Thoracopagus.    By  J.  R.  Pawling,  M.D 320 

Report  of  the  Pathological  Department  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital  for  the  Year 

1911.     By  F.  C.  Wood,  M.D 324 

Plans  of  the  Roentgen  Ray  Laboratory,  Under  Construction  on  the  Third 

Floor  of  the  Travers  Pavilion,  St.  Luke's  Hospital.     By  Leon  Theodore 

Le  Wald,  M.D 339 

Report   of   a   Case   of   Dilatation    of   the    Stomach.      Medical   Treatment. 

Recorded  by  Means  of  the  X-ray.  By  Leon  Theodore  Le  Wald,  M.D. . .  .340 
Practical  Notes  from  the  Surgical  Division  of  the  Out-Patient  Department 

By  William  S.  Thomas,  M.D 345 

Possible  Causes  of  Failure  Following  the  Use  of  Bacterial  Vaccines  and 

Antisera.    By  H.  E.  Plummer,  M.D 349 


Surgical  Service 


SURGICAL    STATISTICS    FOR    1911 


ALIMENTARY  SYSTEM 

INTESTINES 


DO 

a 

o 

03 

-o 

n 

u 

a 

3 

o 

O 

Colitia   

Colitis,  mucous  adhesions 

Colitis   (ulcerative),  hemorrhages. 

Diverticulitis    

Duodenal  ulcer 

Duodenal  ulcer,  peritonitis 

Duodenal  ulcer,  volvulus 

Enteritis,  gastro-enteritis 

Enteroptosis 

Ileus 

Ileus,  band 

Ileus,  intestinal  adhesions 

Intestinal  indigestion 

Intussusception 

Perisigmoiditis 

Vicious  circle 


Hernia  (femoral) 

Hernia  (femoral,  incarcerated),  ing.  hernia 

Hernia  (femoral,  strangulated) ) 

Hernia  ( inguinal ) 

Hernia  (inguinal  sliding) 

Hernia  (inguinal  strangulated) 

Hernia  (inguinal),  oedema  of  lungs,  broncho-pneu 

Hernia  (umbilical) 

Hernia  ( ventral ) 

Hernia,  (ventral  strangulated) 

Hernia    (ventral),   ileus,    abscess   of   abdominal    wall 

general  peritonitis 

Hernia  (umbilical),  abscess  of  scrotum,  croup , 

Hernia  (inguinal),  pleurisy  with  effusion 

Hernia  (inguinal),  lobar  pneumonia , 

Hernia  (inguinal),  phimosis,  undescended  testis , 

Hernia  ( omental ) 


LIVER 


Abscess  of  liver 

Abscess  of  liver,  diffuse  peritonitis 

Abscess  of  liver,  miliary  tbc 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  oedema  of  lungs 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  endocarditis,  ascites,  oedema  of  lungs 
Hepatitis  (interstitial),  displacem't  of  transverse  colon 
Jaundice  (obstructive) 


BILE    PASSAGES 


Cholecystitis 

Cholecystitis  (gangrenous),  peritonitis. 

Cholecystitis,  toxic  insanity 

Cholecystitis  (suppurative) 

Cholelithiasis 

Cholelithiasis  with  adhesions 

Cholelithiasis,  cholangitis 


29 


1 
1 
128 
1 
4 
1 
7 
23 
3 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 


184 


18 


2 

143 
1 
3 


193 


1 
2 
1 
1 
3 
3 
1 
1 
3 
7 
4 
1 
2 
5 
1 
1 

37 


10 
1 
2 
154 
1 
4 
1 
7 

25 
3 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

214 


5 
1 
1 
1 
26 
1 
1 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


ALIMENTARY  SYSTEM — Continued 


Bile  Passages — Cont. 

Cholelithiasis,  cholecystitis 

Cholelithiasis,  carcinoma  of  pancreas. 

Cholelithiasis,  pleuro-pneumonia 

Empyema  of  gall  bladder 

Hydrops,  stone  in  common  duct 


MOUTH,    GUMS    AND    TEETH 

Alveolar  abscess 

Painful  alveolar  process , 

Suppurating  root  of  tooth 


OESOPHAGUS 


Stricture  of  oesophagus 

Stricture  of  oesophagus,   gastric   adhesions,   gangrene 
of  lung 


PANCREAS 


Pancreatitis  (acute),  cholecystitis 

Pancreatitis  (hemorrhagic),  delirium  tremens. 


PERITONEUM 


Abscess  of  peritoneum 

Adhesions 

Peritonitis,  cause  unknown. 


PHARYNX,    TONSILS    AND    NASOPHARYNX 


Abscess  (peritonsillar) 

Adenoids 

Hypertrophy  of  tonsils 

Hyp.  tonsils,  facial  paralysis. 

Hyp.  tonsils,  adenoids 

Tonsillar  hemorrhage 

Tonsillitis  (follicular) 


Abscess  ( anal ) 

Atresia  of  anus 

Fissure  in  ano 

Fistula  In  ano 

Fistula  in  ano,  pul.  tbc 

Fistula  (fecal) 

Fistula  (fecal),  old  appendicitis,  peritonitis. 

Hemorrhoids 

Hemorrhoids,  with  enlarged  glands,  neuritis. 

Ischio-rectal  abscess 

Ischio-rectal  abscess,  sub-ac.  nephritis 

Proctitis,  ischio-rectal  abscess 

Prolapse  of  anus 

Prolapse  of  rectum,  erysipelas 

Stricture  of  rectum 


STOMACH 


Gastritis  (atrophic)   cirrhosis  of  liver 

Gastritis  (chr.) 

Gastritis  (chr.),  morphinism,  neurasthenia. 

Gastritis  (chr.),  perforation 

Indigestion 

Ptosis,  dilatation 


47 


10 


139 


123 


37 


140 


54 


10 
1 
2 

1 

"i 

106 


1 
1 

1 

20 


10 
1 
2 
3 
1 

53 


3 

7 
2 

12 


6 
10 
25 

1 
97 

5 

2 

146 


1 
1 
7 

29 
2 
7 
1 

63 
1 

13 
1 
2 
3 
1 
2 

134 


SURGICAL  STATISTICS  FOR  1911 


ALIMENTARY  SYSTEM— Continued 

d 

O 

d 

a 

a 

d 
P 

13 

0) 

s 

"3 
0 

Stomach — Cont. 
Pyloric  obstruction 

3 
2 
5 
1 

2 
1 
3 
1 

1 
1 
2 

9 

3 

2 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 
1 

7 

2 

VERMIFORM    APPENDIX 

Appendicitis  (acute) 

14 

65 

30 

30 

1 

1 

1 

11 

61 
24 

28 

3 

4 

1 
5 

1 
1 
1 

27 
65 

31 

30 

Appendicitis  (ac. ),  peritoneal  abs.,  pulmonary  embolus 

1 

1 

Appendicitis  (ac.  catarrhal) 

1 
3 
190 
1 
3 
7 
4 
1 
16 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

Appendicitis  (chronic  catarrhal) 

3 

Appendicitis  (chr.) 

191 

7 

5 

1 

1 

203 

2 

3 
7 
6 
1 
16 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

3 

7 

2 

1 

6 

1 

2 

17 

1 

Appendicitis  (sub-acute),  ac.  pneumonia 

1 

Appendicitis    (sub-acute),   thrombosed  veins  of  thigh, 

1 

Appendicitis  (relapsing),  renal  calculus 

1 

Appendicitis  (relapsing),  suppurative  pneumonia 

1 

1 

1 

6 

CARDIOVASCULAR  SYSTEM 

BLOOD 

359 

346 
1 

14 

1 

1 
1 

13 

379 

2 

Anemia  (pernicious.) 

1 

1 

1 

ARTERIES 

1 
1 

1 

3 
1 

1 

4 
1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

VEINS 

4 

2 
1 

3 

2 

9 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

20 

1 

"20 

1 

1 

1 
3 

3 

1 

26 
1 

HEART 

22 

23 

6 

3 

1 
1 
1 

32 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

.... 

3 

3 

ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


CARDIOVASCULAR  SYSTEM— Continued 

a 

O 

0 

S 

Ui 

5 

"3 
0 

EH 

LYMPH    GLANDS 

5 
16 

1 
6 

1 

6 
10 

1 
6 
1 
1 

'  '    6 

1 

7 

16 

Lymphadenitis    (femoral) 

1 

3 

9 

1 

1 

1 

CONNECTIVE   TISSUE 

29 
1 

25 

'  'i 
l 
l 

2 
1 

1 
7 
6 

2 

3 
9 
4 

1 
1 
2 

9 
1 

35 

1 

1 

1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
8 
8 
3 
1 
3 
1 
12 
4 
1 
1 
2 

1 

1 

2 

Abscess  of  popliteal  space 

1 

1 

2 
3 
3 

9 

9 

Cellulitis  of  arm  (gangrenous) 

3 

Cellulitis  of  broad  ligament 

1 

2 
7 
1 

i 
i 

3 

6 

Cellulitis  of  hand 

16 

Cellulitis  of  leg 

5 

Cellulitis  of  parotid  region 

1 

Cellulitis  of  penis 

1 

Cellulitis  of  scalp 

2 

Cellulitis  of  scalp,  necrosis  of  maxilla 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Hematoma  of  chest  wall 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

Hematoma  of  scrotum,  hydrocele 

1 

3 

1 

Perineal  inflammation  following  urethral  stricture... 

1 
3 

'  i 

1 

1 
4 

DUCTLESS  GLANDS 
Addison's  disease 

56 

47 

21 

1 
3 

5 

2 

75 
1 

Goitre  (simple) 

8 
3 
1 
2 

1 

6 

3 
1 

'  i 

9 

3 

Hyperthyroidism   

1 

1 

1 

2 

Parotiditis    (acute) 

1 

5 

1 

MUSCULAR  SYSTEM 
Bursitis  of  popliteal  space 

15 
1 

11 

1 
1 

17 
1 

Myosotis 

1 

1 

2 
1 

'  '2 

1 

NERVOUS  SYSTEM 

BRAIN 

Abscess  of  brain 

2 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 
2 

Cyst  of  ventricle 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

3 

5 

DISEASES   OF   THE    MIND 

3 

3 

5 

.... 

9 
1 

6 

2) 

NERVES 

7| 

1 
9 

SURGICAL  STATISTICS  FOR  1911 


NERVOUS  SYSTEM— Continued 


Nerves — Cont. 

Neuralgia  (trifacial),  paralysis,  eczema. 

Neuritis   (brachial) 

Neuritis  (peripheral) 

Neuritis    (retro-bulbar) 


NERVOUS  DISEASES  OF  UNKNOWN  ORIGIN 


Hysteria   

Nervous  prostration 

Neurasthenia  (traumatic) 

Spasmodic   torticollis 

Zoster,  gangrenous  hystericosus  of  forearm. 


SPINAL  CORD 


Locomotor  ataxia 

Syringomyelia,   paraplegia. 
Tabes  dorsalis 


OSSEOUS  SYSTEM 


Athetosis  of  arm 

Coccygodynia  

Hypertrophy  of  turbinate  bone 

Necrosis  of  vertebrae 

Necrosis  of  maxilla 

Necrosis  of  femur.  Pott's  Disease 

Osteitis  (rarefying) 

Osteomyelitis  of  femur 

Osteomyelitis  of  forehead 

Osteomyelitis  of  humerus 

Osteomyelitis  of  maxilla 

Osteomyelitis  of  metacarpal  bones  of  hand. 
Osteomyelitis  of  metatarsal  bones  of  foot .  .  . 

Osteomyelitis  of  tibia 

Periosteitis  of  phalanx  of  hand 

Periosteitis  of  femur 

Periosteitis  of  tibia 

Periosteal  abscess  of  maxilla 

Rickets 

Sequestrum  of  maxilla 


JOINTS 


Ankylosis  of  ankle 

Ankylosis  of  hip  and  knee 

Arthritis  (chr.)  of  knee 

Arthritis  (suppurative)  of  ankle 

Bunions 

Hypertrophy  of  int.  ligament  of  knee.  . 
Hypertrophy  of  synovial  folds  of  knee. 

Osteo-arthritis  of  hip 

Osteo-arthritis  of  knee  and  vertebra?.. 
Synovitis  of  knee 


REPRODUCTIVE    SYSTEM— FEMALE 

OVARY 

Atrophy  of  ovary 

Abscess  (tubo-ovarian. ) 

Cystic  ovary 

Cystic  ovary   (multilocular) 

Cystic  ovary,  pregnancy 

Oophoritis 

Oophoritis  (atrophic) 


27 


10 


22 


1 
4 
39 
2 
1 
9 
1 


1 

1 
2 
2 

15 


11 


1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
6 
2 
1 
2 
2 
3 
2 
3 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 

35 


2 

1 
2 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
3 

14 


1 
4 

40 
2 
1 

10 
1 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


REPRODUCTIVE     SYSTEM— FEMALE— Continued 


Ovary— Cont. 


Parovarian  cyst. .  . 
Prolapse  of  ovary. 


UTERINE    TUBES 

Hematosalpinx 

Hematosalpinx  with  twisted  pedicle,  pregnancy 

Hydrosalpinx 

Pyosalpinx   

Pyosalpinx  with  abscess 

Pyosalpinx    with    abscess,    thrombosis   of   broad   liga- 
ment and  iliac  veins 

Salpingitis  (acute) 

Salpingitis   (chronic) 

Salpingitis  (chr.)  post-op.  shock,  peritonitis 

Salpingitis  (chr.),  peritonitis 

Salpingitis  (perforative) 

Salpingitis  with  pelvic  abscess 

Pyosalpinx,  paralytic  ileus,  peritonitis 

Salpingo-oophoritis 


UTERUS 


Abscess  of  broad  ligament 

Anteflexion   

Cyst  (intra-ligamentous) 

Dysmenorrhea 

Endocervicitis 

Endometritis   (chr.) 

Endometritis  (glandular) 

Endometritis  (hypertrophic) 

Erosion  of  cervix 

Menopause  (artificial) 

Metrorrhagia 

Prolapse  of  uterus 

Prolapse  of  uterus,  rectocele,  cystocele 

Prolapse  of  uterus,  laceration  of  cervix  and  perineum 

Retroversion 

Retroversion,  pregnancy 

Retroversion  with  adhesions 


PREGNANCY,   ETC. 


Abortion   (complete) 

Abortion    (incomplete) 

Abortion  (threatened) 

Abortion  (incomplete),  pelvic  abscess. 

Ectopic  gestation 

Ectopic  gestation  (ruptured) 

Lithopedion 

Pelvic  abscess 

Pelvic  abscess,  pyometra 

Pelvic  abscess,  ileus 

Pregnancy  

Retained  placenta 

Toxemia  of  pregnancy 


Atresia  of  vagina 

Prolapse  ant.  vaginal  wall. 
Prolapse  post,  vaginal  wall 
Vaginitis 


Abscess  (vulvo-vaginal). 


CO 


26 


112 


180 


79 


20 


60 


3 

1 

3 

23 

1 


6 
45 


18 
104 


1 

7 
4 
4 
1 
74 
1 
1 


1 

2 
18 
1 
2 
53 
1 
1 


172 


4 
19 


1 
12 


1 
14 


1 
14 

1 


79 


1 

13 

5 

1 


20 


3 
11 


1 
19 


13 


62 


3 

1 

3 

29 

2 

1 
9 

62 

1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
19 

136 


1 

10 
4 
4 
1 

86 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 

22 
1 
2 

53 
1 
1 

792 


4 

22 
5 
1 

12 
8 
1 

16 
1 
1 
5 

16 
2 

94 


1 

13 

5 

1 

20 


SURGICAL  STATISTICS  FOR  1911 


REPRODUCTIVE     SYSTEM— FEMALE— Continued 

O 

d 

a 

a* 
P 

•a 

s 

"3 
© 

Vulva — Cont. 
Abscess  (Bartholin's  gland) 

1 
1 

l 
l 

1 

1 

REPRODUCTIVE  SYSTEM— MALE 

MALE  URETHRA 

3 

1 

10 

1 

4 

1 
9 
1 

i 

5 

1 

Stricture  of  urethra 

3 

1 

1 

14 

Stricture  of  urethra,  calculus,  extravasation  of  urine 

1 

PENIS 

12 

1 

15 

8 

24 
4 

11 

2 
15 

8 

3 

1 

1 

16 
2 

15 

8 

25 
2 

25 

PROSTATE 

1 
1 
2 

1 

4 

1 

8 

1 

4 
1 

7 

9 
20 

4 

10 

1 

SPERMATIC   CORD 

13 

9 
20 

4 

5 

16 
9 

1 

2 

23 

TESTICLE 

29 

1 

29 
1 

1 

2 

32 
1 

1 

3 

1 
4 
1 

1 

3 
1 
2 

|        1 

MAMMARY    GLAND 

3 
1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

RESPIRATORY   SYSTEM 

LARYNX 

9 

6 

3 

10 

1 

LUNGS 

1 

1 

1 
1 

PLEURA 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

16 

1 

1 
5 

13 

1 

10 

Pleurisy  (supp.),  catarrhal  croup,  ac.  bronchitis 

6 

1 

1 
1 

NASAL    CAVITY 

14 

10 

1 
1 

2 

19 

1 

1 

13 

11 

11 

10 


ST.  LUKES  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


RESPIRATORY   SYSTEM— Continued 


Nasal    Cavity — Cont. 


Epistaxis 

Frontal   sinusitis. 


SENSE    ORGANS 


ORGAN    OF    HEARING 


Mastoiditis 

Mastoiditis,  meningitis,  otitis  media 

Mastoiditis,  thrombosis  of  lateral  sinus 

Mastoiditis    (suppurative),    catarrhal   jaundice,    lobar 

pneumonia,  septic  arthritis  of  elbow 

Otitis  media 

Otitis  media  (purulent) 


ORGAN   OF   VISION 


Cataract   

Chalazion   

Conjunctivitis 

Exotropion   

Glaucoma 

Iritis,  dacryocystitis 

Ophthalmitis 

Panophthalmitis 

Rupture  of  cornea ' 

Strabismus 

Traumatic  conjunctival  hemorrhage. 


TEGUMENTARY    SYSTEM 


Carbuncle  of  lip 

Carbuncle  of  neck 

Cicatrix  ( painful ) 

Furunculosis 

Ingrowing  toe-nail 

Pilonidal  cyst 

Purpura  hemorrhagica 

Sebaceous  cyst  of  head. . . . 

Ulcer  of  foot 

Ulcer  of  neck 

Ulcer  (perforative)  of  foot. 
Ulcers  (varicose)  of  leg.  .  .  . 


URINARY    SYSTEM 


Abscess  of  kidney 

Hydronephrosis  

Nephritis  (chr.  interstitial ) 

Nephritis  (chr.  interstitial),  ascites. 

Nephrolithiasis 

Nephroptosis 

Movable  kidney 

Movable  kidney,  pyelonephritis 

Perinephritic  cyst 

Pyelitis  

Pyelonephritis    

Pyonephrosis,  pregnancy 

Renal  colic 

Renal  colic,  hemorrhagic  cystitis.  .  .  . 
Traumatic  nephritis 


URINARY  BLADDER 


11 


18 


19 


23 


Calculus  in  bladder.  .  .  . 
Calculus,  tabes  dorsalis. 


24 


id 


14 


2-A 


16 


12 


1 

'  i 

15 


18 


10 

1 
1 

1 
8 

1 

22 


11 
1 

1 
1 
5 
2 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

26 


1 
4 
2 
2 

1 
2 
1 
3 
1 
1 
3 
7 

28 


1 
4 
3 
2 
11 
5 
4 
1 
1 
2 
3 
1 
2 
1 
1 

42 


SURGICAL  STATISTICS  FOR  1911 


11 


URINARY  SYSTEM— Continued 

o 

c 

a 

3 

a 
P 

01 

5 

"3 
o 

Urinary  Bladder — Cont. 
Cystitis  (hemorrhagic) 

1 
1 
1 

1 

2 

1 

Cystitis,  cystocele 

l 

.  „ 

1 

Cystitis,  tumor  of  bladder 

2 

1 

l 
l 

1 
1 

1 

4 

Ulcer  of  bladder 

1 

6 

2 

1 
1 

2 
1 

DISEASES  DUE  TO  ANIMAL  PARASITES 

6 

4 

3 

15 
1 

1 

CONGENITAL   MALFORMATIONS 
Branchial  genetic  cyst 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

Contraction  of  foot 

1 

2 
1 
4 

2 
1 

5 
1 
2 
4 
2 
2 

2 
1 

6 

1 

Hydrocephalus 

2 

2 

3 
2 
2 

1 

4 

2 

2 

1 

2 

DEFORMITIES 

18 
1 

10 
1 

9 

1 
1 
1 
2 
1 

22 

2 

1 

2 
3 
1 

1 
1 

2 

1 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

LOCAL  INJURIES 

9 

4 

7 
1 

1 

12 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

4 

1 

4 

1 
1 
1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
4 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 

1 

2 
2 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 
3 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

2 
1 

8 

1 

1 

3 

i 

4 

12 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


LOCAL   INJURIES — Continued 


Local    Injuries — Cont. 


Fracture  of  fibula  (Potts') 

Fracture  of  humerus 

Fracture  of  jaw 

Fracture  of  neck  of  femur,  pneumonia. 

Fracture  of  os  calcis 

Fracture  of  olecranon 

Fracture  of  patella 

Fracture  of  phalanx 

Fracture  of  radius 

Fracture  of  radius  (Colles') 

Fracture  of  radius  and  ulna 

Fracture  of  ribs 

Fracture  of  skull 

Fracture  of  tibia 

Fracture  of  tibia  and  fibula 

Fracture  of  tibia  (ununited) 

Fracture  of  vertebrae 

Fracture  of  vertebrae,  alcoholism 

Gangrene  of  foot 

Gangrene   (diabetic)  of  foot 

Gangrene  of  foot,  arterio-sclerosis 

Gangrene  of  foot,  nephritis 

Gangrene   (dry)  of  foot,  nephritis 

Gangrene   (wet)  of  foot 

Heat  prostration 

Laceration  of  cervix  uteri 

Laceration  of  perineum 

Perforation  of  ileum 

Rupture  erector  spinal  muscle 

Rupture  of  ligament  of  knee 

Sinus  of  abdominal  wall 

Sinus  of  leg 

Sinus  of  neck 

Sinus  of  sacro-coccygeal  region 

Sinus  of  thigh 

Sinus,  perirectal 

Sprain  of  ankle 

Wound   (gunshot)  of  face 

Wound   (incised)  of  neck 

Wound   (lacerated)  of  neck 

Wound   (lacerated)   of  hand 

Wound   (lacerated)  of  scalp 

Wound  (lacerated)  of  scrotum 

Wound   (incised)  of  abdomen 


DISEASES  DUE  TO  MICRO-ORGANISMS 


Erysipelas 

Gonococcus  epididymitis 

Gonococcus  salpingitis 

Gonococcus  uterus  and  tubes 

Gonococcus  urethritis 

Malaria 

Pertussis 

Rheumatism  (ac.  articular) 

Scarlet  fever 

Syphilis  (primary) 

Syphilis   (secondary) 

Syphilis  (tertiary) 

Syph.  adenitis,  axillary  and  inguinal. 

Syph.  gumma  of  scalp 

Syph.  gumma  of  liver 

Syph.  osteitis  of  femur 

Syph.  osteitis  of  tibia 

Syph.  fistula  in  ano 

Tbc.  abscess  of  shoulder 

Tbc.  of  bladder 

Tbc.  of  bladder,  nephritis 

Tbc.  of  elbow 

Tbc.  of  eyelid 

Tbc.  of  epididymis,  orchitis 


154 


151 


70 


1 
15 


SURGICAL  STATISTICS  FOR  1911 


13 


DISEASES  DUE  TO  MICRO-ORGANISMS— Continued 


I    O 


Diseases  Due  to  Micro-Organisms — Cont. 


Tbc.  of  finger 

Tbc.  of  foot 

Tbc.  of  glands  of  neck 

Tbc.  of  hand 

Tbc.  of  kidney 

Tbc.  of  knee 

Tbc.  of  lungs 

Tbc.  of  peritoneum 

Tbc.  of  prostate  and  bladder 

Tbc.  of  rib 

Tbc.  of  spine 

Tbc.  of  testicle 

Tbc.  of  uterine  tubes,  pulmonary  tbc 

Tbc.  of  uterus  and  broad  ligament 

Tbc.  costal  cartilage  pectoralis  major 

Tbc.  fecal  fistula 

Tbc.  lumbar  abscess 

Tbc.  ovarian  cyst 

Tbc.  peritonitis,  thrombosis   saphenous   vein,    prolapse 

of  vagina 

Tbc.  keratitis 

Tbc.  salpingitis,  peritonitis,  fecal  fistula 


LOCAL    INFECTIONS 


Infection  of  hand  and  arm 

Infection  of  herniotomy  wound. 
Stitch  abscess 


NEOPLASMS 


Adenoma  of  breast 

Adenoma  of  endometrium 

Adeno-carcinoma  of  colon 

Adeno-carcinoma  of  rectum 

Adeno-carcinoma  of  uterus 

Adeno-fibroma  of  breast 

Adeno-fibroma  of  uterus 

Angioma  of  neck 

Carcinoma  of  abdominal  wall 

Carcinoma  of  antrum 

Carcinoma  of  bile  duct 

Carcinoma  of  bladder 

Carcinoma  of  breast 

Carcinoma  of  cervix  uteri 

Carcinoma  of  chest  wall 

Carcinoma  of  face  and  cheek 

Carcinoma  of  glands  (inguinal) 

Carcinoma  of  intestines 

Carcinoma  of  liver 

Carcinoma  of  lungs  and  pleura 

Carcinoma  of  neck 

Carcinoma  of  oesophagus 

Carcinoma  of  orbit 

Carcinoma  of  ovary 

Carcinoma  of  parotid  gland 

Carcinoma  of  pancreas 

Carcinoma  of  rectum 

Carcinoma  of  rectum,  fibroma  uteri,  pulmonary  throm- 
bosis  

Carcinoma  of  tonsil 

Carcinoma  of  stomach 

Carcinoma  of  tongue 

Carcinoma  of  thorax,  ribs,  axillary  glands,  fracture  of 
femur 

Carcinoma  of  uterus 

Carcinoma  of  vagina 

Carcinoma  of  vulva 

Cyst-adenoma  of  breast 

Cyst-adenoma  of  ovary 


82 


1 
31 


62 


3 
21 

1 
1 
3 

1 
1 


1 

45 

1 


13 

1 


1 
17 

1 


1 
1 
38 
1 
6 
6 
6 
3 
1 
3 
1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

122 


4 
1 
2 
3 
1 
5 
1 
1 
2 
1 
2 
6 

44 
4 
1 
5 
1 

14 
1 
1 
7 
3 
2 
8 
2 
2 

11 

1 

2 

10 

1 

1 
10 

1 
1 

2 
3 


14 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


NEOPLASMS— Continued 


Neoplasms — Cont. 


Cyst-adenoma  of  neck 

Dermoid  cyst  of  ovary 

Dermoid  cyst  of  chest  wall 

Epithelioma  of  face 

Epithelioma  of  forehead 

Epithelioma  of  neck 

Epithelioma  of  nose 

Epithelioma  of  lip 

Epithelioma  of  orbit 

Epithelioma  of  maxilla 

Epithelioma  of  tongue 

Epithelioma  of  tonsil 

Epithelioma  of  toe 

Epithelioma  of  vagina 

Epithelioma  of  vulva 

Epulis   

Exostosis  of  hard  palate 

Exostosis  of  os  calcis 

Fibromyoma  of  uterus 

Fibromyoma  of  uterus,  pregnancy 

Fibroma  of  omentum 

Fibro-sarcoma  of  femur 

Glioma  of  ulna  nerve 

Lipoma  of  abdominal  wall 

Lipoma  of  buttock 

Lipoma  of  chest  wall 

Lipoma  of  chest  and  arms 

Lipoma  of  neck 

Lipoma  of  shoulders 

Lipoma  of  thigh 

Lymphangioma  of  neck 

Lympho-sarcoma  of  neck 

Hemangioma  of  hand 

Myxo-sarcoma  of  thigh 

New  growth  of  patella 

Neuro-fibroma-lipomata  (multiple) 

Papilloma  of  bladder 

Papilloma  of  larynx 

Papilloma  of  toe 

Papilloma  of  ovary,  pregnancy 

Polyp  of  rectum 

Polyp  of  uterus 

Sarcoma  of  bladder 

Sarcoma  of  abdominal  wall 

Sarcoma  of  leg 

Sarcoma  of  maxilla 

Sarcoma  of  mediastinum,  aneurysm  of  aorta. 

Sarcoma  of  testis 

Sarcoma  of  neck 

Sarcoma  of  sacrum 

Sarcoma  of  sheath  of  thigh  muscle 

Sarcoma  of  tibia 

Tumor  of  abdomen 

Tumor  of  breast 

Tumor  of  face 

Tumor  of  intestines 

Tumor  of  neck 

Tumor  of  parotid 

Tumor  of  prostate 

Tumor  of  rectum 

Teratoma  of  abdomen 

Teratoma  of  testicle 


INTOXICATIONS 


Auto-intoxication 

Diabetes  mellitus 

Diabetes,  ulcers,  nephritis. 

Gout 

Morphinism    


2G4 


1 
194 


79 

1 
1 
1 

i 

4 


40 


32 


SURGICAL  STATISTICS  FOR  1911 


MISCELLANEOUS 


Donor  in  transfusion 

Diagnosis  not  made 

For  observation 

No  pathological  condition 


SUMMARY 


Alimentary  System 

Cardiovascular  System.  .  . 

Connective  Tissue 

Ductless  Glands 

Muscular  System 

Nervous  System 

Osseous  System 

Reproductive  System 

(Mammary  Gland) 

Respiratory   System 

Sense  Organs 

Tegumentary  System 

Urinary  System 

Animal  Parasites 

Congenital  Malformations. 

Deformities 

Local  Injuries 

Micro-organic  Diseases. . . . 

Neoplasms 

Intoxications 

Miscellaneous 


Total 2189  2047 


919 
57 
56 
15 
2 
11 
35 

533 
9 
25 
37 
23 
30 


18 

9 

154 

89 
264 


872 

51 

47 

11 

2 

7 

16 

512 

6 

22 

25 

14 

27 


10 

4 

151 


194 

1 
7 


10 


75 

21 

21 

5 

1 

19 

28 

49 

3 

12 

20 

12 

21 


9 
7 
70 
46 
79 
4 
10 


512 


2 
'  9 

11 


37 
6 
5 

1 

"8 

3 

20 

1 

3 

2 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

15 

14 

40 

ii 

174 


2 

7 

3 

16 

28 


48 
5 
2 


5 

2 
18 

'  2 
1 
1 
6 


6 

2 

22 


122  2854 


OPERATIONS— 1911 


ALIMENTARY   SYSTEM 

INTESTINES 


Cecostomy  

Colostomy   

Entero-eolostomy    

Entero-enterostomy   . . . 

Enterostomy 

Enterorrhaphy   

Ileo-colostomy 

Ileo-colectomy 

Intestinal  anastomosis. 

Jejunostomy   

Proctoscopy  

Resection  of  intestines. 


HERNIA 

Femoral  hernia  repair 8 

Inguinal  hernia  repair 107 

Omental  hernia  repair 2 

Umbilical  hernia  repair 8 

Ventral  hernia  repair 20 

LIVER    AND    BILE    PASSAGES 

Cholecystenterostomy 2 

Cholecystectomy 17 

Cholecystostomy 12 

Cholecystotomy 8 

Choledochotomy 1 

Cholelithotomy 3 

Duodenorrhaphy  1 

Duodenostomy 1 

Incision  for  abscess  of  liver 1 


MOUTH,    TONGUE    AND    TEETH 

Extraction  of  tooth 

Incision  of  alveolar  abscess 

Partial  glossectomy 


OESOPHAGUS 


Dilatation  of  oesophagus. 
CEsophagotomy 


PERITONEUM,     OMENTUM     AND     RETHO-PERITO- 
NEAL    TISSUES 

Celiotomy 4 

Closure  of  perforation 1 

Division  of  adhesions 16 

Exploratory  celiotomy 35 

PHARYNX,     TONSILS     AND     NASOPHARYNX 

Adenoidectomy   9 

Adenoidectomy  and  tonsillectomy 78 

Incision  for  peritonsillar  abscess 3 

Tonsillectomy 18 

RECTUM,  ANUS  AND  PERI-EECTAL  TISSUES 

Clamp  and  cautery 36 

Dilatation  of  sphincter  ani 9 

Excision  of  fistula  in  ano 2 

Excision  of  mucous  membrane  of  rectum  4 

Incision  of  fistula  in  ano 21 

Incision  of  ischio-rectal  abscess 7 

Incision  of  peri-rectal  abscess 1 

Ligation  of  hemorrhoids 7 

Proctectomy 1 

Proctoscopy 2 

Dissection  of  fistulous  tract 2 


STOMACH 

Gastrectomy  (partial) 

Gastroenterostomy 

Gastropexy 


VERMIFORM    APPENDIX 

Appendicectomy 219 

Appendicectomy  with  drain 69 

Appendicostomy 2 

Appendipexy l 

Drainage  of  appendicular  abscess 4 

CARDIOVASCULAR  SYYSTEM 

ARTERIES 

Ligation  of  artery 2 


VEINS 

Ligation  of  vein 8 

Phlebectomy 32 

LYMPH    GLANDS 

Incision 4 

Lymphadenectomy 44 

Lymphadenectomy   (tbc.  cervical) 17 

CONNECTIVE    TISSUE 

Excision  of  carbuncle 3 

Excision  of  scar 5 

Incision  for  abscess 40 

Incision  for  cellulitis 33 

Repair  of  fistula 6 

Repair  of  scar . . , 5 

Repair  of  sinus 5 

DUCTLESS  GLANDS 

Excision  of  goitre 1 

Formation  of  fistula  from  parotid  duct  1 

Incision  of  parotid  duct 1 

Thyroidectomy 8 

MUSCULAR  SYSTEM 

Excision  of  bursae 2 

Excision  of  ligaments 1 

Excision  of  semi-lunar  cartilage  of  knee  1 

Myectomy l 

Tendon  transplantation 3 

Tenoplasty 1 

Tenotomy 1 


NERVOUS  SYSTEM 

BRAIN 


Decompression , 

Drainage  of  abscess 

Elevation  of  depressed  fragments. 

Exploratory  craniotomy 

Subdural  drainage 


NERVES 


Neurectomy. 


SPINAL   CORD 


Laminectomy. 


OSSEOUS  SYSTEM 


Ostectomy 

Osteotomy 

Osteotomy   with   drain      

Reduction  of  fracture  (closed) 
Reduction  (opeb)  of  fracture. 

Resection  of  knee 

Resection  of  carpal  bones 


JOINTS 


16 


Arthrectomy 

Arthrodesis 

Arthrotomy 

Excision  of  meniscus 

Excision  of  synovial  folds. 
Removal  of  foreign  body .  . 


8 
12 

7 

1 
4 
1 
1 


OPERATIONS  PERFORMED— 1911 


17 


REPRODUCTIVE   SYSTEM 

OVARY 

Excision  of  cyst 5 

Incision  for  cyst 2 

Oophorectomy 37 

Plastic  on  ovary 3 

Shortening  ligament  of  ovary 1 

UTERINE  TUBE 

Salpingectomy 44 

Salpingectomy  with  drain 4 

Saipingo-oophorectomy 85 

UTERUS 

Amputation   of  cervix  uteri 2 

Curettage 116 

Excision   of    intraligamentous   cyst....  2 

Hysterectomy   (complete) 4 

Hysterectomy    (partial) 4 

Hysterectomy  (supravaginal) 64 

Hysteropexy  (round  ligament) 25 

Hysteropexy  (ventral) 32 

Myomectomy 6 

Tracheoplasty 11 

Trachelorrhaphy 12 

VAGINA  AND  PELVIC  FLOOR 

Colpoplasty 5 

Colporrhaphy 15 

Oolpotomy 21 

Excision  of  cyst 2 

Incision  of  cyst 1 

Perineoplasty 26 

Perineorrhaphy 24 

Plastic  repair  of  abscess 1 

URETHRA 

Urethrotomy 9 

PENIS 

Circumcision 18 

Incision  of  scrotum  for  abscess 1 

Meatotomy 1 

PROSTATE 

Prostatectomy  (perineal) 6 

Prostatectomy   (suprapubic) 4 

TESTICLES 

Incision  for  orchitis 1 

Orchidectomy 4 

Transplantation  of  testicle 4 

SPERMATIC    CORD 

Bottle  operation  for  hydrocele 1 

Excision  of  hydrocele  sac 6 

Eversion  for  hydrocele 1 

Inversion  for  hydrocele 1 

RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM 

LARYNX,  BRONCHI  AND  TRACHEA 

Tracheotomy 2 

LUNGS   AND  PLEURAE 

Costatectomy 14 

Decortication 1 

Thoracotomy 19 

Thoracostomy 3 

NASAL   CAVITY 

Opening  of  lateral  sinus 1 

Plugging  of  nares 1 

Submucous  resection 9 


ORGAN  OF  HEARING 

Mastoidectomy   (partial) 8 

Mastoidectomy   (radical) 4 

Mastoidotomy 4 

Paracentesis 4 

ORGAN  OF  VISION 

Curettment  for  tbc.  of  eyelid 1 

Dilatation  for  cataract 1 

Discission  of  cataract 2 

Enucleation  of  eyeball 3 

Excision  of  cataract 4 

Excision  of  eyeball 2 

Needling  for  cataract 1 

Removal   of  lens 1 

TEGUMENTARY  SYSTEM 

Excision  of  carbuncle 1 

Excision  of  sebaceous  cyst 3 

Incision  for  furuncle 2 

Onychectomy 1 

Removal  of  foreign  body 2 

Skin  graft 7 

URINARY    SYSTEM 

KIDNEYS 

Decapsulation 1 

Nephrectomy 10 

Nephropexy 3 

Nephrolithotomy 7 

Nephrotomy 4 

Ureterectomy 2 

Ureterotomy 1 

BLADDER 

Cystectomy 1 

Cystorrhaphy 1 

Cystoscopy 11 

Cystostomy 1 

Cystotomy 4 

DEFORMITIES  AND  CONGENITAL  MAL- 
FORMATIONS 

Division  of  double  uterus 1 

Excision  of  scar 2 

Plastic  repair  on  cleft  palate 1 

Plastic  repair  on  hare  lip 3 

Plastic  repair  on  nose 1 

Pozzi  operation  for  infantile  uterus.  ...  6 

INJURIES 

Opening  of  sinus 2 

Removal  of  foreign  body 6 

Suture  of  wound 6 

Wiring  of  jaw  and  teeth 1 

DISEASES   DUE   TO   MICRO-ORGANISMS 

Incision  of  local  infection 1 

NEOPLASMS 

Cauterization 6 

Excision 81 

Plastic  on  regions  involved 16 

AMPUTATIONS 

Amputation  through    mid-forearm 1 

Amputation  of  finger 4 

Amputation  at  hip 1 

Amputation  through  metacarpals 1 

Amputation  through  upper  thigh 1 

Amputation  through  lower  thigh 3 

Amputation  at  knee 1 

Amputation  through  middle  leg 1 

Amputation  through  metatarsus 1 

Amputation  of  toe 11 

Disarticulation  at  knee 1 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Radium  treatment 18 


ESOPHAGEAL    STRICTURES. 
Robert  Abbe,  M.D. 

It  is  but  just  to  a  novel  surgical  procedure,  that  after  a  sufficient 
number  of  years'  trial  the  results  should  be  checked  up  and  a  fair 
record  of  its  established  value  should  be  made. 

By  a  fortunate  observation,  in  1892,  in  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  while 
endeavoring  to  dilate  a  very  tight  resisting  stricture  of  the  lower 
esophagus,  I  found  that  a  Billroth  bougie  (that  is,  a  gum-elastic 
bougie,  tipped  with  a  metal  conical  point,  in  which  a  string  was 
fastened  for  traction)  was  wedged  so  tightly  that  no  reasonably  safe 
pulling  would  bring  it  through  the  stricture.  By  accident  of  the 
moment,  I  happened  to  have  another  heavy  braided  silk  thread  along- 
side of  it,  passing  from  the  open  stomach  wound  to  an  opening  in 
the  upper  esophagus,  which  I  had  made. 

When  the  stricture  resistance  absolutely  prevented  the  bougie  be- 
ing pulled  through,  a  simultaneous  pull  on  the  parallel  string  moved 
the  bougie  unexpectedly  forward.  At  once  I  saw  that  a  back  and 
forth,  or  sawing  motion,  of  the  independent  string,  wore  away  the 
resisting  fibrous  stricture  while  it  was  put  on  the  stretch  by  the  di- 
lating end  of  the  bougie.  Larger  and  larger  bougies  at  once  followed 
as  the  string  completed  the  rasping  or  safe  cutting  of  the  stricture, 
and  the  esophagus  was  enlarged  to  its  full  caliber  in  a  practically 
bloodless  manner. 

An  entirely  new  procedure  was  thus  added  to  the  armentarium 
of  the  surgeon  in  dealing  with  this  hitherto  inoperable  disease  of  the 
esophagus.  I  say  inoperable  because,  although  numerous  cutting  in- 
struments had  been  devised  to  divide  these  tough  strictures,  they 
were  uniformly  condemned  by  surgical  authorities  as  dangerous  to 
use,  because  the  thin-walled  esophagus  lies  parallel  to,  and  in  contact 
with  the  aorta  and  vena  cava. 

This  happy  experience,  first  published  in  the  Medical  Record, 
February  25,  1893,  was  accepted  and  adopted  by  surgeons  generally, 
and  has  been  incorporated  in  most  surgical  works  as  safe  and  efficient. 

39 


20  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

"Without  reviewing  the  large  number  of  published  and  unpublished 
cases,  I  will  speak  only  of  my  subsequent  experience  in  our  hospital. 

The  good  results  are  lasting  if  properly  followed. 

The  first  case  was  of  a  young  woman  who  had  swallowed  pure  am- 
monia, with  consequent  inflamed  esophagus  and  stricture.  She  was 
reduced  to  a  desperate  state  when  I  did  the  above  successful  operation. 

During  the  subsequent  year  a  full-sized  bougie  was  passed  to  the 
stomach;  at  first,  twice  a  week,  then  once  a  week,  then  monthly. 
During  the  years  following,  she  passed  it  herself,  several  times  yearly, 
until,  after  10  years,  she  gave  it  up,  as  there  was  no  tendency  to 
recurrence.  When  I  saw  her,  more  than  15  years  later,  she  was  in 
perfect  health,  and  I  could  detect  no  stricture  even  with  a  bougie 
a  boule.  That  particular  patient  had  a  stricture  of  no  great  length, 
perhaps  a  half  inch,  though  very  tight,  admitting  merely  a  thread, 
following  a  whalebone  filliform  passed  up  from  the  opened  stomach. 

Many  cases  which  I  have  since  operated  on  have  uniformly  shown 
long  stretches  of  the  esophagus  (often  one-third  or  one-half),  showing 
tight,  fibrous,  solid  remnants  with  the  canal  almost  closed. 

Two  of  these  are  beautifully  shown  in  the  pictures,  Figs  1  and  2. 

Another  case,  of  which  either  of  these  pictures  would  be  repre- 
sentative, was  brought  to  me  from  Philadelphia,  6  or  7  years  ago, 
and  furnishes  a  fair  illustration  of  what  we  may  expect  in  the 
final  outcome  of  such  bad  cases.  The  child  was  emaciated  to  a  skeleton, 
and  the  best  that  could  be  offered  to  the  parents  by  two  of  our  most 
eminent  surgeons,  by  other  surgical  methods,  was,  to  create  a  gas- 
trostomy opening  and  thus  feed  the  child  for  the  rest  of  its  life. 
I  first  created  such  an  opening  and  fed  the  child  until  it  was  strong 
and  hearty.    Eight  weeks  later  I  did  the  string  cutting  esophagotomy. 

Dilatation  was  kept  up  for  many  weeks  at  first  with  anaesthesia 
for  safety.    Then,  as  the  child  bore  it  well,  by  easy  passage  of  bougie. 

The  family  physician  persisted,  for  2  or  3  years,  patiently  and 
conscientiously,  to  pass  the  bougie,  and  the  child  ate  everything,  as 
other  children.  He  writes  me  now  that  she  has  grown  to  be  a  fine, 
robust  girl,  and  has  a  normal  acting  esophagus. 

It  may  be  said  of  all  these  cases  that  they  are  caused  by  swal- 
lowing caustic  or  burning  fluids.  I  have  never  seen  or  heard  of 
a  stricture  following  the  long  retention  of  foreign  bodies  in  the 
esophagus,  such  as  tooth-plates,  toys,  coins,  etc.,  which  necessarily 
make  an  ulcerated  area  after  a  few  weeks.  I  judge  nature  is  com- 
petent to  dilate  such  narrowings  by  the  ordinary  bolus  of  food  in 


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ESOPHAGEAL  STRICTURES  21 

deglutition.  It  is  the  destructive  type  of  inflammation  similar  to  the 
urethral  infective  type,  which  destroys  the  epithelial  lining  and  re- 
places the  mucous  and  muscular  coats  by  fibrous  tissue,  which  we 
have  to  deal  with. 

It  may  be  asked — how  can  one  expect  ever  to  restore  su  .h  a  tube  ? 
It  is  a  fair  question,  and  can  only  be  answered  by  saying  it  is  never 
restored  to  normal.    That  is,  the  muscular  coat  cannot  be  replaced. 

Nevertheless,  a  perfectly  competent  and  practically  useful  tube 
is  created  by  carving  a  channel  through  the  fibrous  mass — and  keep- 
ing it  open — until  it  has  been  lined  by  flat  epithelium,  through  Na- 
ture's kindly  and  wonderful  laws  of  repair,  and  until  the  contractile 
tendency  of  the  formed  tissue  has  ceased,  as  it  does  after  months  or 
years,  according  to  the  amount  present. 

The  same  law  of  stenosis  goes  on  precisely  as  in  urethral  strictures, 
unless  dilatation  is  kept  up  at  longer  and  longer  intervals.  The  oc- 
casional passage  of  a  bougie  is  a  very  small  penalty  to  pay  for  a 
perfectly  restored  swallowing  apparatus. 

Taken  altogether,  we  can  truly  say  that  the  annals  of  St.  Luke's 
Hospital  may  be  credited  with  the  demonstration  of  a  successful,  safe 
and  bloodless  method  of  dealing  with  a  bad  surgical  condition  for 
which  no  other  method  is  adapted.  One  may  say  that  some  strictures 
can  be  dilated,  without  cutting.  That  is  true.  And  those  should  al- 
ways be  dilated.  But  the  majority  are  absolutely  undilatable  after 
they  have  become  indurated  by  time,  and  to  these,  fortunately,  this 
method  offers  complete  cure.  The  surgeon,  however,  must  be  sure  to 
follow  up  his  patient  if  the  result  is  to  be  permanent.  That  happy 
issue  is  now  demonstrated  by  this  report  of  20  years'  use. 


PAPILLOMA  OF  THE  VOCAL  CORDS. 

Robert  Abbe,  M.D. 

Warty  vegetations  on  the  vocal  cords  are  the  most  obstinate  of  all 
surgical  conditions  in  recurrence  after  removal — and  most  destructive 
to  voice  and  breathing.  It  is  said  they  sometimes  change  to  cancer 
by  irritation  of  the  basal  cells — but  many  do  not. 

One  of  the  most  extraordinary  illustrations  of  this  persistence  of 
type  is  shown  in  a  woman  of  60,  who  was  first  treated  by  intralaryn- 
geal  excision  by  Dr.  Elsberg,  the  pioneer  laryngologist  of  America — 
who,  more  than  45  years  ago,  began  to  excise  masses  of  these  growths, 
and  continued  to  do  so  2  or  3  times  yearly,  during  his  life.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Dr.  Lincoln,  and  later  by  Dr.  Culbert,  all  experts,  who, 
in  order  to  give  her  breathing  space,  cleared  away  all  visible  growth 
every  6  months.  Dr.  Elsberg  published  her  case  (Trans.  Am.  Med. 
Assn.,  1865)  and  Dr.  Culbert  reported  upon  it  40  years  afterward 
(see  ''The  Laryngoscope,"  St.  Louis,  September,  1904),  giving  pic- 
tures of  the  original  masses  as  illustrated  by  Elsberg. 

This  case  is  one  of  four  in  which  I  have  been  called  upon  to  use 
radium,  and  with  the  same  effect,  as  shown  by  each  case. 

Dr.  Culbert  held  a  device  between  the  cords  containing  20  mg. 
radium,  for  one-half  hour.  Three  months  later  he  reported  almost 
all  growth  had  gone  from  one  side — quicker  than  by  any  removal 
with  instruments  which  he  had  ever  done.  One  year  later  he  examined 
and  reports  it  "to  be  the  cleanest  he  had  ever  seen  it.  One-third  of 
the  inside  of  the  larynx  is  entirely  free  from  papilloma."  One  year 
later  she  was  breathing  even  better,  without  further  treatment,  and 
growths  were  smaller. 

She  then  showed  senile  spinal  paresis,  and  died. 

Two  other  cases,  presenting  great  difficulties,  but  with  fair  demon- 
stration of  the  specific  action  in  curing  them  that  radium  always 
shows  in  curing  warts  elsewhere,  will  be  briefly  mentioned  before  nar- 
rating the  most  brilliant  result  of  a  fourth  case,  herewith  illustrated. 

The  first  is  that  of  a  woman,  voiceless  and  with  stridulous  breath- 

22 


Fig.   1. 


Fig.  2. 


Fig.   3. 


Fie.  4. 


Fig.  5. 


Fig.  G. 


PAPILLOMA  OF  THE  VOCAL  CORDS  23 

ing,  from  whom  Dr.  Josiah  L.  Barton  had  many  times  excised  the 
papillomatous  mass.  To  give  her  relief  at  first,  I  did  a  laryngotomy, 
and  after  excising  the  growths,  applied  monochloracetic  acid  to  the 
base.  Eecurrence  took  place.  Radium  was  then  intra-laryngeally 
applied. 

The  result  has  been  disappearance,  and,  later,  small  recurrence. 
The  patient  regained  her  voice  well.  The  slight  recurrence  has  given 
her  no  annoyance  for  a  year  past,  and  she  has  not  come  to  the  city, 
as  she  is  entirely  satisfied  with  her  present  condition — without  fur- 
ther treatment. 

The  second  case  is  of  a  young  child,  whose  recurrences  filled  the 
larynx,  and  the  laryngologist  had  made  a  permanent  tracheotomy  not 
only  with  no  relief,  but  an  extension  had  followed  downward  in  the 
trachea  itself,  so  that  a  mass  had  grown  on  the  posterior  face  of  the 
trachea,  opposite  the  opening. 

The  child  was  so  intolerant  of  laryngeal  application  of  radium 
that  I  placed  her  in  St.  Luke's,  and  under  ether,  made  a  thorough 
use  of  strong  radium,  held  in  place  one-half  hour.  The  result  was  a 
diminution  in  the  disease,  but  it  required  a  second  application,  after 
6  months,  to  further  control  its  growth.  At  the  present  time,  there 
is  still  a  visible  mass,  about  one-third  of  the  original,  hidden  below 
the  vocal  cords,  and  a  very  small  remnant  in  the  tracheal  wound. 
There  may  be  one  additional  treatment  required  to  cure  it,  but  it 
seems  at  present  that  the  final  cure  by  radium  will  be  accomplished. 
An  interval  of  many  months  is  usually  the  best  manner  of  admin- 
istration, inasmuch  as  the  good  effect  always  progresses  that  long  be- 
fore one  can  judge  whether  a  sufficient  dosage  has  been  given. 

The  fourth  case  is  a  delightful  demonstration  of  the  cure  of  papil- 
loma laryngis  by  radium: 

A  girl  of  17  years  had  an  unusually  sweet  singing  voice,  which  she 
noticed  became  hoarse  in  July,  1910.  She  applied  to  Dr.  Culbert  in 
September  following,  who  successfully  removed  a  small  tumor  of  the 
left  vocal  cord — which  Dr.  Ewing  pronounced  "fibroma"  (Fig.  1). 
A  rapid  recurrence  (Fig.  2),  looking  now  like  papilloma,  was  re- 
moved, but  not  examined.  Again  a  rapid  recurrence,  looking  now 
larger  and  more  dusky,  rather  like  a  sarcoma  than  either  papilloma 
or  carcinoma.  It  occupied  the  central  half  of  the  cord,  and  overflowed 
into  the  ventricle.  It  was  difficult  to  control  the  anaesthesia  of  this 
patient's  larynx  so  as  to  make  an  adequate  radium  application,  though 
it  was  carefully  tried.    The  growth  progressed  and  now  seemed  typi- 


24  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

cally  papillomatous — obstructing  respiration  (the  voice  was  gone  en- 
tirely) (Fig.  3).  By  the  following  June  it  occupied  most  of  the  left 
and  much  of  the  right  vocal  cord.  The  pictures  accompanying  show 
its  varied  stages,  the  condition  immediately  before  operation  being 
shown  in  Fig.  4. 

On  June  14th,  I  decided  to  make  a  thorough  radium  application 
under  anaesthesia.  Through  a  tracheotomy  wound,  I  passed  a  wire  up 
to  the  mouth  and  drew  into  the  trachea  a  tube  containing  100  milli- 
grammes of  pure  radium,  which  I  was  able  to  suspend  with  accuracy 
between  the  vocal  cords. 

This  I  kept  in  situ  half  an  hour,  while  ether  was  given  through 
the  tracheal  tube.  Nothing  else  was  done  except  to  allow  the  tube 
to  remain  a  few  days  in  the  trachea,  for  safety.  The  wound  healed 
at  once  on  its  removal. 

Three  months  afterward  (Fig.  5)  the  patient  talked  and  sang 
perfectly. 

Examination  of  the  larynx  showed  and  continues  to  show  an  appar- 
ently normal  condition  (Fig.  6),  with  clean,  white  vocal  cord.  The 
singing  voice  is  restored  completely,  and  is  as  sweet  as  ever. 

This  perfect  condition  remains  after  one  year. 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  KIDNEY  IN  CHILDREN  * 

Charles  L.  Gibson,  M.D. 

Ruptures  or  other  subcutaneous  injuries  are  very  uncommon  in 
children,  only  22  cases  being  reported  in  Watson's1  tables.  My  ex- 
perience comprises  4  cases  of  complete  rupture  in  children  from  8  to 
12  years  old,  and  a  consideration  of  the  conditions  found  furnishes 
some  interesting  features. 

Case  1.— Barbara  S.,  age  10.  Admitted  to  St.  Luke's  Hospital  Aug.  25,  1902. 
Two  weeks  ago  was  kicked  by  a  horse  on  the  right  side  of  the  body  ;  unconscious 
for  a  while.  Next  morning  urine  contained  some  blood ;  none  seen  since.  Some 
swelling  of  the  right  side  developed,  with  a  considerable  amount  of  pain. 
Has  had  no  chills,  but  there  have  been  fever  and  sweating. 

Physical  examination  showed  a  bright,  healthy  child,  with  a  visible  swell- 
ing of  the  right  lumbar  region.  No  superficial  discoloration.  The  swelling 
was  elastic,  insensitive  to  pressure,  flat  on  percussion. 

Urine. — Acid  1018,  no  albumen. 

Operation. — Right  lumbar  incision  showed  the  swelling  to  be  a  large 
retroperitoneal  accumulation  of  normal  appearing  urine.  The  kidney  was 
ruptured  in  two,  the  lower  pole  entirely  separated  from  the  upper  three- 
fourths  of  the  viscus.    Nephrectomy ;  good  recovery.     Discharged  Oct.  3. 

Case  2. — These  details  are  as  exact  as  I  can  furnish  them  from  memory, 
the  record  being  lost. 

Boy,  about  10,  admitted  to  the  Hudson  Street  Hospital,  probably  in  the 
summer  of  1907 ;  run-over  injury ;  abdominal  symptoms ;  median  laparotomy 
by  a  colleague;  negative  findings.  Seen  by  me  several  days  later;  diagnosis 
of  rupture  of  left  kidney.  Lumbar  incision  revealed  complete  tear  of  left 
kidney.     Nephrectomy  ;   good  recovery. 

Case  3.— James  L.,  12.  Admitted  November,  1909,  to  the  Hudson  Street 
Hospital.  While  running  across  the  street,  an  automobile  struck  him  in  the 
left  side,  knocking  him  d6wn.  Scalp  wound,  requiring  two  stitches.  Brought 
to  the  hospital  by  the  guilty  automobile.  Soon  began  to  complain  of  great 
pain  and  tenderness  over  the  left  kidney  region. 

Physical   Examination:     Tenderness  and  rigidity  in  left  hypochondrium, 


*Read   before  the  Section  of   Surgery  of  the  New   York   State  Medical 
Society,  April  17,  1912. 

'Watson  and  Cunningham,  Genito  Urinary  Diseases,  vol.  ii. 

25 


26  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

also  some  slight  discoloration.  Skin  and  mucous  membranes  of  good  color. 
Shortly  after  admission  passed  blood-tinged  urine.  Hemoglobin  color  index 
70  per  cent. 

Operation :  About  eight  hours  after  injury ;  left  lumbar  incision.  Com- 
plete rupture  of  kidney  in  two  pieces.  Nephrectomy ;  drain ;  good  recovery. 
Highest  temperature,  100%°  F.    Discharged  in  three  weeks. 

Case  4.— M.  S.,  girl,  aged  8,  admitted  to  St.  Luke's  Hospital  July  26,  1910, 
complaining  of  pain  in  the  "stomach."  Two  days  before  she  had  fallen  a 
distance  of  four  and  a  half  feet,  landing  on  the  ground  on  the  right  side. 
Went  home ;  complained  of  pain  in  her  stomach,  which  has  continued  ever 
since.  Bowels  regular.  No  trouble  with  urination ;  no  blood  in  the  urine ; 
has  vomited  twice. 

Physical  Examination :  Negative,  except  for  the  abdomen,  which  shows 
general  rigidity,  with  tenderness  on  the  lower  right  side.  Temperature,  102°  F. 
Blood  count :  Leucocytoses,  2,500 ;  polynuclears,  88  per  cent.  No  urine  record. 
Probable  diagnosis,  appendicitis.  Immediate  operation.  Intermuscular  in- 
cision. On  separating  the  muscles  a  considerable  amount  of  fluid  blood  evacu- 
ated. On  opening  the  peritoneum  a  similar  fluid  escaped  from  the  pelvis; 
the  ccecal  wall  was  the  site  of  a  considerable  ecchymosis.  Appendix  normal 
(removed).  The  wound  was  dilated  retroperitoneally  to  aliow  of  a  sponge 
being  pushed  up  into  the  lumbar  region ;  it  returned  bloody,-  but  without  evacu- 
ating any  fluid.  Injury  to  the  kidney  seemed  probable;  it  could  be  palpated 
quite  readily,  but  no  obvious  abnormality  being  detected  (intra-capsular 
rupture),  it  was  decided  to  await  further  developments. 

The  child  recovered  well,  and  seemed  relieved.  The  urine  the  next  day 
(17th)  was:  Neutral  1,034,  very  faint  trace  albumen,  a  few  hyaline  casts; 
July  20,  acid  1,014,  very  faint  trace  albumen,  a  few  leucocytes ;  July  21,  acid 
1,020,  albumen  10  per  cent,  many  red  blood  cells.  In  view  of  this  last  urine 
report,  exploration  was  undertaken.  Right  lumbar  incision.  The  true  capsule 
was  found  intact,  but  distended  with  blood,  and  raised  from  the  kidney. 
On  opening  it,  the  kidney  was  found  broken  completely  in  two,  the  lower 
smaller  fragment  showing  beginning  necrosis.  Nephrectomy ;  drain.  Perfect 
recovery.    Discharged  Aug.  9. 

The  case  is  interesting,  showing  a  complete  rupture  resulting  from 
a  relatively  slight  trauma,  leaving  no  mark  on  the  body  and  producing 
absolutely  no  shock,  the  masking  of  kidney  symptoms  by  the  bruising 
of  the  lower  abdominal  muscles  and  the  colon,  the  absence  of  any 
urinary  symptoms  till  five  days  after  injury,  and  also  that  the 
kidney  may  be  divided  completely  in  two  without  appreciable  solution 
of  continuity  of  its  capsule.  Four  complete  ruptures  of  the  kidney 
in  children  under  12,  occurring  in  the  practice  of  one  surgeon,  seems 
unusual,  in  view  of  the  small  number  of  such  cases  on  record.  It  is 
possible  that  these  cases  are  really  not  so  rare  and  may  be  overlooked, 
with  disastrous  results,  by  those  who  hesitate  to  interfere  in  dubious 
cases.    The  similarity  of  the  lesions  is  interesting,  being  exactly  alike 


-.1} 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  KIDNEY  IN  CHILDREN  27 

in  all  4  cases — complete  division  of  the  viscus  in  2  parts,  the  lower 
one  being  the  lesser.    In  one  instance  the  capsule  remained  untorn. 

The  fact  that  the  kidney  lesions  were  the  same  with  the  different 
kinds  of  violence  seems  to  confirm  the  theory  of  "bursting"  by  hy- 
draulic pressure.  Also  the  line  of  rupture — vertical  to  the  long  axis 
at  about  the  junction  of  the  two  lower  thirds  would  seem  to  indicate 
that  we  had  here  an  instance  of  a  definite  line  of  least  resistance 
such  as  I  have  not  seen  indicated  in  any  of  the  treatises  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

Although  the  lesion  in  all  these  cases  was  severe,  the  symptoms,  on 
the  whole,  were  mild,  and  in  several  ways  deficient.  Nephrectomy 
was  necessary  in  every  instance,  and  successful;  no  other  operation 
would  have  been  permissible.  Three  of  the  children  have  been  under 
observation  and  remained  well. 

As  regards  the  etiology  of  such  severe  injuries,  it  is  obvious  that 
children  are  relatively  little  exposed  to  the  various  forms  of  trauma 
commonly  encountered  by  active  men  (96  per  cent  of  all  cases).  Most 
modern  observations  seem  to  corroborate  Kuttner's  view,  that  the 
kidney  being  a  semi-fluid  body,  bursts  along  the  line  of  least  resistance 
according  to  the  law  of  hydraulics.  Direct  pressure  from  the  lower 
ribs  can  also  explain  it.  It  is  less  easy,  however,  to  understand  the 
effects  of  indirect  violence  as  from  a  fall  on  the  feet.  A  point,  how- 
ever, to  be  borne  in  mind,  illustrated  in  two  of  my  cases,  is  that  the 
severest  form  of  damage  may  result  from  an  injury  unaccompanied 
by  marks  of  external  violence  on  the  surface  of  the  body  in  the  kidney 
region  or  anywhere  else.  Possibly  in  some  children  a  persistence  of 
the  infantile  ptosis2  may  persist,  leaving  more  of  the  surface  unpro- 
tected by  the  thoracic  bulwark.  The  particular  vulnerability  in  child- 
hood has  also  been  ascribed  to  the  minimum  deposit  of  perinephric 
fat  and  the  greater  tension  of  the  overlying  peritoneum. 

The  extent  of  the  lesion  naturally  runs  the  gamut  from  the  mildest 
of  superficial  bruises  to  the  complete  rupture  observed  in  my  4  cases — 
to  the  tearing  away  of  the  kidney  from  its  vascular  pedicle  or  the 
ureter  or  complete  pulpifying  from  extraordinary  crushes.  In  the 
less  extensive  injuries  it  is  of  practical  importance  whether  the  tear 
involves  or  extends  into  the  pelvis — whether  larger  vascular  trunks 
are  destroyed,  with  resulting  dangerous  hemorrhage  or  jeopardizing 
the  future  vitality  of  portions  of  the  organ — whether  the  injury  is 

sAglave,  Bulletin  de  la  Soc.  d'Anatomie  de  Paris,  1910,  p.  595. 


28  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

subcapsular,  and  finally,  whether  there  is  a  coexistent  tear  of  the 
peritoneum  or  injury  of  the  contiguous  viscera.  Unfortunately,  few 
if  any  of  these  lesions  can  be  diagnosticated  with  certainty  as  regards 
their  extent,  particularly  at  a  period  when  early  interference  may  be 
all-important.  A  consideration  of  the  nature  of  the  violence  is  help- 
ful. Injuries  resulting  from  direct  violence  will  probably  produce  a 
rupture  of  the  kidney  alone  by  "bursting"  violence.  Gross,  direct 
violence,  such  as  "run  over"  accidents,  are  more  likely  to  result  in 
complex  lesions.  The  intensity  of  the  violence  is,  however,  not  a 
trustworthy  guide,  as  shown  by  Case  I,  where  a  complete  rupture  re- 
sulted from  the  kick  of  a  horse  that  left  no  mark  on  the  skin.  It 
must  also  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  pathological  kidney  may  rupture 
from  the  most  trivial  accident  (Watson's  case  of  the  woman  whose 
hydronephrotic  kidney  ruptured  from  muscular  action — washing 
windows). 

The  loss  of  blood  resulting  from  any  of  these  injuries  naturally 
varies.  Generally  speaking,  it  is  rarely  sufficient  to  endanger  life 
quickly;  it  is,  rather,  the  constant  and  recurring  hemorrhage  that  is 
most  to  be  dreaded.  Even  with  extensive  rents  of  the  kidney,  the 
integrity  of  the  capsule  tends,  by  tension,  to  check  extraordinary 
bleeding. 

As  regards  diagnosis,  it  may  be  stated  broadly  that  a  diagnosis 
of  some  degree  of  injury  to  the  kidney  presents  little  difficulty.  Sta- 
tistics give  a  history  of  hematuria  in  80  per  cent  of  the  cases,  and 
certainly,  with  painstaking  microscopic  urinary  examinations,  this 
figure  would  be  increased.  It  will  not  ordinarily  be  difficult  to  ex- 
clude lesions  of  other  portions  of  the  urinary  tract,  e.g.,  of  the  blad- 
der, practically  always  complicated  by  a  fracture  of  the  pelvis.  The 
history  or  evidence  of  an  injury  which  may  implicate  the  kidney  will 
generally  be  elicited,  pain,  tenderness  and  eventually  more  or  less 
pronounced  signs  of  the  extravasation  of  blood  or  urine,  or  both,  in  the 
marked  cases,  will  accentuate  the  diagnosis  and  also  indicate  the  side 
involved.  For  unusual  cases  and  conditions,  the  cystoscope  or  ureter 
catheter  may  be  used;  but  as  a  routine,  these  are  uncalled  for,  as 
well  as  unwise,  and  in  children  can  scarcely  ever  be  used,  and  if  re- 
quiring anesthesia,  had  better  be  replaced  by  a  harmless  and  more 
satisfying  exploratory  and  therapeutic  lumbar  incision. 

What  is  most  difficult  is  to  determine  the  extent  of  the  lesion,  and 
particularly  as  regards  the  conditions  which  most  urgently  call  for 
interference.    The  initial  symptoms,  with  the  exception  of  the  degree 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  KIDNEY  IN  CHILDREN  29 

of  shock  and  hemorrhage,  do  not  present  any  features  which  sharply 
indicate  the  severity  of  the  damage — it  is  rather  on  the  development 
and  sequence  of  secondary  manifestation  that  we  have  to  rely,  or, 
perhaps,  waste  valuable  time. 

Very  severe  injuries  or  very  mild  ones  may  be  usually  diagnosed 
with  readiness,  especially  with  a  definite  knowledge  and  appreciation 
of  the  nature  of  the  causative  violence.  For  instance,  a  child  is  run 
over  by  a  heavy  wagon,  as  reported  by  a  competent  witness — there 
are  extensive  marks  on  the  body,  there  is  abundant  and  early,  perhaps 
immediate,  hematuria,  there  is  marked  shock.  Given  these  conditions, 
there  should  be  a  severe  laceration  of  the  kidney  and  perhaps  of  other 
contiguous  organs,  possibly  entailing  a  laceration  of  the  peritoneum 
overlying  the  kidney.  These  complicating  conditions  may  not  always 
be  obvious  at  the  outset,  although  these  marked  and  dangerous  symp- 
toms will  manifest  themselves  later — too  late,  probably,  to  remedy 
them. 

On  the  other  hand,  a  lad  may  be  hit  a  severe  blow  in  boxing — the 
so-called  "kidney  blow" — feels  a  good  deal  of  pain,  may  be  tem- 
porarily dizzy  or  sick  at  his  stomach,  sooner  or  later  the  urine  is 
tinged  with  blood.  Such  a  history  and  such  findings  indicate  a  tri- 
fling condition  requiring  no  active  treatment. 

It  is,  however,  the  cases  of  moderate  severity  or  of  incomplete 
symptoms  that  are  the  most  difficult  to  judge.  The  degree  of  initial 
shock  is  alone  no  criterion;  it  may  be  intense,  certainly,  for  a  short 
time,  with  only  a  trifling  injury ;  it  may  be  insignificant  or  wanting, 
with  the  severest  damage.  The  degree  of  hemorrhage  is  also  mis- 
leading; a  small  vessel  may  bleed  savagely  for  a  while,  and  if  the 
bulk  of  the  hemorrhage  finds  a  ready  escape  down  the  ureter  we  shall 
have  an  alarming  picture  for  a  perhaps  trifling  condition.  On  the 
other  hand,  mechanical  obstacles — rupture  of  the  pelvis  or  ureter  (or 
blocking),  clotting  or  absence  of  considerable  hemorrhage  from  the 
kidney,  may  result  in  little  hematuria  even  in  the  presence  of  the 
severest  damage. 

Absence  of  visible  marks  of  external  violence  is  no  criterion,  for 
complete  rupture  may  occur  despite  this  negative  evidence  (Cases  I 
and  IV). 

The  significance  of  a  swelling  in  the  flank  varies  a  good  deal.  If 
considerable  and  early,  it  usually  means  extensive  damage.  Some 
of  it  may  be  due  to  the  trauma  to  the  abdominal  wall,  some  to  the  bulk 
of  the  extravasated  blood,  some  to  the  reaction  of  irritated  intestines 


30  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

inhibiting  peristalsis,  or  to  an  actual  lesion  of  the  gut,  or  later,  to  a 
peritonitis  due  to  extravasation  of  urine,  or  an  infection  of  the 
retroperitoneal  tissues  or  from  associated  injuries. 

The  amount  of  urine  collecting  in  the  tissues  will  depend  on 
whether  the  injury  involves  a  rupture  of  (a)  the  capsule,  (b)  pelvis, 
(c)  ureter,  and  whether  the  urine  can  accumulate  in  a  well-defined 
space,  or  whether  opportunity  is  offered  for  extravasation  into  the 
tissues  or  the  peritoneum.  Tuffier  has  shown  from  animal  experi- 
ments, and  clinical  observations  have  corroborated  that  the  lacerated 
renal  surface  per  se  allows  little  or  no  urine  to  escape. 

Later  swellings  may  be  due  to  secondary  infections.  A  consider- 
able and  increasing,  well-defined  (colon  pushed  forward)  swelling 
with  remission  of  acute  symptoms  and  absence  of  inflammatory  signs 
would  indicate  the  retroperitoneal  accumulation  of  a  well  walled-off 
collection  of  urine  whose  escape  down  the  ureter  is  shut  off — explora- 
tory puncture  (if  deemed  wise)  will  prove  the  condition. 

It  is  obvious  that  we  are  not  able  to  diagnosticate  accurately  the 
extent  of  many  of  these  lesions.  We  know  also  that  many  such  in- 
juries, while  not  rapidly  producing  death,  may  do  so  eventually  on 
account  of  the  many  complications  that  may  arise.  My  feeling  is  that 
we  should  not  hesitate  in  dubious  cases  to  complete  our  diagnosis  by 
an  early  exploratory  lumbar  incision,  which  will  also  fill  a  useful  and 
probably  necessary  therapeutic  role.  Not  many  years  ago  we  thought 
ourselves  competent  to  differentiate  the  several  forms  of  appendicitis 
— few  surgeons  to-day  care  to  take  such  a  risk,  and  prefer  to  replace 
doubt  with  certainty,  and  I  believe  that  the  varying  possibilities  for 
harm  of  a  kidney  lesion  furnish  a  reasonable  analogy. 

As  regards  prognosis,  statistical  data  of  large  series  of  cases  have 
been  collected  to  show  results  both  of  the  condition  and  the  value  of 
the  various  forms  of  treatment,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  the  older  figures 
have  much  value  to-day. 

Suter,3  in  1905,  found  in  a  study  of  701  subcutaneous  injuries  of 

the  kidney : 

Per  cent 

Total  mortality 18.6 

of  131  treated  by  nephrectomy 16.7 

"  "         "    143  conservative   operations 14.6 

"   427  treated  expectantly 20.6 

If  these  figures  are  of  any  value  at  all,  certainly  an  expectant 

'Suter,  Beit,  zur  klin.  Chirurgie,  Band  47. 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  KIDNEY  IN  CHILDREN  31 

treatment  which  has  a  mortality  of  over  20  per  cent  does  not  make 
a  very  impressive  showing.  With  modern  technique,  generalization 
of  skilled  operators,  efficient  means  of  combating  shock,  etc.,  to  refrain 
from  operation  satisfied  with  a  mortality  of  20  per  cent,  cannot  be 
accepted  as  progress.  Watson  showed,  in  a  series  of  99  cases  of  oper- 
ation in  which  the  condition  of  the  kidney  called  only  for  minor  pro- 
cedure, there  were  only  7  deaths,  the  cause  of  death  being  found, 
generally,  to  conditions  independent  of  the  operation  proper  (injury 
of  the  other  kidney,  peritonitis).  Watson  has  formulated  the  indica- 
tion for  treatment  as  follows: 

Cases  suitable  for  expectant  treatment : 

1.  The  milder  forms  of  the  injury. 

2.  The  cases  in  which  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  both  kidneys  have 

been  injured,  the  signs  being  external  evidence  of  injury  on  both 
sides,  tumor  in  both  loins,  and  anuria. 

3.  Cases  in  which  there  are  injuries  of  other  parts  of  the  body  of  such 

grave  character  as  to  make  futile  any  operative  treatment  of  the 
renal  lesion. 
Cases  demanding  operative  treatment : 

1.  All  in  which  there  is  evidence  of  progressive  hemorrhage,  e.g.,  increas- 

ing pallor,  pulse  of  declining  strength  and  increasing  rapidity,  sigh- 
ing respiration,  and,  locally,  a  tumor  in  the  loin  which  is  increasing 
in  size ;  or  an  increasing  amount  of  free  fluid  in  the  peritoneal 
cavity  in  the  cases  complicated  by  intra-abdominal  injuries. 

2.  Hematuria  which  persists  for  a  long  time,  even  though  the  quantity 

of  blood  is  at  no  one  time  large ;  hematuria  in  which  there  is  a  large 
amount  of  blood,  even  though  it  has  not  lasted  long;  hematuria 
which  recurs  after  having  ceased ;  sudden  cessation  of  a  previously 
profuse  hematuria,  and,  if  there  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  both 
kidneys  are  injured. 

4.  Cases  in  which  there  is  evidence  of  intra-  or  perirenal  suppuration, 

or  of  peritoneal  infection. 

My  own  feeling  would  be  that  we  should  refrain  from  immediate 
operation  in  (a)  all  milder  cases,  presenting  no  one  symptom  of  any 
severity,  and  giving  a  history  of  injury  wThich  is  presumably  of  no 
great  violence ;  (b)  cases  of  generalized  injury  with  a  very  bad  general 
condition,  and  absence  of  urgent  kidney  symptoms. 

For  the  latter  class  I  would  urge  an  exploratory  operation  with 
an  appreciable  increase  of  any  or  all  symptoms  at  an  early  date. 
Operation  in  some  form,  then,  is  indicated  for  all  milder  cases  that 
show  a  tendency  to  increase  their  symptoms  and  for  all  other  cases, 
barring  those  falling  in  class  B.  My  attitude  in  the  border-line  cases 
would  be,  when  in  doubt  operate,  believing  that  by  such  a  routine 


32  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

measure  we  will  not  let  some  seemingly  mild  case  slip  through  our 
fingers.  As  regards  the  time  of  operation,  in  general,  one  should 
operate  as  early  as  possible,  but  if  the  main  symptom  is  not  that  of 
an  increasing  anemia  (repeated  examinations  of  the  hemoglobin), 
one  might  well  occasionally  give  the  patient  a  few  hours  to  pull  him- 
self together,  though  such  a  delay  should  not  be  entertained  if  we 
have  associated  intraperitoneal  injuries  calling  for  prompt  relief. 

As  a  rule,  the  incision  should  give  an  extra-peritoneal  approach  by 
the  lumbar  route — it  is  the  most  direct,  avoids  infecting  the  perito- 
neum, and  does  not  require  handling  and  blocking  off  of  protruding 
intestines.  Moreover,  it  will  provide  the  safe  and  efficient  drainage 
demanded  in  most  of  these  conditions.  An  anterior  incision  should  be 
reserved  for  injuries  which  presumably  involve  the  intraperitoneal 
organs — even  in  these  cases  a  supplementary  lumbar  incision  for 
drainage  may  be  indicated,  particularly  if  a  nephrectomy  is  not  per- 
formed. 

Nephrectomy  should  be  reserved  for  the  cases  in  which  the  integ- 
rity of  the  kidney  cannot  be  preserved,  and  it  is  obvious  that  hemor- 
rhage cannot  be  effectually  stopped  or  prevented  otherwise,  or  the 
outflow  of  the  urine  into  the  ureter  cannot  be  efficiently  restored.  In 
the  event  of  doubt  arising,  regarding  the  integrity  of  the  other  kid- 
ney, nephrectomy  may  be  deferred  until  sufficient  information  is  ob- 
tained. Meanwhile,  the  injured  kidney  should  be  attended  to,  per- 
itoneum if  torn,  sutured  or  packed,  laceration  sewn  if  advisable,  the 
pelvis  drained  and  the  whole  or  part  of  the  wound  packed  and  drained 
efficiently.  Where  nephrectomy  is  not  required  suture  or  packing 
with  drainage  will  suffice.  How  much  more  efficient  suture  rather 
than  packing  a  lacerated  area  will  prove,  is  to  me  an  open  question. 
I  think  not  much  time  should  be  lost  in  performing  it  and  it  should 
perhaps  be  reserved  for  cases  in  which  packing  may  less  efficiently 
check  bleeding.  The  main  indication  is  to  provide  free  drainage, 
which  will  minimize  the  disastrous  secondary  effects  of  injury  and 
extravasation. 

This  paper  is  written  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  rupture  of 
the  kidney  in  children  is  probably  commoner  than  generally  esti- 
mated. That  the  lesion  is  frequently  severe,  consisting  of  a  complete 
division  of  the  kidney  into  unequal  halves.  That  shock  and  other 
symptoms  may  be  slight  and  out  of  proportion  to  the  gravity  of  the 
lesion.  That  operative  interference  should  be  more  freely  employed 
and  gives  good  results. 


THE  SURGICAL  TREATMENT  OF  COLITIS.* 

Charles  L.  Gibson,  M.D. 

My  interest  in  the  surgical  treatment  of  colitis  dates  back  to  1900, 
when  I  devised  a  line  of  treatment  intended  to  replace  the  only  means 
recognized  then  as  efficient,  namely,  artificial  anus.  This  method  of 
mine  is  the  one  most  generally  used  to-day ;  but  its  origin  and  useful- 
ness has  been  considerably  obscured  by  the  introduction  of  a  modifica- 
tion in  the  technique  of  my  original  operation  by  Weir,  substituting 
for  my  valvular  caecostomy  appendicostomy.  I  hope  to  be  pardoned  if 
I  make  this  paper  the  subject  of  a  review  of  the  development  of  the 
more  modern  treatment. 

As  regards  the  value  of  the  artificial  anus,  I  had  been  very  skeptical, 
in  the  brief  years  it  flourished,  whether  the  cure  was  not  worse  than 
the  disease.  Moreover,  the  evidence  advanced  of  its  curative  value 
was  oftentimes  unconvincing,  and  it  was  natural  that  the  relief  ob- 
tained should  only  be  partial  unless  a  complete  artificial  anus  was 
made,  absolutely  eliminating  the  fecal  current  from  reacting  the  colon. 
If  a  complete  artificial  anus  were  made,  its  eventual  repair  required 
a  severe  operation  with  a  high  mortality. 

I  set  out  deliberately  to  devise  a  form  of  operative  treatment  that 
should  be  the  antithesis  of  the  artificial  anus,  allowing  of  no  escape 
of  fecal  contents. 

I  felt  that  if  the  principles  of  ordinary  surgical  drainage  and  clean- 
liness could  be  applied  to  the  large  intestine,  we  would  have  gained 
considerably  in  facilitating  the  healing  of  the  ulcerated  surfaces.  That 
result  I  thought  could  be  brought  about  by  devising  a  means  of  fre- 
quently flushing  the  large  intestine,  greatly  diluting  its  irritating 
contents  and  removing  them  from  prolonged  contact  with  the  ulcer- 
ations. So  if  we  could  give  the  patient  an  opening  in  the  bowel  for 
access  to  its  contents  and  yet  prevent  their  egress,  the  problem  would 
be  solved. 

The  Kader  form  of  gastrostomy  had  then  come  to  be  considerably 

♦Read  before  the  International  Surgical  Association  at  Brussels,  September, 

1911. 

33 


34  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

employed,  and  all  I  had  to  do  was  to  use  the  same  technique  in  the 
caecum  which  I  did.  At  the  outset  I  believed  that  by  making  a  suitable 
incision  (intermuscular)  we  should  have  a  small  and  easily  controlled 
wound,  confinement  to  bed  for  its  healing  10  days  or  less,  the  patient 
could  then  receive  ambulant  treatment  or  administer  it  himself  by 
introducing  the  tube  several  times  a  day  and  flushing  out  the  bowel 
with  various  appropriate  solutions.  During  the  intervals  neither  tube 
nor  dressing  need  be  worn,  and  the  closure  of  the  wound  would  be 
automatic  as  the  discontinuance  of  the  passage  of  the  tube  for  a  few 
days  would  allow  of  the  valve  action  to  become  permanent. 

All  these  theoretical  requirements  were  found  in  general  to  be 
feasible  in  practice ;  but  owing  to  the  introduction  of  appendicostomy 
two  years  later,  the  origin  of  the  method  was  lost  sight  of.  I  was  a 
long  time  in  getting  an  opportunity  to  perform  this  operation  myself ; 
but  two  of  my  kind  friends,  to  whom  I  described  this  procedure,  were 
good  enough  to  make  a  trial  of  it  at  my  suggestion. 

Dr.  P.  R.  Bolton  performed  it  in  1900,  reporting  the  case  in  the 
Medical  Record  for  March  16,  1901,  and  in  November,  1901,  Dr.  F.  H. 
Markoe  also  performed  it  at  my  suggestion.  My  first  case  was  per- 
formed later  in  1901.  The  method  was  described  in  a  paper1  read  by 
me  March  5,  1902,  in  Boston,  but  publication  was  delayed  till  Sep- 
tember. 

Dr.  Weir,  in  April,  1902,  did  my  operation  at  my  suggestion.  The 
same  day  he  had  a  second  ease,  and  having  had  some  difficulty  with 
my  technique  (tube  was  pulled  out  after  being  put  in  place),  decided 
to  use  the  lumen  of  the  appendix  as  the  channel.  He  lost  no  time  in 
getting  into  print,  so  that,  when  my  article  appeared,  appendicostomy 
had  already  been  claimed  as  the  proper  treatment  for  colitis,  and  is 
generally  so  used.  I  think,  whatever  its  merits  from  the  technical 
standpoint,  that  the  modern  treatment  owes  its  origin  distinctly  to  me. 
That  is,  if  I  had  not  shown  Dr.  Weir  how  to  do  a  valvular  colostomy, 
he  never  would  have  thought  of  treating  colitis  except  by  the  forma- 
tion of  an  artificial  anus. 

I  cheerfully  recognize  the  merits  of  appendicostomy.  It  is  a  little 
simpler  for  a  person  without  much  surgical  skill  to  perform,  and  there- 
fore safer.  The  appendix  may,  however,  not  be  of  a  suitable  size  or 
position  (retrocecal)  to  lend  itself  properly  to  the  procedure,  and  the 

'The  Creation  of  an  Artificial  Valvular  Fistula  for  the  Treatment  of  Chronic 
Colitis  (Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  Sept.  25,  1902). 


THE  SURGICAL  TREATMENT  OF  COLITIS  35 

patient  has  to  wear  constantly  a  dressing,  which  is  not  the  case  with 
my  technique. 

So  there  still  remains  some  sphere  of  usefulness  to  the  original 
operation,  and  I  repeat  its  original  description,  as  given  in  the  Boston 
Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  September  25,  1902. 

The  technique  is  as  follows:  A  small  incision — preferably  the 
McBurney  intermuscular — is  made  over  the  caput  coli.  If  desirable, 
the  anaesthetic  can  be  discontinued  as  soon  as  the  peritoneum  is 
opened.  Nitrous  oxide  gas  anaesthesia  might  be  used.  With  an  in- 
telligent and  self-controlled  patient  local  anaesthesia  might  suffice. 
Should  there  be  any  difficulty  in  bringing  the  colon  to  the  surface,  I 
see  no  positive  disadvantage  in  utilizing  the  lower  ileum.  Two  Lem- 
bert  sutures,  half  an  inch  apart,  are  inserted,  and  the  caecum  opened 
between  them.  A  soft  catheter,  about  30°  F.,  is  introduced  so  that 
it  projects  well  into  the  bowel,  and  the  original  sutures  tightly  tied. 
The  wall  of  the  gut  is  further  infolded  around  the  tube  in  two  super- 
imposed layers.  The  ends  of  the  superficial  layer  are  used  to  suture 
and  hold  the  caecum  to  the  musculo-aponeurotic  structures.  The  tube 
may  also  be  secured  in  place  by  passing  a  finer  catgut  stitch  through 
its  wall.  The  abdominal  wound  is  closed  at  the  angles,  or  packed.  It 
will  be  safer  not  to  begin  irrigation  before  3  or  4  days.  The  tube 
may  be  withdrawn  in  a  week  or  10  days,  being  introduced  only  when 
necessary  for  the  irrigation,  and  withdrawn  so  soon  as  it  has  served 
its  purpose.  If  our  ideal  has  been  attained,  there  will  be  no  leakage, 
even  when  the  colon  is  visibly  distended.  Treatment  should  be  per- 
sisted in  till  a  cure  is  obtained.  Closure  of  the  fistula  occurs  spon- 
taneously with  the  discontinuance  of  the  daily  passage  of  the  catheter. 

It  seems  to  me  unwise,  if  not  impossible,  to  attempt  at  present  to 
formulate  any  indications  for  the  employment  of  this  measure.  From 
what  has  been  related,  it  is  fair  to  say  that  certain  forms  of  colitis  can 
be  cured  by  it.  It  may  be  objected  that  such  cases  and  the  ones  here 
described  are  of  the  milder  variety  that  would  yield  to  the  orthodox 
treatment.  Personally,  it  seems  that  the  results  have  been  more  di- 
rect, progressive  and  prompt  than  are  attained  by  the  non-operative 
measures. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  do  not  cherish  any  illusions  regarding  certain 
forms  of  ulceration,  such  as  the  tubercular,  that  may  be  properly  con- 
sidered as  incurable,  especially  when  accompanied  with  similar  or 
more  extensive  changes  in  the  small  intestine.  Actual  experience 
only  can  determine  whether  by  frequent  cleansing  of  these  ulcerating 


36  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

surfaces  and  by  neutralization  of  the  products  of  decomposition  we 
can  somewhat  ameliorate  the  symptoms,  and  if  to  an  extent  that  war- 
rants actual  interference. 

With  regard  to  the  therapeutic  agents  that  may  prove  of  value 
when  so  locally  applied,  I  can  only  indicate  those  ordinarily  employed. 
For  the  present  I  shall  rely  principally  on  the  mechanical  cleansing  by 
flushing  the  bowel  with  an  appropriate  bland  solution,  such  as  the 
normal  saline.  It  may  either  be  used  as  a  continued  irrigation,  escap- 
ing through  the  rectal  tube,  or  the  colon  may  be  filled  to  moderate 
distention,  say  3  quarts,  and  subsequently  evacuated.  The  frequency 
should  be  established  by  the  tolerance  of  the  bowel  and  the  urgency 
of  the  symptoms.  At  the  beginning,  if  well  borne,  I  should  prefer  to 
repeat  the  irrigation  at  regular  intervals  of  8  or  12  hours,  possibly 
oftener.  Agents  destined  to  exert  a  direct  influence  on  the  ulcerating 
surfaces  will  naturally  act  better  after  the  preliminary  cleansing. 
They  should  be  introduced  separately  from  the  saline,  or  after  it  has 
been  evacuated.  The  bowel  should  be  flushed  with  plain  water  prior 
to  the  use  of  substances  such  as  AgN03,  which  combine  with  the 
saline. 

The  required  therapeutic  agents  will  also  vary  somewhat  with  the 
nature  of  the  colitis.  Gradually  increasing  strengths  of  quinin  and 
methylene-blue  have  been  recommended  for  the  amoebic  form.  Nitrate 
of  silver  in  strengths  increased  from  1-20,000  will,  I  think,  prove  the 
best  single  remedial  and  stimulating  agent.  The  whole  gamut  of  the 
milder  non-poisonous  antiseptics,  especially  of  the  naphthol  group, 
may  be  tried,  as  well  as  the  ordinary  astringents.  Small  doses  of  iodo- 
form in  emulsion  might  be  tentatively  tried  in  the  tubercular  form. 
Glutol,  a  non-irritating  derivative  of  formalin,  which  acts  so  admir- 
ably in  ordinary  suppurations,  might  also  be  employed.  The  patient 
should  be  on  an  appropriate,  chiefly  proteid,  diet. 

My  own  experience  is  very  small,  but  gratifying.  Six  cases.  One 
tubercular  case  (unsuitable)  was  not  improved.  Four  cases  were 
cured.  In  one  subsequently  operated  upon  by  another  surgeon  for 
another  condition,  marked  healing  of  many  of  the  ulcerated  areas 
was  found.  One  patient  almost  moribund  was  operated  upon  with 
local  anaesthesia  very  satisfactorily  and  was  completely  restored  to 
health. 

None  of  these  cases  was  of  the  amoebic  variety,  which  I  believe  is 
hard  to  cure  by  this  or  any  other  means,  and  are  liable  to  undergo 
relapse  sometimes  after  long  intervals  of  freedom  from  symptoms. 


:f. 


FECAL  CONCRETION  IN  THE  FALLOPIAN  TUBE. 
Walton  Martin,  M.D. 

On  March  8,  1911,  a  Swedish  girl,  20  years  old,  unmarried,  was 
admitted  to  the  hospital.  She  had  been  ill  for  2  weeks.  During  that 
time  she  had  had  severe  sharp  pain  in  the  lower  right  quadrant  of  the 
abdomen.  The  pain  had  not  been  constant,  but  had  occurred  at  in- 
tervals. She  had  felt  ill,  and  had  had  fever.  There  had  been  no 
disturbance  with  bowel  or  bladder. 

On  examination,  there  was  well  marked  rigidity  on  both  sides  of 
the  lower  abdomen,  but  it  was  more  marked  on  the  right  side.  The 
patient  looked  ill.     The  temperature  was  101°,  the  pulse  142. 

The  diagnosis  of  appendicitis  was  made,  and  operation  was  done 
as  soon  as  the  patient  could  be  prepared.  On  opening  the  peritoneum, 
there  was  a  gush  of  foul-smelling  pus.  The  appendix  had  partly 
sloughed  away  and  only  the  proximal  end  could  be  found.  This  was 
removed  and  a  drainage  tube  introduced. 

The  patient  made  a  slow  but  satisfactory  recovery  and  left  the  hos- 
pital 5  weeks  later,  with  a  normal  temperature.  There  was  still, 
however,  a  discharging  sinus  at  the  site  of  the  incision.  The  dis- 
charge was  purulent  and  foul-smelling,  but  not  fecal.  A  probe  could 
readily  be  passed  for  several  inches  along  a  fistulous  tract. 

The  patient  returned  to  her  work,  but  reported  at  the  hospital 
from  time  to  time,  and  on  August  7,  1911,  4  months  after  her  first 
operation,  she  was  again  admitted,  as  she  still  had  the  discharging 
abdominal  sinus.  This  sinus  seemed  to  have  changed  little  since  she 
had  left  the  hospital.  From  time  to  time  it  had  discharged  small 
amounts  of  very  foul  pus,  and  she  had  had,  at  times,  considerable 
pain  in  her  side.  It  was  evidently  not  a  fecal  fistula,  and  the  per- 
sistence of  the  sinus  was  supposed  to  be  due  to  the  failure  to  remove 
the  distal  portion  of  the  appendix.  It  was  supposed  that  the  presence 
of  this  distal  portion  was  causing  the  trouble.  An  operation  was 
advised. 

On  August  8,  1911,  an  incision,  circumscribing  the  old  scar,  was 

37 


38  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

made,  and  the  fistulous  tract  carefully  dissected  out.  The  tract  led 
downward  and  inward  between  loops  of  intestine,  until  it  reached 
a  dark  purple,  tubular  mass  about  the  size  of  the  index  finger;  from 
the  end  of  this  structure  pus  was  exuding  through  a  pin-point  open- 
ing. Followed  mesially  this  structure  became  narrower  and  finally 
joined  the  uterus.  It  was  obviously  the  uterine  tube.  It  was  re- 
moved, and  the  abdominal  wall  closed.  The  wound  healed  satisfac- 
torily, and  the  patient  left  the  hospital  at  the  end  of  3  weeks. 

The  specimen  removed  was  tubular  and  8  cm.  long.  It  measured 
0.5  cm.  at  the  uterine  end,  and  2  cm.  at  the  distal  end.  On  cutting  it 
open,  a  fecal  concretion,  about  1  cm.  in  length,  was  seen  in  the  lumen  of 
the  thickened  distal  portion.  It  was  identical  in  appearance  with  a 
fecal  concretion  such  as  is  usually  seen  in  the  appendix.  There  was 
pus  in  this  portion  of  the  tube ;  it  had  a  foul,  fecal  odor.  The  fimbriae 
at  the  outer  end  of  the  tube  were  turned  in,  so  that  the  end  of  the 
tube  looked  club-shaped,  as  in  the  ordinary  pyosalpinx.  Microscopic 
examination  snowed  the  walls  of  the  Fallopian  tube  thickened  and 
infiltrated  with  round  cells. 

The  concretion  had  evidently  been  freed  during  the  attack  of  ap- 
pendicitis by  the  sloughing  away  of  the  appendix,  and  had  been  taken 
up  by  the  Fallopian  tube,  where  it  had  found  lodgment  for  4  months. 
The  irritation  of  the  concretion  in  the  tube  caused  the  constant  escape 
of  pus  through  the  end  of  the  tube  into  the  abdominal  sinus. 

I  have  been  unable  to  find  the  record  of  a  similar  case. 


EXTENSIVE   EPITHELIOMA  OF   THE   CHEEK  WITH  SEC- 
ONDARY INVOLVEMENT  OF  THE  GENIAL  GLANDS. 

H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

Although  the  genial  or  facial  glands  were  not  mentioned  by  the 
majority  of  the  older  writers  (Richet,  Bouchard,  Sappey,  etc.),  Mas- 
cagni  described  them  in  1787,  distinguishing  the  supra-maxillary  and 
buccinator  groups.  Boyer,  Jacob  and  Cruveilhier  also  mention  them. 
In  1887,  Poncet  called  attention  to  the  clinical  significance  of  these 
glands;  his  work  was  further  extended  by  his  pupils,  Vigier  (1892), 
Albertin  (1895).  This  clinical  work  stimulated  an  interest  in  the 
subject  and  brought  out  researches  by  Princetau  (1899),  Cappette- 
Laplene  (1899),  Buchbinder  (1899),  Kiittner,  Trendel,  Thevenot 
(1900). 

The  glands  are  found  in  65  per  cent  of  the  cases.  According  to 
Cuneo  and  Poirer,  they  can  be  divided  into  three  sets.  An  inferior  or 
supra-maxillary  group,  situated  on  the  external  surface  of  the  inferior 
maxilla,  close  to  the  facial  vessels.  The  middle  or  buccinator  group 
(Molar  of  Testut  and  Jacob)  are  situated  on  the  external  surface  of 
the  buccinator,  in  front  of  the  anterior  border  of  the  masseter;  they 
are  in  close  relation  to  Stenson's  duct.  The  superior  or  molar  group 
when  present,  are  found  along  the  ascending  branches  of  the  facial, 
one  in  the  supra-orbital  region,  a  second  in  naso-genial  fold,  and  a 
third  on  the  malar  bone. 

Trendel  has  collected  25  cases  of  secondary  cancerous  involvement 
of  these  glands;  cases  are  also  reported  by  V.  Bruns,  Kiittner  and 
others. 

In  the  light  of  these  facts  the  following  case  occurring  on  the  ser- 
vice of  Dr.  Gibson,  is  of  interest : 

The  patient,  a  man,  52  years  old,  was  admitted  to  St.  Luke's  Hospital 
September,  1910.  He  had  a  tumor  of  the  left  cheek,  of  11  weeks'  duration. 
Ten  days  previously  his  physician  had  incised  the  tumor,  but  no  pus  was 
found. 

On  examination,  there  was  a  large,  indurated  swelling  occupying  the  left 

39 


40 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


cheek  and  involving  the  angle  of  the  mouth.  In  the  center  of  the  mass 
there  was  a  discharging  sinus.  The  buccal  surface  showed  a  cauliflower- 
like  growth,  which  was  not  attached  to  the  jaw.  The  sub-maxillary  lym- 
phatics were  enlarged  and  hard.  A  section  of  the  growth  removed  for  ex- 
amination showed  it  to  be  a  squamous-celled  carcinoma. 

Operation.— A  wide  excision  of  the  growth,  including  the  angle  of  the 
mouth,  was  made,  and  the  defect  closed  by  a  modification  of  the  Dowd 
operation,  plus  a  flap  taken  from  the  neck.  Primary  union  resulted.  Ten 
days  previously  a  block  dissection  of  the  neck  and  sub-maxillary  and  sub- 
mental regions  had  been  done. 


Fig.  1. — A,  original  growth.  B,  recurrence  in  Buccinator  group  of  genial 
glands.  C,  recurrence  in  the  inferior  group.  The  dotted  outline  indicates  the 
amount  of  skin  removed. 

Four  months  later,  when  the  patient  returned  for  observation,  an 
examination  showed  that  the  mucoperiosteum  of  the  jaw  had  been  in- 
volved, and  there  were  two  distinct  hard  nodules  on  the  cheek,  one 
just  below  the  center  of  the  malar  bone;  the  second  an  inch  lower 
down  and  posterior  to  the  angle  of  the  mouth.  There  was  no  cervical 
involvement. 

At  a  second  operation,  virtually  the  whole  cheek  below  the  malar 
bone  was  removed,  along  with  the  fascia  and  fat  covering  the  masseter. 
In  this  fascia,  the  buccinator  and  supra-maxillary  groups  of  the  genial 


Fit:.  2. — The  result,  after  the  removal  of  a  large 
portion  of  left  cheek,  the  angle  and  floor  of  the 
mouth,  and  half  the  body  of  the  lower  jaw. 


EPITHELIOMA  OF  THE  CHEEK 


41 


glands  were  found  to  be  involved.  The  left  half  of  the  body  of  the 
jaw,  with  the  involved  mucous  membrane  of  the  floor  of  the  mouth, 
was  removed.  Cutaneous  flaps  were  obtained  from  the  neck  and  the 
right  side  of  the  chin.  Considerable  difficulty  was  experienced,  ow- 
ing to  the  cicatricial  tissue  left  from  the  previous  operation.  The 
buccal  lining  of  these  flaps  was  obtained  by  splitting  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  tongue  and  turning  it  upward,  after  the  method 
suggested  by  Sonnenburg. 


Fig.  3. — Sagittal  section  through  the  mouth,  after  removal  of  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  cheek  and  half  the  lower  jaw,  showing  the  method  of  closing  the 
defect  by  flap  from  the  tongue. 


Three  months  later  a  secondary  plastic  operation  was  performed 
to  widen  the  cavity  of  the  mouth. 

The  points  of  interest  in  the  case  are:  (1)  the  involvement  of 
the  genial  glands,  failure  to  recognize  and  remove  these  at  the  time 
of  the  primary  operation  having  been  one  of  the  causes  of  the  recur- 
rence; (2)  the  use  of  a  flap  of  mucous  membrane  from  the  tongue 
to  line  the  cheek. 


THE    BOTTLE    OPERATION    FOR    HYDROCELE    OF    THE 
TUNICA  VAGINALIS— TEN  CASES— THREE  FAILURES. 

H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

In  order  to  get  the  true  value  of  any  surgical  procedure  it  is 
necessary  to  report  the  failures  as  well  as  the  successes.  In  Keen's 
Surgery,  volume  IV,  page  607,  in  describing  the  "Bottle  Operation," 
Bevan  quotes  E.  Wyllys  Andrews  as  follows:  "I  recommend  it  with- 
out reserve  and  do  not  hesitate  to  urge  that  it  supersede  the  older 
operations. ' ' 

The  following  is  a  brief  account  of  our  experience  with  the  "Bottle 
Operation."  In  a  series  of  10  cases  we  have  had  3  failures.  The 
first  of  these  failures  could  not  be  justly  charged  to  the  operation. 
The  patient  had  a  chronic  cardiac  condition,  which  might  have  been 
a  factor  in  the  passive  congestion  of  the  reversed  sac.  In  the  second 
case,  the  surgical  indications  for  this  operation  were  apparently  per- 
fect. The  failure  was  a  complete  surprise,  and  led  us  to  think  that  it 
was  due  to  some  error  in  technic.  As  the  patient  refused  further 
operative  treatment,  the  cause  of  the  increased  size  of  the  sac  and 
testicle  remained  problematic.  In  the  third  case,  with  the  previous 
failures  freshly  in  mind,  the  operation  was  carefully  and  deliberately 
carried  out.  The  hydrocele  tumor  disappeared,  but  its  place  was 
gradually  taken  by  a  tumor  composed  of  thickened  sac  and  testis, 
This  secondary  condition  was  little  or  no  better  than  the  primary. 
Two  months  later  the  reversed  sac  was  excised  by  Dr.  Douglas.  The 
sac  wall,  which  measured  one-half  inch  thick,  was  composed  of  ede- 
matous connective  tissue. 

The  patient  was  shown  before  the  New  York  Surgical  Society, 
November  8,  1911.  The  discussion  of  the  case  brought  out  the  fact 
that  this  operation  had  failed  in  the  hands  of  other  surgeons.  Dr. 
A.  V.  Moschcowitz  said  that  he  had  abandoned  the  operation  on  ac- 
count of  failures,  and  said  there  was  also  a  good  theoretical  reason 
why  this  operation  should  not  be  done.  In  some  cases  the  testis  are 
fastened  to  the  bottom  of  the  scrotum  by  the  remains  of  Hunter's 

42 


FAILURES  IN  BOTTLE  OPERATION  FOR  HYDROCELE  43 

ligament.  To  perform  this  operation  properly,  in  such  cases,  the 
ligament  has  to  be  cut.  If  this  has  to  be  done,  it  is  just  as  easy,  or 
easier  to  cut  the  sac  away,  that  is,  to  perform  Von  Bergmann's  oper- 
ation. 

The  object  in  reporting  these  failures  is  to  emphasize  the  fact  that 
even  in  selected  cases,  "the  bottle  operation"  may  give  as  unreliable 
operative  results  as  the  allied  operations  of  Doyen,  Jaboulay  and 
Winklemann. 


INTRADURAL  SECTION  OF  THE  SIXTH,  SEVENTH,  EIGHTH 

AND  FIRST  DORSAL  POSTERIOR  NERVE  ROOTS  FOR 

INTRACTABLE   BRACHIAL   NEURALGIA— FAILURE 

TO  RELIEVE  THE  PAIN— LATER  SECTION  OF 

THE    CORRESPONDING    ANTERIOR    ROOTS 

WITH  NO  RELIEF. 

H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

The  patient,  an  engineer,  43  years  old,  was  referred  to  the  service 
of  Dr.  C.  L.  Gibson  by  Dr.  W.  Bastedo,  with  a  diagnosis  of  Intractable 
Brachial  Neuralgia.  Three  months  previously  to  admission  he  was 
violently  injured  by  a  lever  striking  him  on  left  side  of  his  neck  at 
the  level  of  his  jaw.  He  was  unconscious  for  24  hours.  The  left  arm 
was  completely  paralyzed,  and  he  suffered  intense  pain  in  the  neck 
and  arm.  An  exploratory  incision  showed  that  the  roots  of  the  cervi/ 
eal  plexus  were  torn.  The  arm  was  amputated.  At  the  present  time 
he  complains  of  an  intense  neuralgic  pain  in  his  missing  hand  and 
arm. 

Physical  Examination.— Spare  man,  aged  43,  looks  haggard  and  worn. 
Heart,  lungs  and  abdomen  normal.  Left  pupil  contracted  and  undilatable. 
There  is  a  vertical  scar,  2%  inches  long,  at  the  anterior  border  of  the  left 
sterno-mastoid.  The  left  arm  has  been  disarticulated  at  the  shoulder.  The 
resultant  scar  is  freely  movable  and  the  stump  is  not  sensitive  to  pressure. 
The  bony  parts  appear  to  be  normal  except  foi  a  slight  prominence  of  the 
left  clavicle  and  upper  ribs;  there  is  slight  lateral  curvature  of  the  spine. 
As  the  arm  was  missing,  no  notes  regarding  anaesthesia  are  available.  The 
patient  was  examined  by  Dr.  Pierce  Bailey,  who  recommended  an  unilateral 
intraspinal  division  of  the  left  7th  and  8th  cervical  and  1st  dorsal  posterior 
nerve  roots.     X-ray  examination  of  spine  is  negative. 

Operation,  December  1,  1910 — Unilateral  laminectomy  with  seetion 
of  6th,  7th,  8th  cervical  and  1st  dorsal  posterior  nerve  roots,  by 
Dr.  Lyle. 

With  the  patient  in  the  ventral  position,  an  incision  414  inches 
long  was  made  in  the  cervical  region,  the  muscles  separated  and  a 

44 


SECTION  OF  NERVE  ROOTS  FOR  BRACHIAL  NEURALGIA         45 

hemisection  of  the  laminae  made,  according  to  Taylor's  method.  The 
dura  was  then  opened,  the  posterior  roots  of  the  last  three  cervical  and 
the  first  dorsal  were  identified,  hooked  up  and  cut.  The  posterior  root 
of  the  sixth  cervical  had  been  torn  away  from  the  cord.  The  dura  was 
sutured  with  a  fine  catgut  and  the  wound  closed. 

There  was  a  moderate  post-operative  reaction.  The  patient  re- 
mained free  from  pain  for  5  days,  then  he  began  to  complain  of  pain 
in  the  thumb,  hand  and  arm ;  this  pain  gradually  increased,  and  at  the 
end  of  two  months  was,  if  anything,  more  intense  than  before  the 
operation. 

As  an  explanation  of  the  failure  of  posterior  root  section  to  cure 
certain  cases,  it  has  been  stated  that  there  are  additional  sensory 
paths  in  the  anterior  roots,  and  in  such  cases,  these  possible  sensory 
paths  must  be  cut  in  order  to  obtain  a  cure.  With  this  point  in  view, 
Dr.  Taylor  decided  to  section  the  anterior  roots.  As  the  arm  was 
already  gone,  this  appeared  to  be  an  ideal  case  to  try  it  in.  Six 
months  after  the  original  operation,  Dr.  Taylor  cut  the  anterior  roots. 
This  operation  has  failed  to  relieve  the  pain. 

The  points  of  interest  in  this  case  are  the  tearing  away  from 
the  cord  of  the  posterior  root  of  the  sixth  cervical,  and  the  persistence 
of  the  intense  pain  in  the  hand  and  arm  after  a  complete  section  of 
both  the  posterior  and  anterior  nerve  roots  of  the  6th,  7th,  8th  cervi- 
cal and  1st  dorsal. 


GUMMA  OF  THE  LIVEE  AS  A  SEQUEL  TO  YAWS. 

H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

Patient,  male,  age  49  years,  native  of  West  Indies  (Grenada). 

Family  History.— Father  and  one  uncle  died  of  carcinoma  of  the  stomach. 

Past  History.— The  patient  had  had  gonorrhoea  15  years  ago,  and  yaws 
(frambesia),  39  years  ago.  No  history  of  syphilis.  Has  complained  of 
gastric  trouble  for  30  years,  at  various  times  has  been  treated  for  gastritis, 
ulcer  and  carcinoma. 

Present  History.— Patient  complains  of  a  constant  pain  in  stomach;  this 
comes  on  an  hour  after  eating,  and  persists  until  the  following  meal,  or  un- 
til relief  is  obtained  by  vomiting.  The  constant  pain  has  kept  him  awake 
at  night.  Lately  he  has  noticed  a  fulness  in  the  upper  epigastrium.  Is 
weak,  and  has  lost  40  pounds  in  weight.  The  blood  examination  is  negative; 
the  analysis  of  the  stomach  contents  shows  a  hyperacidity. 

Physical  Examination. — The  patient  is  greatly  emaciated.  No  glandular 
involvement  can  be  made  out.  There  are  several  old  scars  on  the  arms  and 
legs;  these  are  said  to  be  results  of  yaws.  In  the  midline  of  the  abdomen, 
1  inch  below  the  ensiform  cartilage,  there  is  a  smooth,  hard  mass,  which 
apparently  lies  below  the  edge  of  the  liver.  The  spleen  is  not  enlarged. 
A  preoperative  diagnosis  of  carcinoma  of  the  stomach,  starting  from  an  old 
ulcer,  was  made. 

Operation  by  Dr.  Lyle. 

A  smooth,  round  tumor,  the  size  of  a  mandarin  orange,  was  found 
on  the  anterior  surface  of  the  left  lobe  of  the  liver.  The  liver  was  en- 
larged and  congested.  The  stomach,  pancreas,  and  spleen  normal,  the 
mesenteric  glands  are  not  enlarged.  As  an  extended  search  failed  to 
reveal  any  other  lesion,  a  diagnosis  of  gumma  of  the  liver  was  made 
and  the  abdomen  closed. 

Two  Wassermann  tests  were  made,  the  first  was  negative,  the  sec- 
ond doubtful.  After  an  intravenous  injection  of  salvarsan,  a  third 
Wassermann  test  was  made,  which  was  positive.  Under  specific  treat- 
ment, the  tumor  has  disappeared  and  the  liver  has  grown  smaller. 

The  interest  in  this  case  rests  largely  on  the  possible  relationship 
between  yaws  and  syphilis.     The  patient  and  two  other  members  of 

46 


GUMMA  AS  A  SEQUEL  TO  TAWS  47 

his  family  were  isolated  in  a  hospital  given  over  to  the  treatment  of 
yaws.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  reasonable  to  assume  that 
the  diagnosis  of  yaws  was  correct. 

It  has  been  said  that  an  attack  of  yaws  gives  an  immunity  to 
syphilis.  If  this  is  the  case,  the  patient  must  have  had  syphilis  before 
yaws. 


CHRONIC  PERISIGMOIDITIS  WITH  PARTIAL  VOLVULUS. 

H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

The  patient,  male,  50  years  old,  has  for  a  considerable  time  suf- 
fered from  attacks  of  pain  and  distention  in  the  left  iliac  region. 
These  symptoms  have  been  distinctly  localized.  The  attacks  have 
been  preceded  by  severe  frontal  headaches,  and  no  relief  could  be 
obtained  until  the  distention  was  reduced  by  free  bowel  movements. 
Two  days  prior  to  his  admission  to  the  hospital,  he  had  a  severe  head- 
ache, which  compelled  him  to  give  up  his  work.  He  took  a  cathartic, 
which  set  up  violent  peristalsis,  resulting  in  10  or  12  movements  of 
the  bowels.  These  were  at  first  fecal,  but  soon  became  mucoid  and 
bloody.  Following  this,  the  patient  was  seized  with  a  violent  pain  in 
the  iliac  region,  and  he  vomited  several  times.  With  the  onset  of 
the  pain,  the  movements  of  the  bowels  ceased  abruptly.  No  gas  was 
passed. 

Physical  examination :  The  patient  presents  the  picture  of  an  acute  intes- 
tinal obstruction.  There  is  moderate  general  distention  of  the  abdomen,  with 
marked  local  distention  and  tenderness  in  the  left  iliac  region.  The  patient's 
temperature  is  100,  pulse  120.  There  is  moderate  leucocytosis,  with  no  relative 
increase  in  the  polymorphonuclears.  After  lavage  and  repeated  enemata,  the 
distention  was  greatly  reduced,  and  some  gas  passed  per  rectum.  As  the 
symptoms  were  apparently  improving,  the  operation  was  deferred,  the  patient 
meanwhile  being  kept  under  close  observation.  With  the  reduction  of  the 
distention  a  distinct  mass  was  made  out,  which  gave  the  impression  of  a  thick- 
ened intestine.  The  most  probable  diagnosis  seemed  to  be  an  obstruction  from 
a  new  growth. 

Operation  by  Dr.  Lyle. 

The  sigmoid  was  found  to  be  covered  with  broad,  veil-like  adhe- 
sions; the  lower  edge  of  this  veil  was  tough  and  fibrous,  and  it  ex- 
tended from  the  parietal  peritoneum  across  the  sigmoid.  Around 
this,  as  an  axis,  the  sigmoid  had  partially  revolved.  The  band  was 
freed,  and  the  sigmoid  straightened  out.  The  presence  of  the  veil- 
like adhesions  showed  an  attempt  on  the  part  of  Nature  to  limit 
the  greatly  dilated  and  movable  sigmoid. 

48 


PERFORATION  OP  A  SIMPLE  ULCER  OF  THE  COLON- 
OPERATION. 

H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  M.D. 

The  caput  eoli  and  the  lower  portion  of  the  ascending  colon  can 
be  looked  upon  as  the  stomach  of  the  large  intestine.  The  functions 
of  this  segment  correspond  both  embryologically  and  anatomically  to 
those  of  the  true  stomach.  With  these  facts  in  mind,  it  is  not  strange 
that  similar  pathological  conditions  may  occur  in  this  region. 

The  occurrence  of  a  simple  ulcer  of  the  colon  has  been  known  for 
a  long  time.  Cruveilhier  (1830-32),  in  speaking  of  gastric  ulcer, 
wrote,  "these  considerations  apply  perfectly  to  the  small  and  large 
intestine."  Unfortunately,  Cruveilhier 's  clinical  examples  were  not 
well  chosen.  The  discussion  aroused  by  Cruveilhier  led  to  the  re- 
porting of  a  case  by  Marchesseaux  (in  1837)  and  a  second  by  Roger 
(1838).  Lebert  (1855-61)  stated  that  simple  chronic  ulcers  are 
analogous  in  all  points  to  those  of  the  stomach;  the  latter  occurring 
the  more  frequently,  had  received  the  most  attention.  In  1897, 
Combes  reported  2  cases. 

In  all  these  observations  not  much  attention  was  paid  to  the  clin- 
ical aspect  of  the  subject  until  1902,  when  Quenu  and  Duval  published 
a  paper  entitled  "L 'Ulcere  Simple  du  Gros  Intestin."  In  this  mono- 
graph the  authors  attempted  to  rescue  the  simple  ulcer  from  the 
pathological  chaos  of  the  large  intestine.  The  paper  is  a  clinical 
study  of  the  pathogenesis,  the  symptoms,  diagnosis,  etc.,  of  this  little- 
known  affection.  It  is  based  on  personal  observations  and  a  study  of 
the  31  cases  reported  in  the  literature.  They  state  that  the  simple 
ulcer  of  the  colon  has  all  the  pathological  characteristics  which  dis- 
tinguish a  "round  ulcer"  of  the  stomach  from  other  gastric  ulcers; 
it  is  a  simple  ulcer  in  the  group  of  colon  ulcerations.  Of  the  31  re- 
ported cases,  13  occurred  in  the  caecum  and  ascending  colon;  in  20 
cases  the  ulcers  were  multiple ;  23  cases  perforated. 

The  following  case  occurred  in  the  service  of  Dr.  C.  L.  Gibson, 
and  was  operated  on  by  Dr.  Lyle,  October,  1909. 

49 


50  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Surgical  Number  79,130. — The  patient,  a  married  woman,  26  years  old, 
was  admitted  to  the  hospital  with  a  diagnosis  of  acute  gangrenous  appendici- 
tis. The  patient  has  been  a  sufferer  from  indigestion  and  chronic  constipa- 
tion for  years.  In  her  search  for  relief  she  has  made  the  rounds  of  the 
clinics.  The  obscurity  of  her  symptoms  has  led  to  the  different  diagnoses 
of  gall  stones,  kidney  stones,  ulcer  of  the  stomach,  appendicitis,  etc.  Lately 
she  has  complained  of  a  dull,  aching  pain  in  the  region  of  McBurney's  point ; 
this  pain  is  worse  after  a  full  meal  and  after  exercise.  Occasionally  she  has 
had  attacks  of  alternating  constipation  and  diarrhoea.  No  blood  has  been 
passed.  There  is  no  history  of  jaundice,  typhoid,  tuberculosis,  or  lues.  She 
has  lost  considerable  weight  and  strength. 

Two  weeks  ago  she  was  seized  with  a  sharp,  rumbling,  colicky  pain 
in  right  iliac  fossa.  There  was  considerable  tenderness  and  distention  on 
the  right  side.  The  patient  was  nauseated,  but  did  not  vomit.  The  pain  was 
accompanied  by  a  chill  and  a  severe  headache.  After  an  hour  the  pain  sub- 
sided, and  became  intermittent  in  character,  lasting  for  an  hour  or  so  and 
then  disappearing.  This  condition  persisted  for  three  days.  Just  before  ad- 
mission she  was  seized  with  violent  cramplike  pain  in  the  right  iliac  fossa ; 
she  was  nauseated,  and  vomited.  The  pain  was  accompanied  by  a  severe  chill, 
a  sense  of  weakness,  and  intense  tenderness  just  above  the  crest  of  the  ileum. 
After  an  hour  the  pain  subsided  somewhat  and  became  intermittent  in  char- 
acter. Her  bowels  are  constipated.  There  is  an  increased  frequency  of  urina- 
tion, but  no  burning. 

Surgical  condition :  Woman,  small  frame,  poorly  nourished ;  heart  and 
lungs  normal,  abdomen  slightly  distended,  no  general  rigidity,  no  cutaneous 
hyperesthesia.  In  the  right  iliac  fossa  there  is  a  tender  mass  about  the  size 
of  a  lemon.  Vaginal  and  rectal  examinations  negative.  On  admission,  patient 
had  a  subnormal  temperature,  but  just  before  going  to  the  operating  room  it 
rose  to  100,  pulse  92,  respiration  26. 

Blood  examination :     Leucocytes  25,000,  polynuclear  86,  lymphocytes  14. 
A  diagnosis  of  acute  appendicitis,  with  abscess,  was  made,  and  patient  sent 
to  the  operating  room. 

Operation  by  Dr.  Lyle,  October  23,  1909. 

The  abdomen  was  opened  by  an  intermuscular  incision  over  the 
mass ;  on  reaching  the  peritoneum  a  large  abscess  containing  fecal 
matter  was  encountered,  the  cavity  was  evacuated  and  a  search  for 
the  appendix  was  instituted.  The  appendix  was  found  without  the 
mass  and  apparently  had  nothing  to  do  with  it.  On  the  inner  wall 
of  abscess  cavity  there  was  a  moderate-sized  perforation  of  the  as- 
cending colon ;  the  immediate  edges  of  the  perforation  were  formed  of 
necrotic  mucous  membrane.  The  perforation  was  found  to  be  in  the 
center  of  an  oval,  indurated  ulcer  of  the  external  wall  of  the  ascend- 
ing colon.  The  greatest  length  of  the  ulcer  (2y2)  lay  in  the  long 
axis  of  the  gut.  There  was  marked  involvement  of  the  surrounding 
lymphatic  glands.     The  immediate  edges  of  the  ulcer  were  trimmed 


PERFORATED  SIMPLE  ULCER  OF  THE  COLON  ul 

away  and  saved  for  microscopical  examination.  The  ulcer  was  then 
closed  with  a  double  Lembert  suture  as  the  induration  precluded  the 
use  of  an  exulcerating  purse-string  suture.  Contrary  to  expectation, 
the  indurated  fibrous  tissue  offered  an  excellent  hold  for  the  suture 
material  and  made  the  closure  very  simple.  As  the  possibility  of  a 
lymphatic  infection  from  the  appendix  could  not  be  excluded,  the 
appendix  was  removed.  After  inserting  a  rubber  dam  drain,  the 
wound  was  closed.  The  patient  made  an  uninterrupted  recovery  and 
was  discharged  from  the  hospital  in  21  days.  There  was  no  fecal 
leakage  at  any  time  after  the  operation.  The  microscopical  exami- 
nation showed  an  edematous  mucous  membrane  with  ulceration,  no 
evidences  of  carcinoma  or  tuberculosis,  the  appendix  was  normal. 

The  resemblance  between  this  condition  and  that  of  a  perforating 
gastric  ulcer  was  so  striking  that  one  could  almost  have  believed  that 
one  was  dealing  with  a  typical  round  ulcer.  The  condition  in  no  way 
resembled  the  usual  ulcerative  processes  encountered  in  this  region ; 
there  were  no  diverticula  of"  fecal  concretions. 

The  patient  disappeared  from  view  until  March,  1912,  when  she 
returned  with  a  ventral  hernia  in  the  scar  of  the  former  operation. 
The  hernial  repair  was  performed  by  Dr.  Gibson;  and  at  this  oper- 
ation an  excellent  opportunity  was  offered  to  study  the  condition  of 
the  colon. 

The  second  operation  for  a  ventral  hernia  occurring  in  the  scar 
of  the  above  operation  was  performed  by  Dr.  Gibson,  in  March,  1912. 
The  colon  appeared  to  be  perfectly  normal  in  all  respects,  and  the 
only  means  of  identifying  the  site  of  the  old  ulcer  was  the  presence 
of  a  few  membranous  adhesions. 


A  SERIES  OF  CASES  OF  SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL 
INTESTINE. 

"W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D. 

The  following  cases  of  resection  of  the  intestine,  and  of  obstruction 
without  resection,  occurred  upon  the  1st  Surgical  Division  in  the 
service  of  Dr.  Abbe.  They  are  a  part  only  of  the  small  intestine 
work,  and  represent  chiefly  emergency  conditions  operated  by  the 
writer.  There  are  several  interesting  types  of  obstructive  conditions. 
The  fairly  numerous  cases  of  strangulated  hernias,  inguinal,  femoral 
and  umbilical,  have  not  been  included.  All  of  these  patients  have 
recovered,  all  have  been  seen  at  intervals  since  leaving  the  hospital 
(but  one),  and  all  remain  in  good  condition.  The  conditions  cited 
below  illustrate  a  variety  of  troubles,  and  the  operative  findings  have 
been  shown  by  schematic  drawings. 

Case  1. — M.  F.,  a  small  boy  of  12  years,  was  admitted  March  11,  1908. 
Two  and  one-half  hours  before  entrance,  while  attempting  to  climb  a  wall, 
he  pulled  down  a  large  stone,  and  falling  backward  the  rock  came  down 
upon  his  abdomen.  He  was  carried  home  and  suffered  severe  pain  from 
the  moment  of  being  struck.  He  vomited  brownish  fluid  resembling  "blood 
and  dirt"     Urination  normal  after  accident ;  no  blood  in  urine. 

On  admission  he  was  greatly  shocked,  pale  and  with  cold  extremities. 
There  were  contusions  and  abrasions  of  the  face,  but  none  of  the  abdomen, 
which  was  flat,  not  distended,  but  generally  rigid,  especially  the  upper  half. 
Maximum  point  of  tenderness  in  epigastrium  just  to  right  of  median  line. 
There  was  dulness  in  the  flanks,  which  seemed  distinctly  to  change  with 
change  of  position.  The  house  surgeon  noted  that  the  area  of  dulness 
seemed  to  have  increased  in  the  short  time  the  patient  was  in  the  ward  be- 
fore operation.  It  was  considered  a  case  of  ruptured  liver  or  intestine. 
Operation :  Straight  incision  through  right  rectus  muscle.  Abdomen  found 
to  contain  a  large  amount  of  bile  with  considerable  blood.  Liver  and  gall- 
bladder and  bile-passages  found  undamaged.  Jejunum  found  torn  com- 
pletely across  three  inches  from  duodenojejunal  junction.  Ends  of  gut 
trimmed  and  immediately  united  with  small  Murphy  button,  reinforced  with 
peritoneal  stitch.    Recovery  uneventful ;  button  passed  before  leaving  hospital. 

Case  2. — S.  McO,  a  woman  of  37  years,  was  admitted  to  the  hospital,  May 
20,  1910.  Fifteen  years  before  she  had  had  the  ovaries  removed,  and  two 
years  later  the  uterus.     Ten  years  later,  following  a  year  of  constipation 

52 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE 


53 


V 


V 


Fig.  1    (Case  1). — Rupture  of  jejunum  at  transverse  double  lines.     SecoDd 
dotted  lines  show  continuity  restored  with  button. 


54 


ST.  LUKES  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


with  periods  of  vomiting  and  difficult  micturition,  she  was  operated  upon 
again  and  adhesions  were  said  to  be  the  cause  of  the  trouble.  After  this 
operation  a  "lump"  api>eared  in  the  scar,  and  grew  for  six  months,  when  it 
was  excised.  It  recurred,  and  was  again  removed,  a  year  and  a  half  ago.  For 
the  third  time  it  has  appeared  and  gradually  increased  in  size.  Posture, 
she  declares,  has  some  effect  upon  the  size.    At  times  it  is  painful. 


Fig.  2    (Case  2). — Point  1   shows  mass  in  abdominal   scar  adherent  to  gut. 
Dotted   lines,   limit  of   resection.     Point   2,   lateral   anastomosis. 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE  05 

She  presented  a  mass  the  size  of  a  golf  ball  in  the  abdominal  wall  near 
lower  margin  of  previous  laparotomy  scar.  The  skin  was  involved  and  the 
center  had  an  ulcerated  area.  Probe  passed  down  the  center  an  inch.  No 
discharge.  The  mass  did  not  appear  to  be  tender  and  was  attached  to  the 
tissues  of  the  abdominal  wall.  Examined  vaginally,  no  added  information 
could  be  obtained. 

Operation:  Old  scar,  including  growth,  excised.  The  mass  was  found 
densely  adherent  to  a  loop  of  small  gut.  Malignancy  was  suggested  from  the 
history  of  recurrences,  and  it  was  thought  wiser  to  resect  the  adherent  por- 
tion of  gut.  Four  inches  of  gut  were  excised  and  the  ends  brought  together 
by  lateral  anastomosis  (Fig.  2). 

Microscopic  examination  of  the  tissue  showed  chronic  inflammation  only. 
There  was  no  history  of  a  fecal  fistula,  wound  suppuration,  nor  was  there  an 
old  stitch.    The  muscular  tissues  were  not  invaded. 

Case  3. — F.  F.,  a  woman  of  40  years,  was  admitted  to  the  hospital  Novem- 
ber 9.  1910.  This  patient  came  seeking  relief  for  a  large  ventral  hernia  re- 
sulting from  an  operation  performed  two  years  before  for  ovarian  tumor. 

She  presented  a  long  scar  to  the  right  side  of  the  mid-line,  broad  and 
very  thin.  Skin  and  thinned-out  scar  tissue,  to  which  the  gut  was  densely 
adherent  and  through  which  the  convolutions  were  visible  and  palpable, 
alone  formed  the  abdominal  wall  at  that  point. 

Operation:  Old  scar  excised.  Even  with  the  greatest  care  a  loop  of  the 
very  thin-walled  gut,  densely  adherent  to  the  cicatrix,  was  opened.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  adherent  intestine  was  separated  with  difficulty,  often  leaving 
a  mass  of  scar  tissue  on  the  bowel  wall.  The  opened  knuckle  of  gut  was 
excised  and  the  ends  brought  together  by  lateral  anastomosis.  Recovery 
was  uneventful ;  highest  temperature  following  operation,  100  1-5°. 

Case  4.— E.  H.,  a  woman  42  years  of  age,  entered  the  hospital  April,  1910. 
She  had  a  discharging  small  intestine  fistula  in  a  scar  in  the  mid-line  of  the 
abdomen.  In  November,  1909,  I  had  operated  in  the  country  upon  this  pa- 
tient for  intestinal  obstruction  of  the  most  urgent  sort.  She  was  then  seven 
months  pregnant  and  had  been  taken  six  days  before  with  the  acute  pain, 
vomiting  and  abdominal  cramps  of  that  condition.  When  seen,  her  condition 
was  desperate,  and  a  hasty  operation  resulted  in  freeing  a  loop  of  ileum 
from  a  band  just  below  the  pelvic  brim  on  the  right  side.  From  the  length 
of  time  the  gut  had  been  shut  off,  it  was  gangrenous  at  the  point  of  con- 
striction. Three  inches  were  excised  and  the  ends  joined  with  Murphy  but- 
ton reinforced  with  peritoneal  stitch.  During  convalescence,  two  weeks  later, 
the  wound  opened  and  discharge  from  the  small  gut  took  place.  The  button 
could  be  felt  in  the  gut  and  was  removed  by  the  attending  physician  through 
the  wound.  Several  months  later  she  came  to  the  city  for  the  closure  of 
the  intestinal  fistula.  At  this  operation  it  was  found  that  the  button  had 
passed  down  several  feet  from  the  original  site  of  resection  and  had  lodged 
in  an  angle  of  bowel  that  had  become  attached  to  the  median  incision.  It 
had  then  ulcerated  its  way  through.  The  intestine  was  freed,  again  resected 
and  the  ends  closed  by  end  to  end  suture.  This  patient  has  been  seen  re- 
cently and  is  in  perfect  health. 


56 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Case  5. — M.  D.,  a  small  girl  of  six  years,  was  admitted  December  7,  1909. 
She  bad  been  taken  sick  one  week  before  with  abdominal  pain  and  vomiting. 
From  the  onset  of  pain,  the  vomiting  had  been  frequent  and  irrespective  of 
attempts  to  take  nourishment.  Bowels  said  to  have  moved  well  day  after 
beginning  of  attack  and  two  days  before  entrance.     No  blood  or  unusual 


Fig.  3  (Case  3). — Intestine  densely  adherent  along  whole  extent  of 
abdominal  cicatrix.  Portion  of  gut  resected  with  cicatrix  and  united  by 
lateral  anastomosis. 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE 


57 


conditions  were  noted  by  the  parents.  The  abdomen  was  not  rigid,  mod- 
erately distended  and  with  general  tenderness.  Signs  of  fluid  within  the 
peritoneum.  Right  rectus  more  rigid  than  left.  Rather  more  tenderness 
over  right  lower  quadrant  and  with  greater  muscular  spasm.     A  mass  occu- 


Fig.  4  (Case  4).— Point  1,  site  of  original  obstruction.  Point  2  (should 
have  been  descending  colon),  where  button  ulcerated  through  gut  and  estab- 
lished a  fistula.  Point  3,  where  colon  was  resected  and  joined  by  end-to-end 
anastomosis  with  suture. 


58  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

pied  the  region  of  the  caput  and  extended  for  four  or  five  inches  along  the 
line  of  the  ascending  colon.     Rectal  examination  revealed  nothing. 

Operation:  Intermuscular  incision  over  caput  extended  by  opening  the 
rectus  sheath.  Condition  found  to  be  ileo-colic  intussusception  with  gangrene 
of  the  small  gut.  It  was  so  rotten  that  it  was  difficult  to  reduce.  The  mes- 
entery was  black  with  thrombosed  vessels.  Over  22  inches  of  intestine  were 
excised  and  the  small  gut  anastomosed  with  the  caput  at  the  ileo-csecal 
junction  by  button  reinforced  with  peritoneal  stitch.  Button  passed  on  7th 
day.     Convalescence  stormy  and  prolonged.     Child  now  in  excellent  health. 

Case  6.— G.  K.,  a  man,  42  years  of  age,  was  admitted  first  to  the  Medical 
Service  of  Dr.  Janeway,  Dec.  23d,  1910.  An  abdominal  condition  of  gravity  was 
certain,  but  an  exact  diagnosis  could  not  be  made.  He  had  been  taken  sick  24 
hours  before  entrance  and  several  hours  after  a  meal,  with  a  sudden  sharp  pain 
across  the  upper  abdomen.  This  pain  was  continuous  and  frequently  radi- 
ated to  the  lower  abdomen  in  a  stab-like  manner.  He  vomited  once  several 
hours  after  the  beginning  of  the  attack.  Bowels  have  not  moved  since  the 
attack,  nor  has  he  passed  flatus.  Blood  count  and  differential  count  both 
high.  Examination  revealed  only  a  moderately  distended  abdomen  with 
general  rigidity.  Tenderness  to  pressure  was  not  marked  and  seemed  some- 
what greater  over  the  upper  half.  Some  fluid  accumulation.  He  had  the 
appearance  of  suffering  and  of  one  acutely  ill.  Transferred  to  Surgical 
Division. 

Operation:  Median  incision  below  umbilicus.  Large  amount  of  blood- 
stained serum.  No  odor.  Intestine  moderately  distended  and  with  slight 
vascular  engorgement.  Twenty-two  inches  of  bowel  were  found  black  red 
from  occlusion  of  mesenteric  veins.  On  section,  the  arteries  of  the  mesentery 
bled  freely,  but  the  veins  were  thrombosed.  The  diseased  gut  and  liberal 
healthy  margins  were  removed.  Ends  joined  by  button  reinforced  with  peri- 
toneal stitch. 

This  patient  did  well,  but  failed  to  pass  the  button  before  leaving  the 
hospital.  He  returned  a  month  ago  for  another  condition,  and  the  radiograph 
showed  that  he  had  passed  it  in  the  meantime. 

Case  7.— E.  S.,  a  man  of  27  years,  was  admitted  April  11,  1911.  He  had 
been  operated  upon  five  months  before  at  the  hospital  for  an  acute  appendi- 
citis with  abscess.  He  was  drained  for  some  time  and  made  a  good  recovery. 
After  being  home  for  some  weeks,  he  began  to  have  occasional  attacks  of 
colicky  pain  associated  with  a  sluggish  condition  of  the  bowels.  The  morning 
of  his  admission  to  the  hospital,  for  the  second  time  he  bad  been  taken  with 
a  sudden  and  very  severe  pain  about  the  umbilical  region  accompanied  with 
nausea  and  vomiting.  On  entrance  his  appearance  was  typical  of  intestinal 
obstruction,  and  the  demand  for  interference  immediate. 

Operation:   The  abdomen  was  opened  in  the  median  line. 

The  adhesions  in  the  right  iliac  region  were  very  dense  and  also  on  the 
right  side  of  the  pelvis.  In  the  greatly  distended  condition  of  the  small  gut 
and  the  mass  of  adhesions,  the  particular  point  of  obstruction  could  not  be 
found.  An  enterostomy  was  done,  taking  as  low  a  point  in  the  ileum  as 
possible.     After  drainage  of  the  bowel  for  several  weeks,  his  condition  was 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE 


59 


so  greatly  improved  that  the  operation  for  relief  of  the  cause  of  the  obstruc- 
tion could  be  undertaken  with  more  leisure  and  deliberation.  The  area  of 
the  colostomy  wound  containing-  the  gut  was  excised  and  the  intestine  lightly 
clamped  off.  With  considerable  difficulty,  the  small  gut  was  freed  from  ad- 
hesions and  bands  throughout  and  traced  down  to  the  caecum  and  the  large 
gut  from  that  point  to  the  rectum.  On  account  of  the  damaged  condition  of 
the  peritoneal  coat  from  the  old  inflammatory  process,  the  anastomosis  was 
done  by   invagination   (see  Fig.  8),  after  the  method  described  last  year  by 


Fig.  5   (Case  5). — Gangrenous  intussusception.     Twenty-two  inches  of  ileum 

resected. 


60 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Dr.  Gibson  in  the  report,  rather  than  by  the  more  usual  one  of  end  to  end 
or  lateral  anastomosis.  This  man  has  been  seen  within  a  fortnight  and  is 
well. 

Case  8.— M.  H.(  a  woman  22  years  of  age,  was  admitted  January  6,  1911. 
She  had  been  operated  upon  a  year  before  for  an  appendicitis  with  abscess 


Fig.  6  (Case  6). — Mesenteric  thrombosis,  veuous  closure.    Resection  of  nearly 

two  feet  of  gut. 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE  61 

and  peritonitis  at  another  hospital.  Since  that  time  she  has  been  troubled 
greatly  with  constipation,  getting  worse.  She  has  had  severe  abdominal 
pains  accompanied  with  marked  constipation  at  fairly  frequent  intervals. 
For  a  week  before  entrance  her  bowels  had  not  moved.  Three  days  before 
admission  she  was  taken  with  unusually  severe  pain  accompanied  with  per- 
sistent vomiting.  Her  distention  was  great,  the  vomitus  foul  and  geueral 
condition  bad. 

Operation:  A  dense  mass  of  adhesions  occupied  the  pelvis  and  the  right 
lower  quadrant  of  the  abdomen.  The  exact  site  of  occlusion  could  not  be 
determined  in  the  time  allowed  for  a  safe  conclusion  of  the  operation.  As 
in  the  former  case,  an  enterostomy  was  considered  preferable  to  an  imme- 
diate anastomosis.  A  loop  of  ileum  two  feet  from  the  caput  was  brought 
into  the  median  wound,  and  as  in  the  last  case,  a  rubber  drain  tube  inserted 
proximally.  After  several  weeks  of  clearing  out  and  drainage,  an  attempt 
was  made  to  separate  adhesions  and  find  the  point  of  occlusion.  The  density 
and  extent  of  the  matting  together  of  the  bowel  made  separation  impossible, 
and  the  only  recourse  left,  to  empty  the  small  gut  into  the  large,  was  ac- 
complished by  a  direct  implantation  of  the  proximal  end  into  the  transverse 
colon,  the  nearest  available  large  gut  free  from  adhesions.  The  distal  end 
was  likewise  implanted  that  there  might  be  no  excluded  or  occluded  intes- 
tine. It  was  impossible  to  resect  this  distal  part  on  account  of  the  iron- 
clad nature  of  the  adhesions,  and  at  the  time  no  other  disposition  seemed 
possible.  This  patient  was  seen  four  months  after  her  operation  and  de- 
clared herself  well  and  comfortable.  She  had  gained  greatly  in  weight  and 
appeared  in  perfect  health. 

Case  9.— Intestinal  Obstruction  from  Enterolith:  J.  K.,  a  man  72  years 
of  age,  was  admitted  March  2,  1908.  Four  days  before  entering  the  hospital, 
he  was  attacked  with  a  dull  grinding  pain  across  the  upper  part  of  the 
abdomen.  He  took  cathartics  without  result,  nor  would  enemas  relieve  him. 
Vomiting  occurred  two  days  later,  and  on  admission  was  of  distinctly  fecu- 
lent character.  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  the  patient,  a  physician  and  an 
intelligent  man,  asserts  that  he  had  no  trouble  of  any  sort  with  his  bowels 
prior  to  this  attack.  Two  years  before  he  had  passed  a  number  of  gall- 
stones, the  size  of  distal  joint  of  index  finger,  and  which  had  facets.  Before 
their  passage  he  had  attacks  of  gall-stone  colic. 

Operation:  Incision  through  the  right  rectus  disclosed  a  collapsed  large 
gut  with  a  distended  small  gut.  On  working  back  from  the  ileo-ca?cai  junc- 
tion a  large,  smooth,  dark  mass  was  found  distending  the  lower  part  of 
the  jejunum.  It  could  not  be  moved  up  or  down.  An  incision  opposite  the 
mesentery  released  a  stone  the  size  of  a  small  hen's  egg.  There  was  no  ul- 
ceration of  the  mucosa  of  the  intestine;  there  were  no  diverticula  in  which 
the  stone  could  have  pocketed.  The  convalescence  of  this  elderly  patient  was 
uninterrupted. 


62 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Fig.  7  (Case  7).— Intestinal  obstruction  following  suppurative  appendi- 
citis. Numerous  and  deqse  adhesions.  Enterostomy  followed  later  by  freeing 
adhesions,  use  of  sterile  oil  and  anastomosis  by  invagination  (see  Fig.  8). 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE 


63 


Fig.  8. — Anastomosis  in  case  7,  by  invagination. 


64 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Fig.   9   (Case  8). — Intestinal   obstruction   following   suppurative  appendicitis. 
Dense  adhesions,  enterostomy,  later  implantation  into  colon  (see  Fig.  10). 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE 


Fig.  10   (Case  8). — Impossible  to  separate  adhesions.     Both  distal  end  and 
proximal  implanted  into  nearest  free  colon  (transverse). 


66 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Fig.  11  (Case  9).— Buterolith  impacted  in  lower  ileum.    Complete  obstruction. 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE 


G7 


Fig.  12  (Case  10). — Enterolith  impacted  in  lower  ileum.    Complete  obstruction. 


GS 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Fig.  13  (Case  11). — Acute  obstruction  caused  by  augulated  ileum  adherent  to 
caseous  mesenteric  gland. 


SURGERY  OF  THE  SMALL  INTESTINE  GO 

Case  10.— Intestinal  Obstruction  from  Enterolith:  A.  H.,  a  woman  of  60 
years,  was  admitted  to  the  hospital  April  5,  1908.  She  had  been  taken  with 
nausea  and  vomiting  five  days  prior  to  her  entrance.  The  vomiting  was 
continuous,  and  she  could  not  retain  food  or  medicine  on  her  stomach.  First 
food,  then  bile,  then  feculent  material  came  up.  Vomiting  gave  relief.  This  pa- 
tient says  that  she  has  never  been  jaundiced  and  that  her  bowels  have 
always  been  regular.  Her  general  health  has  always  been  good.  She  has 
had  no  serious  illnesses  in  the  past.  She  was  very  ill  on  entrance  with 
greatly  distended  abdomen  and  dry  tongue. 

Operation:  Median  incision.  Large  intestine  collapsed  and  small  dis- 
tended. On  working  back  from  the  caput  cob,  a  dark  mass  the  size  of  a 
pullet's  egg  was  found  distending  the  gut  about  18  inches  from  the  ileo-caeeal 
valve.  The  intestinal  wall  was  very  thin  and  distended,  but  it  was  possible 
to  push  the  stone  up  to  a  higher  level  where  the  thinning  was  not  so  marked, 
and  remove  it  through  an  enterotomy  at  that  point  where  repair  by  suture 
would  be  easier.  As  in  the  former  case,  there  was  no  ulceration  of  the 
intestinal  mucosa,  nor  were  there  diverticula  to  be  seen.  Convalescence  here 
also  was  most  happy.  Both  of  these  cases  have  been  followed,  and  they 
are  apparently  in  excellent  health  to-day. 

Case  11.— I.  T.,  a  small  boy  in  his  9th  year,  was  admitted  April  24,  1907. 
He  had  been  well  the  earlier  years  of  his  life,  but  for  some  time  before 
present  illness  had  had  occasional  abdominal  cramps.  He  was  taken  three 
days  before  admission  with  severe  cramps  in  the  abdomen  and  vomiting. 
Bowels  moved  slightly  during  the  interval  before  admission.  The  boy  ap- 
peared to  be  a  well-nourished  child.  The  abdomen  was  greatly  distended 
and  very  tender  over  the  whole  surface.    Peristalsis  could  be  easily  seen. 

Operation:  Median  Incision,  umbilicus  to  pubes.  Large  gut  collapsed. 
Small  gut  distended  and  deeply  injected.  The  cause  of  the  obstruction  wag 
found  to  be  an  adhesion  about  one-quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  extend- 
ing from  an  enlarged  old  lymphatic  gland,  near  the  foot  of  the  mesentery, 
to  the  ileum  two  inches  from  the  caput  coll.  The  obstruction  had  been 
caused  by  the  angulation  and  constriction.  The  gut  was  viable  and  its  re- 
lease was  accomplished  by  cutting  the  band.  This  patient  made  a  rapid 
recovery  and  has  been  seen  several  times  since  leaving  the  hospital. 


SIMPLIFIED  EQUIPMENT  AND  MANAGEMENT  FOR  THE 
OPERATING  ROOM.* 

W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D. 

The  natural  tendency  in  matters  relating  to  surgical  operative 
equipment  is  rather  towards  elaboration  and  addition,  as  new  facts  are 
discovered  and  newer  requirements  develop  in  the  steady,  march  of 
progress.  The  endeavor  to  have  every  added  essential  and  accessory 
immediately  to  hand  is  the  most  fruitful  source  of  complication  and 
elaboration,  requiring  a  very  constant  attention  and  study  to  elimi- 
nate and  simplify,  as  the  burden  of  paraphernalia  becomes  unneces- 
sarily irksome,  time-consuming  and  possibly  wasteful. 

In  operative  work  a  proper  economy  of  time  and  labor  should  not 
be  lost  sight  of,  especially  when  it  results  in  greater  good  to  the  pa- 
tient, greater  surety  and  ease,  and  a  greater  saving  of  materials. 
These  things  can  best  be  accomplished  by  a  safe  and  quick  method 
of  handling  gauzes,  instruments  and  solutions,  the  ready  accessibility 
of  everything  needed,  and  excellent  lighting,  making  it  possible  for 
sterile  individuals  to  conduct  the  entire  work  rapidly  and  without 
danger  of  rendering  themselves  or  the  material  unsterile  at  any 
stage. 

There  is  nearly  always  something  in  other  plants  and  equipments 
of  actual  or  suggestive  value  that  well  repays  time  spent  in  study 
and  observation,  for  comparison  with  and  often  the  elucidation  of 
problems  at  home.  From  time  to  time  additions  and  changes  in  the 
operative  equipment  at  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  New  York  City,  have 
been  made  whenever  greater  ease  and  surety  of  work  and  a  greater 
saving  of  time,  materials  and  general  labor  to  all  could  be  gained. 
These  objects  have  never  been  lost  sight  of,  and  to-day  the  equip- 
ment stands,  I  believe,  second  to  none  in  simplicity  and  working  ef- 
ficiency. The  constant  endeavor  of  those  interested  in  these  things 
has  been  towards  elimination  and  simplification  of  existing  material 
and  its  concentration,  rather  than  the  addition  of  more:  the  perfection 
of  essentials  and  rejection  of  unessentials. 


*Previoii8ly  published. 

70 


Fig.  1. — Showing  instrument  sterilizer  open.  High-pres- 
sure steam  pipes  under  the  flooring,  and  entering  the  sterilizer 
from  helow. 


SIMPLIFIED  EQUIPMENT  FOR  OPERATING  ROOM  71 

The  general  requirements,  which  have  become  recognized  through 
study,  observation  and  experience,  will  first  be  mentioned,  and  then 
spoken  of  more  in  detail. 

The  operating  room  should  be  of  fair  size  and  self-contained,  the 
necessary  equipment  being  within  the  room  itself  or  in  its  walls,  to 
the  saving  of  many  steps  and  the  unnecessary  passing  of  assistants 
and  nurses  in  and  out  during  the  progress  of  operative  work.  The 
furniture  can  be  so  reduced  and  simplified  that  nothing  but  the  oper- 
ating table,  instrument  table,  canisters  for  holding  gauzes  and  dra- 
peries and  an  electric  towel  heater  occupy  the  free  floor  space ;  hot 
and  cold  water  sterilizer  or  its  taps,  instrument  and  utensil  sterilizers 
and  the  few  solution  bottles  being  arranged  along  or  even  within  re- 
cesses in  the  walls.  Instrument  cases  are  best  built  in  the  walls  with 
glass  doors  flush  with  the  wall,  eliminating  movable  and  obstructing 
furniture  and  dust  accumulations.  If  two  operating  rooms  adjoin, 
they  can  be  accessible  from  either  side.  An  excellent  example  of  this 
was  seen  at  Sonnenburg's  Clinic  at  the  Moabit  Hospital,  Berlin. 
Special  solutions,  anesthetics,  hypodermatic  solutions,  etc.,  are  best 
arranged  similarly.  Instrument  and  utensil  sterilizers  should  be 
actuated  by  high  pressure  steam  coil  and  should  be  opened  by  foot 
pedal,  enabling  sterile  assistants  or  nurses  to  operate  them  without 
hand  contamination  or  the  necessity  of  calling  others  to  aid.  Stock 
solution  bottles  (saline,  alcohol  and  sublimate),  and  the  hot  and  cold 
sterile  water  taps  should  be  also  arranged  for  foot  release.  It  is 
possible  by  such  means  to  cut  down  the  personnel  of  the  operating 
staff,  and  especially  to  avoid  the  intermediary  handling  and  exposure 
of  gauzes,  drapery  and  instruments  in  transit  from  the  sterilizer  to 
the  operating  table. 

Natural  lighting,  as  long  recognized,  should  be  from  one  side  of 
the  room  as  well  as  from  above.  Artificial  lighting  is  best  accom- 
plished by  means  of  the  newer  indoor  enclosed  electric  arc,  both  for 
general  illumination  and  for  direct  lighting  above  the  table. 

A  means  that  will  provide  perfect  protection  for  gauzes  and 
drapery  and  yet  allow  of  instant  accessibility  was  found  in  Europe 
and  brought  to  a  high  state  of  perfection  by  von  Biselsburg,  of  Vienna, 
in  the  canister  container  system.  Gauzes  are  sterilized  in  closed  metal 
canisters  and  their  air  ports  closed.  They  are  then  ready  at  any  time 
to  be  brought  in  and  placed  on  the  stands  where  the  cover  in  a  few 
seconds  is  connected  with  the  cover-elevating  device  worked  by  foot 
lever.    They  are  always  handy,  their  contents  are  instantly  accessible 


72  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

and  entirely  protected  and  they  can  be  renewed  on  their  stands,  when 
empty,  in  a  few  seconds  as  cartridges  in  a  gun.  Experience  has  shown 
to  date  no  quicker  and  safer  way  of  handling  gauzes,  towels  and 
drapery.  Gauzes  may  be  taken  out  in  small  amounts  at  a  time  in 
anticipation  of  their  need,  by  a  nurse  or  assistant,  and  with  the 
gloved  sterile  hand  or  forceps.  These  containers  were  introduced  in 
St.  Luke's  Hospital  in  1905  by  Dr.  H.  H.  M.  Lyle,  have  amply  proven 
their  worth  and  are  used  upon  both  surgical  divisions. 

The  instrument  sterilizer,  in  addition  to  being  placed  in  the  oper- 
ating room,  should  not  be  too  far  from  the  instrument  passer's  table. 
It  should  be  a  semi-automatic  affair,  opening  by  foot  lever  and  clos- 
ing noiselessly  when  the  pressure  of  the  foot  is  released.  A  high  pres- 
sure steam  coil  in  the  bottom  will  boil  water  more  quickly  than  will 
gas.  The  instruments  should  be  placed  in  and  sterilized  in  trays, 
and  passed  from  them  to  the  operating  table.  The  present  instrument 
was  worked  out  by  the  author  while  abroad,  and  later  made  in  this 
country  by  one  of  the  large  manufacturing  firms.  This  apparatus  has 
been  placed  in  the  amphitheater  of  the  hospital  and  has  worked  with 
efficiency  for  over  three  years.  It  is  heated  by  steam  coil  from  the  high 
pressure  service  of  the  operating  and  sterilizing  rooms,  and  will  boil 
warm  water  in  3  minutes.  It  is  placed  upon  the  instrument  passer's 
side  and  but  8  feet  from  his  table,  so  that  he  is  enabled,  unassisted, 
to  boil  instruments  between  and  during  operations,  without  crossing 
the  path  of  any  one,  quickly  and  without  contamination  of  hands  or 
instruments.  This  sterilizer  is  placed  against  the  wall  and  does 
not  occupy  the  free  floor  space.  The  steam  is  under  complete  control 
and  the  inlet  valve  can  be  turned  by  foot. 

The  instruments  are  placed  in  shallow  copper  trays  that  fit  the 
sterilizer  and  are  put  in  one  over  the  other.  A  slightly  inturned 
edge  prevents  telescoping  and  perforated  bottoms  allow  the  water  to 
drain  off  on  lifting  them  out. 

Through  forethought  in  construction  the  amphitheater  was  pro- 
vided with  hot  and  cold  sterile  running  water,  the  tanks  being  be- 
hind the  scenes,  out  of  the  way,  and  the  taps  leading  through  the 
partition  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  operating  table.  A  utensil 
sterilizer  also  actuated  by  high  pressure  steam  and  operated  by  foot 
pedal,  has  been  added  and  placed  to  the  rear,  where  it  is  accessible 
and  allows  the  few  basins  and  irrigators  used  to  be  boiled  between  or 
during  operations  as  necessary. 

The  operating  table  is  simple  and  provides  the  different  positions 


Fig.  4. — Copper  canisters  t'<»r  gauzes  and  draperies.    Canister  stand  with  mov- 
able  balance    weight    for    cover. 


Difriia"aiiMi,fi'y 


■Sllll 

liiiMi 

-.  T  ;.-  gg  g._  -r5     k,  -     }  £  ■  ■  81  ■  ■  ■  M 

wsvKssav 
«  a!  m  m  m  m  m  mm 

Fig.  5. — Instrument  trays.     The  larger  ones  have  perforated  bottoms,  and  the 

smaller,  for  finer  instruments,  are  perforated  at  the  edges. 


mmmmmmmui 
•■■mill 
■iiiiaiii 

■■■••■laiBi  wng 

■■lUtii! 


Fig.  G. — A  battery  of   canister    containers,  with  towel   heater  and  instrument 

table. 


SIMPLIFIED  EQUIPMENT  FOR  OPERATING  ROOM  TS 

quickly.  The  instrument  table  is  a  simple  glass  or  metal  top  affair 
with  one  shelf  below  and  with  a  basin  bracket  on  one  leg.  A  table  40 
x  20  inches  and  4  feet  in  height  is  sufficiently  large  for  general  work. 
These  two  articles  of  furniture  need  no  elaboration  beyond  the  pos- 
sible addition  of  a  removable  stout  wire  bracket  attached  to  one  leg 
to  hold  a  basin  of  saline  solution. 

All  solutions  except  the  10  per  cent  saline,  70  per  cent  alcohol  and 
1-8  bichlorid  of  mercury,  have  been  banished  from  the  operating 
room,  and  these  are  contained  in  large  stock  bottles  whose  outpour  is 
regulated  by  foot  pedal  release,  and  which  are  placed  against  the 
wall  upon  the  nurse's  side,  about  8  feet  from  the  operating  table  and 
instantly  accessible.  The  proper  amount  of  saline  solution  is  run 
into  the  small  basin  or  irrigator  and  sterile  water  of  the  desired  tem- 
perature is  added  from  the  wall  taps.  Saline  or  other  solutions  can 
be  made  up  in  this  way  and  reach  the  operating  table  in  10  seconds 
without  hand  soiling.  Irrigating  stands  and  large  irrigators  are  not 
used;  a  4-quart  enameled  metal  container  with  4  feet  of  tubing  an- 
swers all  purposes,  can  be  easily  sterilized  and  is  held  by  hand  when 
needed. 

For  artificial  illumination  the  superiority  of  the  electric  arc  over 
the  incandescent  bulb,  both  for  general  and  direct  light,  I  believe 
is  fully  apparent  when  once  tried.  It  gives  infinitely  more  and  better 
quality  of  light.  Some  of  the  better  equipped  European  clinics  have 
adopted  the  system  with  excellent  results.  Abroad  the  lights  are 
sometimes  arranged  with  upward  reflection,  which  is  the  best  plan 
for  general  illumination  where  the  walls  do  not  exceed  12  feet  in 
height.  In  the  amphitheater  at  the  hospital,  where  greater  height  had 
to  be  dealt  with,  it  was  necessary  to  find  a  lamp  of  suitable  down- 
ward reflection  and  diffusion.  Such  a  lamp  it  was  my  fortune  to  find 
in  the  newer  indoor  enclosed  arc  with  small  opalescent  globe  and 
thin  white  porcelain  reflector  and  diffuser  above.  This  lamp  is  seen 
in  Figure  7,  where  two  of  these  for  general  illumination  take  the  places 
of  batteries  of  incandescent  globes.  After  some  experimentation  with 
the  lights  and  shadows  of  the  arc  lamp,  I  devised  the  apparatus  shown 
herewith  for  2  lights,  with  common  reflector  arranged  4^  feet  be- 
tween carbons,  that  will  illuminate  the  whole  table  at  once  in  addition 
to  the  field  of  operation. 

The  small  opalescent  globe  softens  and  diffuses  the  1,200  or  more 
candle-power  and  with  the  superior  regulating  device  of  this  lamp 
upon  a  good  circuit  and  with  soft  core  carbons  it  is  almost  absolutely 


74  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

without  flicker.  These  arc  lights  are  arranged  as  in  incandescent 
lighting,  and  use  the  same  current  (taking  the  110  or  220  volt  direct 
or  alternating,  and  from  3.5  to  5.5  amperes,  according  to  require- 
ment). They  are  best  arranged  upon  different  circuits  to  avoid  the 
possible  chance  of  simultaneous  extinguishment  should  anything  hap- 
pen to  one  circuit. 

For  miniature  lamps,  head  lights,  cystoscopes,  motors,  etc.,  several 
ordinary  wall  taps  have  been  placed  within  a  few  feet  of  the  operating 
table  and  electrical  connection  can  be  instantly  made  by  the  ordinary 
push  plug. 

More  and  more  it  is  found  that  elaborate  equipment  for  general 
operative  work,  whether  of  elaborate  tables  or  special  instrument 
stands,  is  not  required.  In  addition  to  the  solution  bottles  upon  the 
nurse's  side,  there  is  only  a  small  glass  wall-shelf  for  the  few  sterile 
basins  and  the  irrigator. 

Upon  the  First  Division  the  patients  are  fully  prepared  in  the 
ward  and  are  given  only  a  light  alcohol  (70  per  cent)  rub  on  the 
table  as  a  final  preparation  after  removal  of  the  light  sterile  protec- 
tive dressing.  Elaborate  and  excessive  drapery  has  been  abolished 
and  a  maximum  of  2  sheets,  over  rubbers,  and  4  towels  answer  for 
the  majority  of  cases. 

In  preparing  such  a  room  for  work  but  one  unsterile  person  is 
necessary  to  bring  in  the  3  canisters  and  towel  heater,  place  them  on 
the  stands  and  connect  the  covers  with  the  elevating  device.  The 
instrument  passer,  before  washing  up,  places  the  instruments  in  the 
trays  and  puts  them  in  the  sterilizer.  One  nurse,  before  washing  up, 
places  the  few  basins  and  the  irrigator  in  the  utensil  sterilizer.  The 
operator,  assistants  and  other  nurses  are  in  the  meantime  washing 
up  and  dressing,  and  the  patient  is  being  anesthetized.  Hot  and  cold 
sterile  water  and  the  few  solutions  are  always  ready.  The  instrument 
passer,  after  washing  up,  covers  the  top  and  shelf  of  the  instrument 
table  with  a  few  sterile  towels  from  a  canister,  and  removes  his  trays 
and  instruments  from  boiler  to  the  table.  A  nurse,  upon  the  nurse's 
side,  after  washing  up,  covers  the  nurse's  shelf  with  towels  and  the 
small  solution  basins  and  irrigator  are  placed  thereon.  The  unsterile 
orderly  or  assistant  places  the  suture  and  ligature  containers  on  the 
lower  shelf  of  the  instrument  table  and  the  instrument  passer  takes 
his  suture  and  ligature  material,  catgut,  silk  on  spools  and  any  other 
material  needed  for  one  or  two  cases  and  places  it  in  the  folds  of  a 
sterile  towel  or  two.    Any  suture  or  ligature  material  left  over,  even 


Fig.  7. — Type  of  stand  for  stock  solution  bottles,  having  foot 
release. 


Fig.  8. — Two  lamps  with  common  reflector,  4  feet  6  inches  between 
carbons.  Apparatus  over  operating  table.  Almost  complete  elimination  of 
shadows    is   produced. 


SIMPLIFIED  EQUIPMENT  FOR  OPERATING  ROOM  75 

if  contaminated,  including  the  iodine  catgut,  can  be  easily  and  quickly 
resterilized  for  subsequent  days.  Anything  needed,  not  anticipated 
in  advance,  is  immediately  accessible. 

A  perfect  division  of  labor  with  simplification  of  apparatus  allows 
quicker  handling  of  cases  as  well  as  celerity  and  ease  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  room,  and  a  diminished  number  of  helpers,  if  preferred. 
All  sterilized  and  necessary  materials  are  accessible  to  sterile  hands 
and  but  one  unsterile  assistant  is  required  to  handle  unsterile  material, 
to  clean  up  between  cases  and  do  the  heavier  work.  Dry  sterile  rub- 
ber gloves  are  worn  by  all  and  are  always  accessible  near  the  instru- 
ment sterilizer  in  a  container  opening  by  foot  pedal. 

Such  are  the  main  features  and  outline  of  the  scheme  it  has  been 
the  endeavor  to  instal  and  perfect  at  St.  Luke's. 

The  system  works  out  to  include  in  its  personnel  the  undergraduate 
nurses  of  the  hospital,  so  necessary  in  the  American  plan  of  educating 
and  preparing  them  for  future  surgical  usefulness  in  their  private 
and  institutional  work  and  in  rounding  out  their  education.  Slight 
modification  of  duties  of  the  different  members  of  the  operating  staff 
are  therefore  undertaken  from  time  to  time. 

The  suggestions  for  some  of  the  equipment  were  gathered  at  a 
number  of  the  clinics  of  the  world,  some  of  the  most  valuable  from 
the  rooms  of  Eiselsburg,  of  Vienna ;  Kocher,  of  Bern ;  Sonnenburg,  of 
Berlin.  Thought  and  experience  have  added  from  time  to  time  new 
features  to  a  constant  betterment,  and  through  the  liberal  and  pro- 
gressive spirit  of  the  Board  of  Managers  and  Superintendent  these 
changes  have  been  quickly  consummated. 

Because  many  have  been  interested  in  this  equipment,  and  have 
adopted  these  ideas,  and  because  of  the  inquiries  received,  it  has 
seemed  of  sufficient  general  interest  and  importance  to  merit  this  brief 
article  which,  leaving  the  description  of  mechanical  details  to  photo- 
graphs, is  meant  to  be  suggestive  rather  than  complete  and  exhaustive. 

The  canisters  were  made  by  one  of  the  larger  instrument  firms 
and  have  already  been  adopted  in  several  hospitals,  and  recently  for 
naval  use.  The  instrument  sterilizer  was  made  by  another  of  the 
larger  firms  and  is  now  manufactured  in  various  forms  as  regular 
equipment. 


EXTRUSION  OF  MEDULLARY  BONE  SPLINT. 
W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D. 

J.  S..  a  man  of  45  years  of  age,  was  admitted  to  the  1st  Surgical  Di- 
vision May  27,  1911. 

Three  years  before  he  had  suffered  a  compound  fracture  of  the  left  fe- 
mur in  the  middle  third.  He  was  taken  to  a  hospital,  where  an  operation 
was  finally  done,  and  after  7  months,  he  left  with  the  wound  completely 
healed.  Four  months  before  he  entered  St  Luke's,  he  noticed  a  swelling 
on  the  anterior  aspect  of  the  left  thigh.  This  broke  down,  opened,  and  left 
a  small,  discharging  wound.  He  suffered  from  the  suppurating  process  and 
had  temperature  and  malaise.  Two  weeks  before  coming  to  the  hospital, 
another  swelling  appeared  on  the  outer  side  of  the  leg  in  the  old  scar.  This 
was  incised  by  his  physician.  Both  sinuses  led  to  bare  bone  at  the  same 
point  on  the  shaft.    The  left  leg  showed  3  inches  shortening. 

Operation.— Incision  through  old  scar  on  the  outer  side  of  leg  down  to 
the  bone  showed  a  hard  white  object  projecting  from  the  shaft  (see  Fig.  1). 
It  was  thought  to  be  a  sequestrum,  at  first  sight.  A  better  view  showed  that 
it  was  a  bone  tube,  and  by  cutting  about  the  shaft  and  rotating  the  tube,  it 
could  be  withdrawn. 

The  splint  had  not  been  absorbed,  and  had  even  preserved  its  surface 
polish.  It  had  finally  acted  as  a  foreign  body  and  had  been  partly  expelled. 
It  is  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  operative  treatment  of  fractures. 


76 


Fig.  1. — Bone  splint  working 
toward  surface.  Sinus,  discharg- 
ing pus,  leads  to  site. 


TWO  CASES  OF  STONE  IN  THE  URETER. 

W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D. 

Among  the  eases  of  kidney  and  ureter  troubles  the  past  year,  upon 
the  1st  Surgical  Division,  there  have  been  two  of  special  interest; 
one,  because  of  the  great  severity  of  the  subjective  symptoms  with 
the  minimum  amount  of  damage,  and  the  other  because  of  the  almost 
total  absence  of  subjective  symptoms  with  great  and  extensive  dam- 
age to  the  kidney  and  ureter. 

Case  I.— J.  O.  B.,  male.  Admitted  June  21.  Discharged  July  23  last. 
A  year  prior  to  entrance  he  was  taken  with  an  exceedingly  severe  pain  in 
the  left  flank.  This  pain  extended  down  the  left  side  into  the  testicle  and 
down  the  left  thigh,  and  was  characteristic  in  its  sharp  and  cutting  char- 
acter. This  condition  was  intermittent,  hut  he  was  never  free  enough  from 
it  to  return  to  work  for  over  2  months.  There  have  been  recurring  attacks 
up  to  the  present  time.  On  entrance,  he  had  been  having  pain  more  or  less 
continuously  for  2  weeks.  He  is  said  to  have  passed  blood  in  the  urine  from 
time  to  time.  He  was  a  well-built  and  nourished  young  man,  with  slight 
rigidity  on  the  left  side  of  the  abdomen  and  left  flank  without  great  tender- 
ness. 

Cystoscopy  and  catherization  of  the  ureters,  as  well  as  a  radiograph, 
demonstrated  a  calculus  in  the  lower  part  of  the  left  ureter  3%  to  4  inches 
from  the  bladder.  Little  or  no  urine  from  affected  side.  Examination  for 
blood  on  entrance,  neg. 

Operation  (Dr.  Schley).— Transperitoneal  ureterotomy.  Abdomen  opened 
with  6-inch  incision  through  the  left  rectus.  Stone  could  be  felt  in  the  ureter. 
Field  of  operation  padded  off  and  the  peritoneum  incised,  when  ureter  could 
be  drawn  up  and  opened  (See  Figs.  1  and  2).  Stone  removed  and  small 
bougie  passed  to  bladder  and  pelvis  of  kidney.  Ureter  closed  with  fine  in- 
terrupted silk  stitches.  Peritoneum  over  ureter  closed,  leaving  a  very  fine 
cigarette  drain  just  through.  Abdominal  wound  closed  in  usual  way  by 
layer  suture. 

The  convalescence  in  this  case  was  absolutely  uneventful  and  rapid. 

Case  II.— M.  Z.,  female.  Admitted  April  4,  1911.  Discharged  May  10,  1911. 
For  tbe  last  2  years  the  patient  has  had  a  dragging  sensation  in  the  right  side 
of  the  abdomen,  but  hardly  amounting  to  pain.  It  has  never  been  sufficiently 
bad  to  prevent  her  following  her  occupation  as  cook.  There  is  no  history 
whatever  suggestive  of  attacks  of  renal  colic  and  none  positive  of  renal 
derangement. 

78 


Fig.    1. — Peritoneum    opened.     Ureter,    containing  calculus,   drawn   out. 


FiS-  2.— Peritoneum  and  ureter  opened.     Calculus  tightly  wedged  in  place. 


STONE  IN  THE  URETER 


Fig-   3. — Large   hydronephrotic  kidney   mass.      Somewhat   lower,    and   more 
across  median  line  than  shown. 


80  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  RBPORT9 

She  was  a  fairly  well-nourished  female  of  good  color  to  skin  and  mucous 
membranes.  There  was  no  rigidity  of  the  abdominal  muscles,  and  but  slight 
tenderness  over  the  right  side  of  abdomen.  There  was  a  large,  tense, 
elastic  mass  extending  from  the  free  border  of  the  ribs  to  the  pelvic  brim 
and  across  the  median  line  (See  Fig.  3).  This  mass  was  dull  on  percussion, 
slightly  movable,  and  not  of  especial  tenderness  on  deep  palpation.  It  pro- 
duced a  very  appreciable  distention  of  the  abdomen.  Vaginal  examination 
gave  the  sense  of  an  indefinite  mass  high  up  on  the  right  side.  Colonic 
inflation  and  the  position  of  the  mass  left  no  doubt  of  the  condition  as  a 
kidney  tumor.  This  patient's  condition  before  entrance  was  diagnosed  as 
ovarian  cyst  and  her  reason  for  consulting  a  physician  was  as  much  because 
of  her  increase  in  girth  as  because  of  the  discomfort  in  the  side. 

Operation  (Dr.  Schley).— Incision  through  outer  border  of  the  right  rectus. 
Large,  dark,  elastic  mass  with  colon  running  over  upper  part.  Extended 
from  behind  lower  ribs  to  pelvis.  The  ureter  was  greatly  dilated,  to  quite 
an  inch  in  diameter  through  greater  part  of  its  course.  Condition  plainly 
one  of  hydronephrosis.  Passing  a  bougie  through  opening  in  the  ureter 
demonstrated  a  stone  about  2%  inches  from  the  bladder,  but  so  rough  and 
embedded  in  the  greatly  thickened  ureter  that  it  could  not  be  dislodged,  and 
a  2-stage  operation  was  considered  wiser  and  safer.  The  kidney,  of  which 
but  a  mere  shell  of  tissue  remained,  was  removed  and  the  ureter  excised 
to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  stone.  This  patient  made  so  perfect  a  con- 
valescence and  felt  so  well  that  she  preferred  to  retain  the  calculus,  and 
operation  for  its  removal  was  not  insisted  upon.  She  has  been  followed,  and 
remains  in  good  health.  Microscopic  examination  of  a  small  remnant  of 
cortical  tissue  near  the  fundus  showed  swollen  glomeruli  and  marked  paren- 
chymatous degeneration  of  the  convoluted  tubules.  Radiograph  showed  the 
calculus  near  the  bladder  (Fig.  4).  Two  photographs  show  the  conditioa  of 
the  kidney  (Figs.  5  and  6). 


Fig.  4. — Stone  in  lower  part  of  right  ureter. 


Fig.  5. — Reduced  picture  of  kidney  exterior.  Specimen 
was  put  in  strong  formalin,  without  previous  distention,  and 
great  shrinkage  resulted. 


**^ 


r 


Fig.  6. — Thin  shell  of  cortex  at  upper  pole  can  be  seen.     Typical 
hydronephrosis  of  extreme  degree. 


TUBERCULOUS  PERITONITIS  SIMULATING  RECURRING 
ATTACKS  OF  APPENDICITIS. 

W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D. 

H.  Le  V.,  a  young  man  of  19  years,  was  admitted  to  the  hospital  De- 
cember 27,  1911.  His  chief  complaint  was  pain  in  the  right  lower  quadrant 
of  the  abdomen. 

Family  History.— Both  parents  alive  and  well. 

Two  years  ago  he  had  some  cough  and  expectoration  and  was  told  that 
he  had  trouble  at  the  left  apex.  He  left  work,  lived  in  the  country,  and 
apparently  recovered.  About  8  months  ago  he  began  to  be  troubled  with 
stomach  disturbances,  gas  and  gurgling,  but  did  not  lose  weight.  Three 
months  before  coming  to  the  hospital,  and  while  working,  he  was  taken  with 
a  severe  epigastric  pain,  but  managed  to  finish  his  work,  and  the  pain  had 
gone  by  night.  There  was  no  nausea  with  the  attack.  Six  weeks  later 
had  a  similar  seizure,  the  pain  lasting  some  8  hours  and  extending  from 
epigastrium  to  right  lower  quadrant.  He  felt  uneasy  and  tired  before  the 
pain  began.  Two  weeks  before  entrance  he  had  his  last  attack,  with  pain 
chiefly  of  the  right  lower  quadrant.  There  was  nausea  and  vomiting  and 
the  duration  12  hours.  He  had  been  constipated  prior  to  the  attack.  He 
was  seen  by  a  physician  at  this  time,  and  the  diagnosis  of  appendicitis 
made.  He  has  had  some  soreness  in  the  right  lower  quadrant  since  his 
first  attack,  and  said  that  he  had  occasional  twinges  of  pain  in  the  right  side. 

His  general  appearance  was  that  of  a  well-nourished,  well-muscled  and 
healthy-looking  young  man.  In  the  chest  a  few  suberepitant  rales  could  be 
heard  at  the  right  apex  behind.  Thorax  expanded  well  and  equally  on  both 
sides,  resonance  good.  Heart  somewhat  irregular,  56  per  minute  on  exami- 
nation. Sounds  clear  and  strong.  Slight  blowing  systolic  murmur  heard 
all  over  chest,  and  loudest  at  apex.  There  was  no  rigidity  to  the  abdomen 
or  mass  felt.  Slight  tenderness  existed  in  a  small  area  just  to  right  and 
below  umbilicus.  Superficial  glands  were  not  appreciably  enlarged,  with  the 
possible  exception  of  the  right  epitrochlear.  His  temperature  on  admission 
was  973a,  and  on  discharge  98.  Beyond  a  slight  reaction  to  1004/5  following 
operation,  he  -had  no  temperature  at  all.  His  pulse  ran  a  fairly  regular  rate, 
averaging  in  the  seventies. 

Operation.— Intermuscular  appendix  incision.  Scattered  over  the  peri- 
toneal surfaces  were  numerous  discrete  pearly  nodules  varying  in  size  from 
a  pin  point  to  a  pin  head.  They  were  more  numerous  in  the  mesentery  of 
the  appendix  than  elsewhere,  and  became  much  more  scattered  as  one  left 
that  region.     All  the  loops  of  ileum  drawn  down  into  the  wound  showed 

81 


8*2  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

tubercles.  They  were  more  numerous  upou  the  visceral  than  upon  the 
parietal  peritoneum.  No  adhesions  could  be  demonstrated.  The  serous 
surfaces  were  moist,  but  there  was  no  fluid.  The  appendix  lay  below  caput, 
towards  pelvic  brim.  It  was  but  moderately  congested,  and  had  but  a  mod- 
erate number  of  tubercles  on  the  surface,  (See  Fig.  1.)  The  presence  of  so 
many  in  the  mesentery  was  thought  to  possibly  indicate  ulceration  of  the 
mucosa,  and  it  was  removed.  It  lay  free  and  there  were  no  adhesions.  Grossly, 
the  appendix  showed  only  moderate  thickening  of  its  coats.  The  internal  cali- 
ber was  even  throughout,  and  there  were  no  constrictions.  It  was  empty.  Sev- 
eral hemorrhagic  spots  in  the  mucosa,  without  apparent  ulceration,  appeared. 
They  were  on  the  side  of  the  mesenteric  attachment.  The  pathological  re- 
port shows:  Chronic  appendicitis.  Tuberculous  peri-appendicitis  invading 
the  meso-appendir. 


Fig.    1. — Tuberculous    periappendicitis.      Numerous    tubercles    in    peritoneal, 
investment  of  appendix   and  in   its   mesentery. 


THE  GATCH  BED  IN  SURGICAL  WORK. 

W.  Scott  Schley,  M.D. 

For  nearly  a  year,  in  the  male  surgical  ward  of  the  1st  Division, 
we  have  been  trying  a  bed  that  has  proved  a  great  success.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  spring  bed,  it  is  intended  to  provide  for  an  easy, 
comfortable  and  secure  sitting  or  semi-recumbent  position.  It  has 
served  especially  well  in  those  abdominal  cases  for  which  elevated 
posture  is  necessary  to  facilitate  drainage,  prevent  dissemination  of 
exudates,  or  for  other  reasons.     Its  great  advantage  over  the  back- 


Fig.  1. — Gatch  bed  in  profile.     Ratchet  ou  frame  provides  for  a  variety  of 
angles  of  elevation,  both  for   back  aud  legs. 


rests  of  various  forms  lies  not  only  in  the  fact  of  the  inclined  planes 
being  integral  with  the  bed  itself,  but  in  its  taking  care  of  the  lower 
extremity  as  well.  This  bed  was  devised  by  Dr.  Gatch,  of  the  Johns 
Hopkins  Hospital,  and  the  first  one  was  made  up  in  that  institution 
about  2  years  ago.  The  adjustable  spring  is  now  made  up  to  fit  any 
single  bed,  and  its  usefulness  is  thereby  greatly  extended,  as  it  can  be 

83 


84 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


adapted  to  beds  in  a  ward  without  changing  their  uniformity.  The 
uprights  of  the  regular  bed  have  also  recently  been  fitted  with  sockets 
for  securing  two  levels  for  the  mattress;  a  high  surgical  bed  or  a 
lower  convalescent  bed.  The  ordinary  ward  mattress  takes  the  angles 
made  by  the  elevation  of  the  spring  planes,  and  a  comfortable  curve 
is  the  result  that  can  be  borne  for  long  periods.    (Figs.  1  and  2.) 


Fig.  2. — Gatch  bed,  with  dimensions  in  inches. 


SUBPHRENIC  ABSCESS  COMPLICATING  APPENDICITIS.* 
John  Douglas,  M.D. 

Subphrenic  abscess  occurs  as  a  complication  of  acute  appendicitis 
in  between  .5  and  1  per  cent  of  the  cases,  according  to  Ross  (Journal 
A.  M.  A.,  August  12,  1911),  who  has  analyzed  the  reports  of  a  large 
number  of  statistics  by  Treves,  Kelly  and  Hurdon,  by  Lance,  and 
also  3,891  cases  of  acute  appendicitis  occurring  in  the  German  Hos- 
pital and  Mary  J.  Drexel  Home,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  In  the  31  cases 
reported  by  him,  there  were  22  deaths.  Of  the  31  cases,  from  brief 
history  reports,  it  would  appear  that  in  15  the  abscess  was  situated 
below  the  liver.  In  the  remaining  16,  where  the  pus  was  between  the 
liver  and  the  diaphragm,  or  above  the  lower  surface  of  the  liver,  there 
were  only  4  recoveries. 

The  following  two  quotations  from  Ross'  article  prompt  the  report 
of  this  case  with  the  X-ray  photograph,  illustrating  its  value  as  a  means 
of  diagnosis :  "  It  is  to  my  mind  a  refinement  of  diagnosis  at  present 
impracticable  of  accomplishment  for  any  one  to  determine  definitely 
the  variety  of  subphrenic  abscess  before  operation.  As  will  be  seen 
later,  we  are  fortunate,  indeed,  always  to  diagnose  even  the  existence 
of  a  subphrenic  abscess."  Later  on,  he  states:  "Only  the  most  care- 
ful study  of  individual  cases  will  give  even  an  approach  to  correct 
diagnosis. ' ' 

Grace  S.,  aged  13.  Seen  in  consultation,  July  31,  1911.  Her  illness  began 
11  days  before,  witb  an  attack  of  severe  vomiting,  which  lasted  iy2  days,  when 
she  began  to  have  severe  pain  in  the  right  side  of  the  abdomen.  The  pain 
was  severe,  and  aching  in  character,  continuous,  not  localized,  and  radiated 
to  the  back  and  right  shoulder.  It  was  increased  by  respiration.  The  pain 
had  been  gradually  decreasing,  and  was  now  most  marked  over  the  lower 
right  chest,  in  the  axillary  line.  She  had  fever  (103°  to  104°  F.)  every  eve- 
ning, but  no  chills.  Has  had  some  cough,  but  no  expectoration.  Was  slightly 
jaundiced  for  three  or  four  days,  but  jaundice  had  disappeared  when  she 
was  seen  by  the  writer.     The  bowels  had  moved  every  day. 


♦Reprinted  from  "Surgery,  Gynecology  and  Obstetrics." 

85 


86  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Physical  examination  of  the  chest  showed  slightly  diminished  expansion 
and  breath  sounds,  slight  dulness,  and  a  few  large,  moist  rales  over  the  right 
base. 

There  was  no  general  abdominal  rigidity  or  tenderness,  but  over  the  upper 
right  quadrant  of  the  abdomen  rigidity  and  tenderness  were  marked.  A  mass, 
apparently  the  lower  border  of  the  liver,  could  be  felt  2  inches  below  the 
costal  arch.  This  area,  and  just  below  it,  were  very  tender.  Percussion  in 
the  right  mammary  line  was  flat  from  the  fifth  intercostal  space  down  to  the 
edge  of  the  mass.  There  was  some  tenderness  in  the  right  costo-vertebral 
angle.  The  temperature  was  103°  F.,  pulse  140,  respiration  30.  The  leucocyte 
count  was  25,000,  with  S8  per  cent  of  polynuclear  cells. 

A  diagnosis  of  high  appendicular  abscess  was  made,  and  she  was  referred 
to  St.  Luke's  Hospital  for  operation. 

Operation. — An  incision  3%  inches  long  was  made  along  the  border  of  the 
right  rectus  muscle,  with  its  lower  end  about  on  a  level  with  the  umbilicus. 
The  appendix  was  found  with  its  outer  extremity  almost  sloughed  away, 
behind  a  high,  undescended  caecum,  just  underneath  the  liver.  There  was  a 
small  amount  of  pus,  with  the  characteristic  odor  of  colon  infection,  well 
walled  off  from  the  rest  of  the  peritoneal  cavity  by  adhesions  and  the  omen- 
tum, and  limited  above  by  the  under  surface  of  the  liver.  The  appendix  was 
removed.  The  liver  had  been  apparently  displaced  downward,  and  examina- 
tion demonstrated  adhesions  between  the  diaphragm  and  the  upper  surface 
of  the  right  lobe.  On  separating  these  adhesions  a  considerable  quantity 
of  bloody  pus,  smelling  of  colon  infection,  was  discharged.  A  thick  rubber 
dam  drain  was  passed  up  a  distance  of  12  cm.  between  the  liver  and  dia- 
phragm, and  a  counter  drainage  opening  made  in  the  loin.  The  final  incision 
was  partly  closed,  and  drained  with  a  rubber  dam  drain. 

For  a  week  following  the  operation  there  was  a  profuse  discharge  of 
bloody,  purulent  material,  which  gradually  became  less,  but  the  patient  con- 
tinued to  have  an  irregular  temperature — up  to  101°  to  102°  in  the  after- 
noon— the  cough  became  more  troublesome,  while  the  physical  signs  persisted. 
It  was  believed  that  the  subphrenic  abscess  was  not  draining,  so  to  determine 
this  fact  the  X-ray  shown  in  the  illustration  (Fig.  1)  was  taken.  This 
demonstrated  very  plainly  that  the  diaphragm,  above  the  liver,  was  pushed 
upward  almost  to  a  point  to  the  level  of  the  eighth  rib  behind.  So  an  anaes- 
thetic was  administered  on  August  11th,  the  eleventh  day  after  operation,  and  a 

'long,  soft  rubber  tube,  1  cm.  in  diameter,  was  inserted,  to  replace  the  rubber 

.dam,  with  a  further  evacuation  of  pus.    The  cavity  was  irrigated  through  this 
rubber  tube,  and  drainage  was  again  profuse.    On  August  21st  a  second  X-ray 

•was  taken,  showing  the  diaphragm  considerably  lower;  the  tube  was  removed, 
and  again  replaced  by  rubber  dam.     The  temperature  stayed  down  for  four 

•days,  but  on  August  27th  rose  to  103°  again. 

Under  light  chloroform  anaesthesia,  the  adhesion  between  the  right  lobe 
of  the  liver  and  the  diaphragm  were  broken  up  by  the  finger,  inserted  through 
the  incision  in  the  loin,  with  the  resulting  escape  of  considerable  pus.  A 
11  cm.  rubber  tube  was  introduced  a  distance  of  12  cm.,  and  the  cavity,  wbich 
was  well  walled  off,  irrigated. 

As  the  adhesions  were  quite  dense,  the  question  arose  whether  the  dia- 


Fig.  1. — Showing  diaphragm  displaced  upward  by  abscess. 


SUBPHRENIC  ABSCESS  COMPLICATING  APPENDICITIS  87 

pbragm  had  been  perforated,  with  involvement  of  the  pleural  cavity,  and  a 
third  plate  (Fig.  2)  was  taken,  which  demonstrated  that  the  end  of  the  tube 
was  below  the  diaphragm.  The  following  day  the  temperature  was  normal, 
and  further  recovery  was  uneventful. 

It  is  also  of  interest  in  this  case  to  note  the  presence  of  jaundice  as 
Besredka  (quoted  by  Ross)  states,  as  a  means  of  differential  diag- 
nosis ''there  is  never  jaundice  in  uncomplicated  subphrenic  ab- 
scesses. ' ' 

The  mortality  of  subphrenic  abscess  is  about  33  per  cent.  It  is 
lower  in  children  than  in  adults,  probably  because  the  large  majority 
of  eases  are  due  to  appendicitis,  while  in  adults  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  cases  are  caused  by  perforation  of  the  stomach  or  duodenum. 
Intrathoracic  complications  have  been  estimated  to  be  present  in  66 
per  cent  of  the  cases.  This  is  probably  too  high,  as  Ross  states  that  of 
21  cases  coming  to  autopsy,  only  5  showed  purulent  pleurisy  and  1  a 
pleurisy  with  exudate  not  purulent.  Intraperitoneal  abscesses,  which 
are  more  frequent,  are  more  apt  to  perforate  the  diaphragm  than 
extraperitoneal. 

The  diagnosis  is  difficult.  In  addition  to  the  quotation  from  Ross 
given  above,  Reeve  (American  Practice  of  Surgery,  Vol.  7,  1910,  p. 
487)  says:  "There  are  no  certain  physical  signs  by  which  in  all  cases 
collections  of  fluids  above  the  diaphragm  can  be  distinguished  from 
those  situated  below  this  structure. ' '  Also,  "  It  is  not  possible  to  make 
a  differential  diagnosis  between  a  subphrenic  abscess  and  an  encap- 
sulated basal  empyema."  He  advises,  however,  the  use  of  the  Roent- 
gen rays,  and  mentions  a  case  in  which  Monro  demonstrated  the 
presence  of  subphrenic  abscess  by  the  X-ray  after  rib  resection  and 
several  punctures  had  failed.  Although  writers  on  the  subject  allude 
to  the  unreliability  of  the  physical  signs,  this  case  of  Monro's  was 
the  only  one  found  by  the  writer  in  which  the  X-ray  as  a  means  of 
diagnosis  was  made  use  of. 

The  physical  signs  usually  found  are  dulness  or  flatness,  dimin- 
ished breath  and  voice  sounds  and  vocal  fremitus,  with  the  presence 
of  rales  over  the  base  of  the  lung,  the  area  of  dulness  being  char- 
acterized by  being  convex  upward  and  not  changing  its  area  with  a 
change  in  the  position  of  the  patient.  In  those  cases  where  gas  is 
present  in  the  abscess  cavity  there  are  3  zones  of  different  resonance 
on  percussion.  The  normal  pulmonary  resonance  above,  a  zone  of 
tympanic  resonance  caused  by  the  gas,  below  this,  and  the  area  of 
flatness  caused  by  the  pus,  which  is  continuous  on  the  right  side  with 


88  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

the  liver  flatness.  When  there  is  also  fluid  in  the  pleural  cavity  there 
will  be  4  percussion  zones,  an  area  of  flatness  intervening  between 
the  normal  pulmonary  tympany  and  the  tympanitic  zone  caused  by 
the  gas.  In  right-sided  subphrenic  abscess  the  liver  is  apt  to  be  more 
or  less  displaced  downward. 

It  is  recommended  by  all  writers  on  the  subject  that  careful  ex- 
ploration with  the  aspirating  needle  be  made  in  all  questionable  cases 
— and  the  diagnosis  from  the  physical  signs  being  so  uncertain,  makes 
the  majority  of  cases  questionable.  The  certainty  with  which  the  situ- 
ation and  size  of  the  abscess  is  shown  in  the  accompanying  radio- 
graphs demonstrates  their  great  value  in  diagnosis,  although  probably 
they  would  not  be  so  plain  in  a  heavy  adult  as  in  a  child. 

It  is  believed  that  had  a  radiograph  been  taken  in  the  following 
case,  the  diagnosis  might  have  been  made,  as  was  impossible  from  the 
physical  signs,  and  the  life  of  the  patient  perhaps  saved. 

M.  P.,  boy,  aged  8.  Seen  in  consultation  with  Dr.  J.  F.  Bell,  of  Engle- 
wood,  N.  J.,  Nov.  7,  1910.  Patient  had  a  gangrenous  appendix  and  general 
peritonitis,  a  large  amount  of  thin  pus  being  present  in  the  general  peritoneal 
cavity,  as  was  demonstrated  by  operation  at  the  Englewood  Hospital,  three 
hours  after  being  seen  by  the  writer.  Patient  reacted  well  from  the  anaes- 
thetic, and  for  ten  days  temperature  was  between  99°  F.  and  100°  F.,  and 
bowels  moved  daily.  Patient,  however,  did  not  look  well,  and  on  the  fourth 
day  complained  of  pain  in  the  left  chest  Examination  showed  pleuritic 
friction  rales  over  left  base,  which  disappeared  two  days  later,  although  he 
still  complained  of  pain  in  left  chest  and  abdomen,  which  pains  continued 
irregularly  for  several  days.  On  the  tenth  day  after  the  operation  he  still 
complained  of  these  pains,  as  well  as  pain  in  the  throat  and  ears,  and  the 
temperature  rose  to  104.3°  F.,  pulse  180.  Careful,  complete  examination,  as 
well  as  exploration  of  the  wound,  was  negative.  This  examination  was  veri- 
fied on  the  following  (the  twelfth)  day  by  two  additional  physicians,  who 
examined  him  in  consultation.  His  leucocyte  count  was  21,400,  with  79  per 
cent  of  polynuclear  cells.  On  Nov.  19th,  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  day,  after 
a  period  of  apparent  relief  and  temperature  subsidence,  he  suddenly  developed 
at  8  a.m.,  a  harassing  cough,  with  scant  mucous  expectoration.  At  9  a.m.  there 
occurred  an  enormous  purulent  expectoration,  which  became  bloody  as  edema 
developed,  with  cyanosis,  evidently  the  rupture  of  an  abscess  into  the  lung.  This 
expectoration  showed  the  presence  of  streptococci  and  some  diplococci  and  a 
bacillus,  apparently  the  bacillus  coli  communis.  The  respiration  became  more 
shallow,  cyanosis  was  marked,  and  the  pulse  ran  up  to  204.  In  about  an  hour 
and  a  quarter  the  patient  died,  apparently  drowned  by  the  pus  in  the  lung. 

An  autopsy  in  this  case  was  refused,  and  while  it  is  possible  that 
the  abscess  which  ruptured  might  have  been  in  the  lung  or  mediasti- 
num, there  were  certainly  no  physical  signs  indicating  its  presence 


Fig.  2. — Showing  tube  in  abscess  cavity,  between  liver  and  diaphragm. 


Fig.  3. — Showing  condition  on  discharge. 


SUBPHRENIC  ABSCESS  COMPLICATING  APPENDICITIS  89 

except  the  friction  rales  over  the  left  base  for  a  few  days,  and  no  sub- 
jective symptoms  except  pain  in  the  left  chest  and  shoulder.  It  is, 
therefore,  believed  that  this  was  a  subphrenic  abscess  which  ruptured 
through  the  diaphragm  into  the  lung,  which,  in  the  absence  of  physi- 
cal signs,  might  have  been  demonstrated  by  the  X-ray  in  time  to  save 
the  patient. 

Treatment  of  subphrenic  abscess  consists  of  evacuation  of  the  pus, 
either  by  means  of  an  incision  in  the  loin  or  abdomen,  after  dealing 
with  the  primary  cause,  and  drainage  with  a  rubber  tube.  This 
method  was  followed  in  the  first  case  reported,  and  was  satisfactory 
as  long  as  the  drainage  tube  was  kept  in  place. 

In  abscess  high  up  under  the  diaphragm,  more  satisfactory  drainage 
is  obtained  by  the  subpleural  route,  the  tenth  rib  being  resected  in  the 
mid  axillary  line  and  the  abscess  opened  through  the  diaphragm  be- 
low the  pleural  reflection. 

If  the  incision  opens  the  pleural  cavity  (trans-pleural  route),  the 
pleura  above  should  be  closed,  and  the  diaphragm  sutured  to  the  in- 
tercostal muscles  in  the  incision,  to  close  off  the  cavity  above  before 
opening  the  abscess,  which  is  then  drained  with  a  large  rubber  tube. 


FIVE  CASES  OF  ESOPHAGEAL  OBSTRUCTION  FROM 
THREE  DIFFERENT  CAUSES. 

Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D. 

During  the  past  eight  months  there  have  occurred  on  the  ser- 
vice of  Dr.  Robert  Abbe  (Surgical  Division  A)  five  cases  of  ob- 
struction of  the  esophagus  from  three  different  causes.  The  first 
was  in  a  child  of  2  years,  due  to  a  foreign  body  which  had  lodged 
in  the  lower  part,  just  above  the  diaphragmatic  opening.  The  next 
two  were  also  in  children,  one  of  3,  and  the  other  of  Sy2  years,  due 
to  the  drinking  of  caustic  fluids  which  had  been  carelessly  left  about. 
These  were  practically  impermeable  strictures  except  to  small  amounts 
of  fluid.  The  last  2  cases  were  due  to  cancer,  one  situated  10y2  inches 
from  the  upper  alveolar  border,  and  the  other  at  the  cardiac  extremity 
of  the  esophagus. 

Brief  histories  of  these  cases  follow : 

OBSTRUCTION   OF  THE  ESOPHAGUS  FROM   A   STEEL  BALL   CAUSING   A  BALL  VALVE. 

Surgical  No.  85,611.— J.  G.,  2  years  old,  was  admitted  to  the  service  of 
Dr.  Robert  Abbe  (Surgical  Division  A)  May  20,  1911.  He  was  previously 
a  normal,  healthy  baby.  For  twenty-four  hours  before  admission,  he  had 
been  unable  to  retain  food.  Although  he  appeared  hungry,  he  expelled 
everything  a  few  minutes  after  eating.  There  was  no  blood  and  no 
fever  nor  chill.  For  the  three  or  four  hours  previous  to  admission,  he  had 
refused  both  solids  and  liquids.  He  had  not  cried,  nor  did  he  have  severe 
pain  or  discomfort. 

On  examination  he  appeared  restless  and  anxious.  His  mouth  and  tongue 
were  clean.  Skin  and  mucous  membranes  clear.  There  were  no  rashes.  I  lis 
heart  and  lungs  were  normal.  There  was  no  distention,  no  tenderness  nor 
rigidity  of  the  abdomen.  No  mass  was  felt,  nor  localized  tenderness  in  any 
part  of  the  body.  The  child  vomited  everything  given  him  as  soon  as  the 
smallest  quantity  was  taken.  There  was  obstruction  to  the  passage  of  food. 
The  child  could  not  swallow  water.  In  the  evening  of  the  day  of  admission 
(May  20th),  he  vomited  a  small  quantity  of  brownish  fluid  tinged  with  blood. 
He  was  taken  to  the  operating  room  shortly  after,  and  an  instrument  was 
passed  about  ten  inches,  but  no  metal  nor  stone  object  could  be  felt. 

90 


Fig.     1. — This  picture  shows  steel  ball  at  cardiac  end  of  the  esophagus  before 

its  displacement. 


Fig.  2. — X-ray,  showing  steel  ball  displaced  into  stomach,  with  coin 
catcher  at  its  side.  This  picture  has  been  reversed  in  printing.  A. — Picture 
of  steel  ball,  %  inch  in  diameter,  which  caused  esophageal  obstruction. 


ESOPHAGEAL  OBSTRUCTION  91 

An  X-ray  was  taken  on  the  21st,  showing  an  object  opposite  the  8th  rib, 
round  and  looking  like  a  button.    Fig.  1. 

On  the  22d,  he  was  again  taken  to  the  operating  room,  and  the  esoph- 
agoscope  was  passed  under  ether  with  the  aid  of  vision.  The  entire  mucosa 
of  the  esophagus  looked  healthy,  but  no  definite  foreign  body  could  be  seen. 
At  the  end  of  the  tube  there  was,  however,  a  dark  spot,  but  this  was  not 
clearly  defined.  The  esophagoscope  was  withdrawn  and  a  coin-catcher  thrust 
into  the  stomach.  An  X-ray  was  taken  with  this  instrument  in  place,  and 
showed  that  the  foreign  body  had  been  displaced,  and  now  lay  in  the  stomach, 
below  the  diaphragm.    Fig.  2. 

The  night  following  this  treatment  the  child  did  not  vomit,  nor  did  he 
vomit  since  that  time  while  in  the  hospital. 

On  May  26th  he  passed  a  large  semi-formed  stool  "containing  a  marble." 
This  marble  proved  to  be  a  steel  ball  such  as  is  used  in  ball  bearings  of 
motor  cars.  Fig.  2A.  This  had  acted  at  the  cardiac  end  of  the  esophagus. 
as  a  ball  for  a  ball  valve,  and  had  absolutely  prevented  his  swallowing. 

On  June  1st  he  was  discharged  in  good  condition. 

TWO    CASES    OF    STRICTURE    OF    THE    ESOPHAGUS    FOLLOWING    THE    INGESTION    OF    A 

CAUSTIC  FLUID. 

Surgical  No.  86,880.— C.  D.,  3  years  old,  was  admitted  to  the  service  of 
Division  A,  September  12,  1911,  with  the  history  of  having  swallowed  some 
concentrated  lye  in  April,  1910.  For  a  short  time  after  this  he  was  able  to 
swallow  solid  food,  but  gradually  obstruction  increased,  and  everything  solid 
would  be  regurgitated  immediately  after  taking.  By  feeding  with  thin 
broths  and  milk,  he  had  been  kept  alive. 

On  admission  he  was  thin,  pale  and  delicate,  with  some  involvement  of 
the  right  lung.  His  heart  and  other  viscera  were  normal,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  an  obstruction  of  the  esophagus,  impermeable  except  to  small  amounts 
of  fluids. 

Two  days  after  admission,  a  gastrostomy  was  performed  by  Dr.  Schley, 
and  through  this  his  nourishment  was  given  until  his  condition  sufficiently 
improved  to  warrant  further  interference.  With  the  co-operation  of  Dr.  L.  T. 
Le  Wald,  it  was  possible  to  obtain  good  X-ray  pictures  of  his  esophageal 
condition.     Fig.  3. 

On  the  3d  of  November  he  was  taken  to  the  operating  room,  and  by  the 
aid  of  the  esophagoscope  a  filiform  bougie  was  passed  through  the  stricture 
into  the  stomach.  This  was  followed  by  a  silk  string,  and  the  esophagus 
was  then  dilated  by  means  of  the  Abbe  string  cutting  method1  *  *  to  about 
a  20  French  bougie.  The  next  day  the  patient  retained  the  water  given  him 
by  mouth. 

On  the  6th  of  November  he  was  again  X-rayed,  and  on  the  10th  still 
another  picture  was  obtained,  after  which  he  went  to  the  operating  room  for 

]G.  Gottstein,  Keen's  Surgery,  1910,  vol.  iii,  p.  808. 
3R.  Abbe,  N.  Y.  Med.  Record,  1893,  Nr.  25. 
3R.  Abbe,  Ann.  of  Surg.,  1893,  vol.  xii. 


92  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

a  second  string  cutting  operation.  The  esophagoscope  was  introduced  about 
6  inches  to  the  top  of  the  first  stricture,  a  small  bougie  then  introduced 
through  the  constriction  into  the  stomach,  and  to  it  was  tied  a  silk  string. 
The  operation  of  the  previous  week  was  repeated  until  a  number  34  French 
bougie  was  passed  into  the  stomach.  An  attempt  was  made  before  passing 
this  bougie  to  pass  a  bougie  &  Boule.  This  engaged  its  tip  at  the  lower 
stricture,  but  it  could  not  be  forced  through  even  with  the  aid  of  the  string- 
sawing.* 

On  November  17th  and  18th,  the  note  is  made  that  an  8-oz.  feeding  was 
taken  by  mouth,  and  he  retained  his  nourishment.  A  number  28  bougie  has 
since  been  passed  twice  a  week  for  a  number  of  weeks,  and  the  patient  now 
takes  the  greater  part  of  his  nourishment  by  mouth.5 

Highest  temperature  after  operation  was  102  3-5°,  and  highest  pulse  rate 
160°. 

Surgical  No.  87,688. — D.  B.,  3%  years  old,  was  referred  by  Dr.  Withington, 
of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  to  the  service  of  Dr.  Robert  Abbe,  Division  A,  and  was 
admitted  November  26,  1911. 

About  9  months  previous  to  admission,  the  child  swallowed  some  potash 
used  for  cleaning.  Prom  that  time  there  was  a  constantly  increasing  diffi- 
culty in  swallowing.  Finally,  everything  taken  into  the  mouth  was  regurgi- 
tated. Upon  examination,  she  was  found  weak,  greatly  emaciated  and  im- 
passive. Heart  and  lungs  normal.  By  X-ray  examination  (Dr.  Le  Wald), 
with  the  aid  of  bismuth,  a  distention  of  the  upper  part  of  the  esophagus 
with  an  almost  complete  obliteration  of  the  remainder  was  shown.     Fig.  4. 

On  November  27th  a  gastrostomy  was  performed  under  ether  and  a  tube 
left  in  place.    Feedings  of  fluids  were  begun  at  once  through  this  tube. 

On  December  22d,  by  aid  of  the  esophagoscope,  and  impossible  without  it, 
a  Aliform  bougie  was  passed  through  the  stricture  as  in  the  previous  case. 
This  was  followed  by  a  silk  string,  and  the  string  cutting  operation  was 
performed  by  Dr.  Abbe.  This  was  continued  until  the  esophagus  would  per- 
mit of  the  passage  of  a  number  30  French  bougie.  After  a  few  days,  a  num- 
ber 28  bougie  was  passed  every  week,  and  latterly  twice  a  week. 

The  patient  then  took  and  retained  almost  all  of  her  food  by  mouth.  On 
January  7th  she  had  not  had  any  gastrostomy  feeding  for  10  days.  On  the 
31st  she  weighed  31  lbs.  4  ozs.,  a  gain  of  12  pounds.  The  gastrostomy 
wound  was  closed,  and  all  food  was  taken  and  retained  by  mouth." 

Highest  post-operative  temperature,  101°;  highest  pulse  rate,  120°. 

TWO    CASES    OF    MALIGNANT    STRICTURE   OF    THE    ESOPHAGUS. 

Surgical  No.  87,414.— Mrs.  I.  A.,  54  years  old,  Russian,  and  a  widow,  was 
admitted    to   the    service    of    Dr.    Robert    Abbe    (Surgical    Division    A),    on 

*It  was  interesting  to  note  that  the  distance  from  the  upper  teeth  to  the 
cardiac  opening,  by  palpation  with  the  index  finger  in  the  stomach,  was 
precisely  10y2  inches;  in  this  child  37  inches  long. 

5On  May  1,  1912,  he  had  gained  several  pounds,  and  takes  all  his  nourish- 
ment by  mouth,  and  has  a  No.  34  F.  bougie  passed  once  in  7  to  10  days. 

•She  now  weighs  37  pounds  and  4  ounces,  April  15th. 


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ESOPHAGEAL  OBSTRUCTION  93 

October  31,  1911.  Her  chief  complaint  was  inability  to  swallow.  About 
six  months  ago  she  first  noticed  this  difficulty,  which  was  limited  chiefly 
to  solid  food.  She  had  grown  thin,  was  hungry,  but  could  not  eat.  She 
had  no  pain,  with  the  exception  that  she  had  feeling  of  discomfort  when 
a  piece  of  food  lodged  in  her  esophagus.  Neither  her  past  nor  her  present 
history  had  salient  points.  Her  family  history  was  negative.  Upon  her 
admission  she  appeared  to  be  a  poorly  nourished  woman,  chronically  ill. 
Upon  attempts  to  swallow,  food  regurgitated  frequently.  Her  lungs  were 
clear,  heart  slightly  enlarged,  her  abdomen  soft  and  relaxed,  with  no 
tenderness  nor  masses. 

Her  liver  was  two  inches  below  costal  margin  in  middle  line.  There  was 
no  tenderness.  Examination  of  her  esophagus  showed  some  obstruction. 
A  gastrostomy  was  done  on  November  3d,  by  Dr.  Abbe,  under  local  anaesthesia, 
and  a  tube  introduced,  and  by  means  of  this  the  necessary  feedings  were 
carried  on. 

Examination  of  the  esophagus  by  bougies  showed  the  presence  of  a  stric- 
ture 8  mm.  in  diameter  and  10y2  inches  from  the  upper  incisor  border. 

An  X-ray  and  bismuth  picture  of  the  stricture  was  taken  with  the  as- 
sistance of  Dr.  Le  Wald.  The  lower  end  of  the  esophagus  was  plugged  by 
pulling  up  through  the  gastrostomy  opening  the  ball  of  a  bougie  a  Boule 
upon  a  stout  silk  thread.  The  patient  was  then  directed  to  swallow  2  ozs. 
of  bismuth  sub-carbonate  suspended  in  a  fermented  milk  product,  and  at 
once  the  X-ray  was  taken.  The  result  is  shown  in  the  accompanying 
picture  (Fig.  5).  The  whole  clinical  picture  was  one  of  malignant  disease, 
but  it  was  impossible  to  confirm  this  by  a  pathological  section. 

After  some  dilatation  of  the  stricture  with  the  appropriate  bougies  and 
the  string  sawing  method,  a  lead  capsule  containing  100  mg.  of  radium  was 
introduced  by  Dr.  Abbe  and  left  there  for  six  hours.  After  this  procedure 
the  stricture  was  dilated  with  a  bougie  once  a  week.  She  was  shortly  able 
to  swallow  with  comfort.  Upon  her  discharge  from  the  hospital,  Decem- 
ber 18th,  although  it  was  not  possible  to  hope  for  a  cure,  she  was  much 
improved.  She  said  she  could  swallow  "everything,"  and  certainly  there 
was  a  great  amelioration  of  her  symptoms.  She  has  returned  once  a  week 
to  the  hospital  for  observation. 

Surgical  No.  88,040.— Mrs.  L.  L.,  aged  59.  a  widow,  was  admitted  to  the 
service  of  Dr.  Abbe  (Surgical  Division  A),  on  December  29,  1911.  Her  chief 
complaint  was  inability  to  swallow.  About  a  year  previous  to  admission, 
she  began  to  notice  that  food  other  than  soft  food  was  vomited  at  once. 
The  beginning  was  gradual,  but  the  condition  grew  steadily  worse,  so  that 
on  admission  all  foods  were  regurgitated.  There  was  discomfort,  but  no 
accompanying  pain.  Her  past  history  was  good  and  her  family  history 
negative.  Upon  examination  her  viscera  appeared  to  be  normal,  with  the 
exception  of  her  esophageal  and  esophago-gastric  region.  In  her  esophagus 
a  bougie  passed  but  13%  inches  and  then  met  with  obstruction.  (She  was 
rather  a  short  woman  and  this  distance  proved  to  be  nearly  the  length  of 
her  esophagus,  as  was  shown  later  at  operation.) 

An  X-ray  and  bismuth  picture  of  the  esophagus  and  stomach  by  Dr.  Le 


94  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Wald  showed  a  stricture  at  the  cardiac  end  of  the  esophagus  (Fig.  6).  The 
diagnosis  of  carcinoma  of  this  region  was  made.  It  was  confirmed  at  the 
operation  by  Dr.  Abbe  a  few  days  later.  A  gastrostomy  was  performed,  and 
a  more  or  less  annular  carcinoma  was  demonstrated. 


Fig.  5. — This  picture  shows  the  dilated  portion  of  the  esophagus  above 
the  stricture  (A),  which  in  this  case  presents  the  appearance  of  malignancy. 
Before  taking  this  picture  the  esophagus  was  plugged  by  pulling  up  through 
the  gastrostomy  oj  ening  the  ball  of  a  bougie  a  Boule.  The  patient  was  then 
directed  to  swallow  the  bismuth  mixture,  and  the  X-ray  was  taken.  The 
position  has  been  reversed  in  printing.  The  stricture  and  the  lumen  of  the 
esophagus  have  been  outlined  to  facilitate   interpretation. 


Fig.  (J. — This  picture  shows  a  malignant  stricture  (A)  at  the  cardiac 
end  of  the  esophagus.  The  esophagus  is  seen  dilated  above  it,  and  the 
stomach  is  also  seen  containing  bismuth  below  it.  Contour  of  the  esophagus 
has  been  outlined  to  facilitate  interpretation.  The  tumor  mass  is  indicated 
by  the  dotted  line. 


THREE   CASES  OF   ILEO-COLIC   INTUSSUSCEPTION  WITH 

REDUCTION  AND  ANCHORAGE  BY  MEANS  OF  THE 

APPENDIX— TWO  RECOVERIES. 

Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D. 

Since  April,  1911,  there  have  occurred  on  the  surgical  service  of 
Dr.  Abbe,  Division  A,  three  cases  of  acute  intestinal  intussusception. 
All  three  came  to  operation.  Two  of  them  recovered.  Two  of  these 
cases  were  sent  in  early,  one  had  lasted  a  longer  time.  The  histories 
and  method  of  dealing  with  the  intussusception  may  serve  to  promote 
discussion,  and  may  be  of  interest. 

Surgical  No.  85,972.— J.  H.,  6  months  old,  was  admitted  to  the  service  of 
Dr.  Robert  Abbe,  Division  A,  June  19,  1911.  For  21  hours  previous  to 
admission,  his  mother  noticed  he  was  very  cross,  and  would  gag  and  scream 
with  pain.  He  refused  to  nurse,  and  would  not  take  water.  At  5  o'clock 
in  the  morning  of  the  day  of  admission,  his  mother  noticed  a  bloody  stool. 
Frequently  thereafter  this  was  repeated.  At  8  o'clock  he  began  to  vomit 
light  yellow  material.  The  family  physician  was  called,  and  sent  the  infant 
directly  to  the  hospital.     He  arrived  at  1  o'clock. 

Upon  examination,  a  typical  sausage-shaped  tumor  was  found  extending 
across  the  abdomen.  By  rectal  examination,  the  tip  of  the  intussusceptum 
could  be  felt  presenting  the  feel  of  a  "cervix."  The  child  was  operated  upon 
at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Operation  (Dr.  Green).— A  median  incision  was  made  from  the  umbilicus 
to  the  pubis.  The  transverse  colon  was  found  distended  and  bluish,  and  the 
ileum  was  seen  passing  into  it.  This  sausage-shaped  "tumor"  extended 
down  to  the  rectum.  By  gentle  squeezing  and  traction,  the  intussusception 
was  entirely  reduced.  There  was  no  lack  of  lustre,  nor  was  there  any  at- 
tempt at  adhesion  formation.  Some  means  for  preventing  its  recurrence  was 
looked  for,  and  the  appendix,  presenting  itself,  was  drawn  through  a  small 
slit  in  the  iliac  region,  where  it  was  anchored.  Irrigation  with  salt  solu- 
tion was  performed  through  it.  The  median  wound  was  closed  in  layers. 
The  appendix  sloughed  off  in  two  days  and  both  wounds  healed  uneventfully, 
leaving  no  sinus. 

The  patient  was  discharged  cured  July  5,  1911,  eighteen  days  after 
operation. 

Surgical  No.  86,746.— G.  A.  W.,  8  months  old,  was  admitted  to  the  service 
of  Dr.  Robert  Abbe   (Division  A),  on  the  30th  of  August,  1911.     The  chief 

95 


96  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

complaint  was  "a  prolapse  of  the  rectum."  His  illness  began  3  months 
previous  to  admission,  when  what  appeared  to  be  a  small  piece  of  rectal 
mucosa  protruded  from  the  anal  ring.  There  was  no  vomiting  nor  passage 
of  blood.  The  "prolapse,"  which  was  at  first  small,  gradually  became  larger. 
It  could  be  apparently  reduced.  Later  the  stools  contained  mucus  and  much 
blood,  still  there  was  no  vomiting  nor  visible  distress.  On  admission,  the 
child  vomited  once,  but  did  not  look  ill. 

Physical  examination  showed  no  rigidity  nor  tenderness  of  the  abdomen. 
On  the  left  side,  extending  from  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  to  the  left  costal 
border,  there  was  a  hard  sausage-shaped  mass  which  was  not  tender.  This 
was  best  felt  when  the  "prolapse"  was  reduced.  Protruding  from  the  anus 
there  was  a  large  sausage-shaped  mass  consisting  of  bowel.  The  tissue  was 
quite  red  and  bled  easily  on  handling.  At  the  end  of  the  mass  there  were 
two  openings,  one  of  which  was  blind,  but  admitted  a  probe  for  2  inches, 
the  other  admitted  a  catheter  indefinitely.  This  entire  mass  was  easily 
reducible  just  within  the  sphincter  ani,  but  came  out  immediately  upon  re- 
laxing pressure. 

On  rectal  examination,  a  firm  ring  could  be  felt  as  far  as  the  finger 
reached,  and  the  ring  was  much  enlarged. 

The  child  was  operated  upon  the  afternoon  of  September  the  1st. 

Operation  (Dr.  Green).— Through  a  median  incision,  the  lower  part  of  the 
ileum,  the  caecum  with  appendix  and  ascending  colon  were  found  intus- 
suscepted  into  the  transverse  and  descending  colon  to  an  extent  sufficient  to 
allow  the  ileo-csecal  valve  and  the  mouth  of  the  appendix  to  present  at  the 
tip  of  the  prolapsed  tumor  5  inches  outside  of  the  anus  (see  picture).  With 
gentle  traction  and  pressure  below  the  intussuscepted  gut,  it  was  quite  easily 
reduced  and  found  in  a  good  and  healthy  condition.  The  appendix  was 
identified  and  carried  through  a  small  stab  wound  made  in  the  abdominal 
wall  just  above  and  in  front  of  the  anterior  superior  spine  of  the  ilium.  It 
was  anchored  here  and  the  main  wound  closed.  The  child  returned  to  the 
ward  in  fairly  good  condition,  but  at  11  o'clock  that  evening  he  suddenly 
became  worse,  and  died  ten  minutes  later. 

Surgical  No.  87,792.— M.  H.,  4  months  old,  was  admitted  to  the  service  of 
Dr.  Abbe,  Division  A,  on  December  6,  1911.  In  the  early  morning  of 
the  day  of  admission,  the  mother  noticed  that  the  child  was  restless,  and 
refused  to  nurse.  Five  hours  later  it  passed  a  bloody  stool.  The  mother 
then  sent  for  her  family  physician,  who  came  that  afternoon  and  sent  the 
child  immediately  to  the  hospital.  Upon  examination,  the  patient  presented 
the  appearance  of  a  fat,  healthy  baby.  A  typical  sausage-shaped  swelling 
existed,  extending  transversely  across  the  abdomen  just  below  the  umbilicus. 
The  diagnosis  of  an  acute  intussusception  was  made  and  at  5  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  she  was  operated  upon. 

Operation  (Dr.  Green).— Through  a  median  incision  extending  from  the 
umbilicus  to  the  pubis,  the  bowel  was  reduced  by  careful  squeezing  with  one 
band  and  traction  with  the  other.  The  intussusceptum  proved  to  be  the 
appendix,  caput  coli  ileum  and  ascending  colon  in  the  order  named.  The 
Intussuscipiens  was  the  transverse  colon.     There  was  no  evidence  of  any 


Fig.    1. — Ileo-colic    intussusception,    showing    protrusion    of   tumor,    with    ileo- 
cecal valve  at  the  tip. 


Fig.  2. — Another  view  ot  protruding  ileo-colic  intussusception  in  Case.  2. 


ILEOCOLIC  INTUSSUSCEPTION  97 

tendency  to  adhesion  formation,  nor  was  any  lymph  thrown  out.  Through 
a  stab  wound  in  the  right  iliac  fossa  the  appendix  was  drawn  out,  and  its 
mesentery  and  serosa  anchored  to  the  peritoneum,  the  appendix  being  placed 
between  two  wipes.  The  median  wound  was  closed,  using  one  suture  for 
the  peritoneum  and  closing  the  remaining  layers  with  through  and  through 
silkworm  gut. 

The  appendix  sloughed  away  on  the  5th  day.  The  stump  was  closed  by 
touching  it  from  time  to  time  with  silver  nitrite,  and  4  weeks  after  operation 
the  patient  was  discharged  cured. 

The  child  was  chiefly  breast-fed,  after  the  operation,  with  the  addition 
of  a  little  extra  feeding  at  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Charles  F.  Collins,  who 
kindly  regulated  the  post-operative  diet  for  a  week. 


MESENTERIC    THROMBOSIS    WITH    RESECTION    OF    SIX 
FEET  OF  SMALL  INTESTINE— RECOVERY. 

Nathan  W.  Green,  M.D. 

Surgical  No.  85978.— W.  A.  H.,  American,  school  teacher,  43  years  old, 
was  admitted  to  the  service  of  Surgical  Division  A,  on  the  19th  of  June, 
1911.  Her  family  history  recorded  the  death  of  three  brothers  and  one 
sister  from  tuberculosis.  Two  sisters  were  living  and  well.  Her  previous 
history  was  good,  and  she  has  had  two  children,  the  last  eleven  years  ago. 
Both  were  well.  One  week  previous  to  her  admission,  she  ate  something 
at  a  restaurant  to  which  she  attributed  a  diarrhoea,  with  cramps,  which 
lasted  two  days  in  spite  of  castor  oil  (her  elder  boy,  14  years  old,  was  also 
ill  after  eating  the  same).  Three  days  previous  to  admission  she  passed, 
without  accompanying  pain,  a  black  stool.  After  that  she  felt  well  until 
the  morning  of  the  day  of  admission,  when  at  three  o'clock  she  was  awak- 
ened by  a  severe  pain  one  inch  to  the  left  of  the  umbilicus.  The  pain  did 
not  change  its  position  but  became  steadily  worse.  She  then  took  an  enema 
with  but  slight  result,  and  collapsed.  She  had  nausea,  and  after  medication 
she  vomited.  The  pain  was  so  severe  that  a  hypodermatic  injection  of  mor- 
phine was  required.  Her  physician,  Dr.  E.  J.  Richardson,  came  in  the  after- 
noon, and  at  once  sent  her  to  the  hospital.  The  appearance  was  that  of  in- 
testinal obstruction.  On  admission,  her  temperature  was  99°  F.,  pulse  106°, 
respiration  28.  She  appeared  severely  and  acutely  ill.  Her  abdomen  was 
somewhat  distended,  with  acute  tenderness  all  over,  but  most  severe  near  the 
midline.  The  distension  was  symmetrical,  percussion  tympanitic,  but  no 
mass  was  felt.     She  was  operated  upon  16  hours  after  her  initial  pain. 

Operation  (Dr.  Green). — Resection  of  5  feet  9  inches  of  ileum  with  end 
to  end  anastomosis  with  a  Murphy  button.  A  median  incision  was  made, 
and  on  opening  the  peritoneal  cavity,  a  litre  of  blood-stained  fluid  drained 
off.  Lying  more  or  less  transversely  from  the  left  iliac-fossa  to  the  ileo- 
cecal region  was  a  coil  of  gut  V/2  feet  which  was  of  a  reddish-black 
color,  with  4  feet  of  a  dark  red  color.  There  was  no  lymph  exudate  observ- 
able. The  intestinal  border  of  the  mesenteric  fan  attached  to  the  impaired 
gut  was  thickened,  red  and  dusky.  There  was  no  angulation  nor  volvulus. 
The  affected  portion  of  gut,  together  with  the  thickened  part  of  the  mesen- 
tery, was  cut  away  about  4  inches  each  side  of  the  line  of  demarkation. 
But  as  there  was  not  satisfactory  bleeding  from  the  remaining  ends,  more 
was  removed  until  sharp  arterial  bleeding  was  encountered.  The  mesentery 
was  ligated  with  an  interrupted  chain  ligature,  and  the  ends  of  the  gut  were 


•noiptujsqo  [is9SBqd0S9  pestiBD  qoiq^  uejouiiMp  in  qouj  %  'ipsq  laajs  jo 
a.m}oij — v  ■Suuui.kI  m  pasaaAaj  uaaq  sisq  ean;oid  stqj,  "apis  sh  ;u  .laqojuo 
nioo    iuiav    'qo^rao^s    opn    peo'Btdsip    qBq    [99}s   SniMoqs    "a'iu-x — "S    'Sij 


MESENTERIC  THROMBOSIS  99 

united  with  a  Murphy  Button  reinforced  by  a  Cushing  Stitch.  The  peri- 
toneum was  washed  with  a  Blake  Tube.  Drainage  to  the  site  of  anasto- 
mosis was  instituted  and  the  wound  closed  with,  through  and  through,  silk 
worm  gut  sutures. 

As  deliberation  in  testing  the  ends  of  the  remaining  gut  was  used  before 
anastomosis,  the  time  of  the  operation  lasted  nearly  an  hour.  The  first  day 
after  operation  her  temperature  rose  to  100  4-5°  F.,  pulse,  156;  respiration,  28. 
Her  highest  post-operative  temperature  was  102  2-5  on  the  14th  day  after 
operation,  and  was  due  to  an  accumulation  of  pus  which  then  escaped 
through  the  drainage  sinus.  She  had  an  intercurrent  apical  bronchitis,  of 
rather  severe  type,  and  her  sinus  discharged  for  some  weeks.  An  X-ray 
taken  July  18,  1911,  to  locate  the  Murphy  button,  showed  it  in  the  pelvis 
(Fig.  1).    It  passed  a  few  days  later. 

The  patient  has  gained  35  pounds  since  her  discharge  from  the  hospital 
on  August  29,  1911,  and  has  been  for  several  months  discharging  her  duties 
as  a  teacher.  She  reported,  on  February  1st,  that  she  was  as  well  as  she 
ever  was.1 

The  section  of  intestine  (Fig.  2),  when  freshly  removed,  measured  5  feet 
9  inches,  without  traction  upon  it.  Later,  when  it  was  received  in  the  Path- 
ological Department,  the  length  was  reported  as  2y2  meters.  The  pathological 
report  is  as  follows :  "Specimen  consists  of  2M>  meters  of  small  intestine, 
with  mesentery  attached.  The  diameter  of  the  bowel  is  about  normal.  The 
greater  portion  is  of  a  purplish-red  color,  and  the  surface  has  lost  its  normal 
gloss.  Ten  centimeters  from  the  anterior  end  is  a  definite  line  of  demarka- 
tion,  on  the  proximal  side  of  which  the  intestine  appears  normal.  Imme- 
diately beyond  this  point,  it  assumes  a  dark-colored  appearance,  which  grad- 
ually becomes  less  marked.  At  a  point  about  50  centimeters  from  the  distal 
end  is  a  less  distinct  line  of  demarkation,  but  even  beyond  this  the  intestine 
is  much  congested.  The  mesentery  contains  much  fat,  and  the  veins  are 
distinctly  dilated. 

"Microscopical  examination  of  a  section  taken  from  near  the  root  of  the 
mesentery  shows  a  large  vein  occluded  by  a  thrombus,  in  which  are  a  num- 
ber of  fibro  blasts  indicating  beginning  organization.  There  is  some  hemor- 
rhage into  the  areolar  tissue,  but  no  marked  inflammatory  reaction.  A  sec- 
tion of  the  mesentery,  made  nearer  the  intestine,  shows  a  smaller  vein  with 
a  thrombus  attached  to  its  wall  on  one  side,  which  does  not,  however,  com- 
pletely block  the  vessel,  and  shows  no  signs  of  organization.  The  tissues 
about  the  vessel  contain  many  red  blood  cells  and  a  few  leucocytes.  In 
other  areas,  both  arteries  and  veins  are  free  from  thrombi. 

"A  section  of  the  intestinal  wall  shows  no  remains  of  epithelial  lining. 
The  villi  and  muscularis  are  densely  packed  with  blood  cells,  which  almost 
completely  hide  the  connective  tissue  framework  and  the  muscle.  The  nuclei 
of  the  muscle  and  connective  tissue  cells  stain  very  faintly.  The  small 
blood-vessels  beneath  the  peritoneum  are  free  from  thrombi." 


*For  the  first  two  or  three  months  after  her  resection  she  suffered  from  a 
diarrhoea,  or,  rather,  a  frequency  of  defecation.  This  has  corrected  itself,  and 
now  she  is  normal  In  this  respect 


100  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

The  striking  appearance  at  operation,  the  lack  of  both  arterial  and 
venous  bleeding  on  sectioning  the  gut  and  its  mesentery  and  the  find- 
ings in  the  Pathological  Eeport  all  warrant  the  diagnosis  of  Mesen- 
teric Thrombosis.  The  clinical  picture  was  almost  a  facsimile  of  Dr. 
W.  S.  Schley's  case,  reported  before  the  New  York  Surgical  Society 
in  1911,  and  which  is  on  record  in  the  Medical  and  Surgical  Reports 
of  St.  Luke's  Hospital  for  1910. 


PAPILLOMA  OF  THE  BLADDER  TREATED  BY  EXCISION- 
RECURRENCE  TREATED  WITH  RADIUM  AND  THE 
HIGH  FREQUENCY  CURRENT. 

Henry  G.  Bugbee,  M.D. 

Prior  to  1910,  tumors  of  the  bladder  were  treated  by  one  method — 
excision.  In  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Association  for  May 
28,  1910,  Dr.  Edwin  Beer,  of  New  York,  described  a  new  method  of 
treating  papillomata  of  the  bladder  by  the  high  frequency  current. 
At  that  time  he  reported  2  cases  so  treated  with  excellent  result. 

Since  then,  Keyes,  in  the  American  Journal  of  Surgery,  July,  1910 ; 
Buerger  and  Wolborst,  New  York  Medical  Journal,  October  27,  1910, 
and  McCarthy,  have  reported  cases  which  have  confirmed  Beer's  ob- 
servations. 

Beer's  second  report,  Annals  of  Surgery,  August,  1911,  gives  a 
more  detailed  account  of  his  early  cases,  and  he  adds  3  more.  He 
comments  as  follows:  ''From  all  of  these  observations  (references 
above),  based  on  the  application  of  the  high  frequency  treatment  as 
used  in  some  38  papillary  growths,  it  must  be  evident  to  the  most 
sceptical  that  in  this  new  method  we  have  raised  a  mighty  rival  to 
the  older  suprapubic  and  to  the  transperitoneal  and  operative  cysto- 
scopic  methods.  I  believe  it  will  supplant  previous  methods,  because 
of  its  greater  simplicity  and  its  great  effectiveness." 

The  case  which  I  wish  to  report  is  that  of  a  patient,  56  years  of 
age,  who  has  been  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Robert  Abbe  since  1903,  and 
which  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  studying  in  conjunction  with  him, 
for  the  past  2  months. 

The  record  of  the  case  is  as  follows: 

There  is  nothing  of  note  in  the  patient's  history  until  1903.  He  had 
always  enjoyed  good  health,  was  of  large  frame,  well  nourished.  Eight  years 
ago  he  began  to  notice  a  slight  irritation  in  the  bladder  and  a  faint,  bloody 
tinge  to  the  urine.  Urination  became  more  frequent,  was  accompanied  by 
slight  burning,  but  no  pain  or  actual  distress,  and  the  stream  had  good 
volume  and  force.    An  X-ray  examination  was  made  with  negative  result. 

This  condition  prevailed  until  July,  1905,  when  a  cystoscopic  examination 

101 


102  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

by  Dr.  Abbe  revealed  a  papilloma  of  the  bladder.  The  growth  was  benign, 
villous,  pedunculated,  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg,  located  above  and  slightly 
posterior  to  the  right  ureter  in  the  Bas-fond.  This  Dr.  Abbe  removed 
through  a  suprapubic  opening.  Not  only  was  the  growth  removed,  but  a 
wide  excision  of  the  bladder  mucous  membrane  made  about  the  pedicle. 
The  convalescence  was  rapid,  the  wound  closing  at  once,  and  the  patient 
was  well  until  1907,  when  blood  again  appeared  in  the  urine.  Cystoscopy 
revealed  a  recurrence  of  the  growth  at  its  former  site,  i.e.,  above  and  pos- 
terior to  the  right  ureteral  orifice.  This  recurrence  was  a  tumor  of  the  same 
characteristics  as  the  original  growth,  but  smaller  (about  the  size  of  a  wal- 
nut). An  application  of  a  radium  tube,  bound  to  a  probe,  was  made  to 
the  growth  through  a  direct  cystoscope,  by  Dr.  Abbe  and  Dr.  F.  Tilden 
Brown.  The  tumor  disappeared  rapidly  and  the  patient  was  free  from  sym- 
toms  for  1  year.  In  1908  he  again  had  hematuria,  but  a  cystoscopic  ex- 
amination by  Dr.  Abbe  showed  no  growth.  The  blood  disappeared  after 
administering  gallic  acid. 

The  following  year,  a  return  of  the  hematuria  led  him  to  consult 
Dr.  Charles  A.  Powers,  of  Denver,  near  which  city  he  was  then  re- 
siding, and  Dr.  Powers  reported  to  Dr.  Abbe  on  the  case  at  that  time, 
December  8,  1909,  as  follows: 

Mr.  J.  S.  B.  consulted  me  December  6th,  regarding  a  recent  recurrence  of 
bladder  hemorrhage.  I  learn  of  your  operation  for  the  removal  of  a  growth 
in  June  of  1905,  of  your  application  of  radium  in  December,  1907,  of  the 
slight  bleeding  through  the  winter  of  1907-08,  this  controlled  by  capsules  of 
gallic  acid.  Also  of  your  further  examination  and  good  report  in  December, 
1908.  Mr.  B.  seems  to  have  gone  on  without  definite  symptoms  until  a  re- 
turn of  hemorrhage  during  this  past  month.  Of  this  he  will  doubtless  give 
you  a  detailed  history.  He  consulted  me  in  order  to  ascertain,  if  possible, 
whether  it  is  now  best  for  you  to  see  him  in  New  York.  I  told  him  that  1 
could  give  no  opinion  without  a  complete  cystoscopic  examination,  and  this 
was  made  yesterday  morning. 

Mr.  B.  presents  no  symptoms  whatever,  excepting  hematuria.  He  has 
no  evidence  of  cystitis,  he  does  not  arise  at  night  to  urinate,  the  bladder 
capacity  is  good.  Urination  is  not  painful,  there  is  no  residual  urine,  there 
is  only  occasional  slight  staining  of  the  clothing  from  the  meatus.  The 
prostate  is  but  very  slightly  enlarged,  its  consistency  is  good,  it  is  not  tender. 

A  cystoscopic  examination  was  made  by  Dr.  Lyons  and  myself  yester- 
day morning.  The  bladder  wall  presents  a  typically  healthy  appearance. 
We  did  not  learn  the  site  of  your  operation,  but  there  seemed  to  be  evidence 
of  a  scar  a  little  above  and  to  the  right  of  the  base  of  the  trigone.  Just 
back  of  the  trigone  and  about  in  the  midline,  there  is  a  reddish  area  less 
than  one-half  inch  in  diameter.  This  area  is  not  ulcerated.  It  was  not 
bleeding  at  the  time  of  the  examination,  even  when  rubbed  with  the  end 
of  the  cystoscope. 

There  was  a  slight  hemorrhage  coming  from  the  right  side  of  the  pros- 
tatic urethra,   little  flakes  of  blood   fell  from  this  area,  and  the  membrane 


PAPILLOMA  OF  THE  BLADDER  103 

here  was  a  bit  raised.  I  judge  that  all  portions  of  the  bladder  were  thor- 
oughly examined;  at  the  end  of  the  35  minutes  the  bladder  solution  was 
not  at  all  discolored. 

Dr.  Lyons  and  I  think  it  probable  that  the  bleeding  comes  from  the  pros- 
tatic urethra.  Urine  was  seen  coming  from  the  orifice  of  the  left  ureter ; 
we  could  not  be  certain  of  this  on  the  right  side.  The  ureters  were  not 
catheterized.     The  patient  has  no  kidney  symptoms. 

Mr.  B.  is  in  excellent  general  condition;  his  weight  and  strength  are  good; 
he  presents  no  other  symptoms  than  the  hematuria.  He  will  send  this  letter 
to  you,  and  you  will  advise  him.  The  condition  seems  to  be  splendid,  in 
view  of  the  removal  of  a  growth  in  1905. 

The  hematuria  was  again  controlled  by  gallic  acid,  and  did  not 
again  appear  until  June,  1911,  when  a  slight  tinging  of  the  urine  was 
noticed  by  the  patient.  This  color  became  deeper,  and  he  again  con- 
sulted Dr.  Powers,  who  cystoscoped  the  patient,  with  Dr.  Lyons.  Their 
report,  June  25,  1911,  is  as  follows: 

The  bladder  held  with  little  or  no  pain  about  12  ounces  of  fluid;  the 
right  ureteral  opening  was  found  presenting  a  normal  appearance,  also  the 
superior  posterior  wall  of  the  bladder  and  the  trigone;  the  left  ureter  was 
found  a  little  puffy  and  edematous,  blood  was  noticed  coming  from  around 
the  opening,  but  on  passing  a  catheter,  the  urine  from  the  left  kidney  was 
found  to  be  clear;  there  was  found  situated  a  little  above  and  to  the  outside 
of  the  left  ureteral  opening  a  smooth,  white,  heavily  stocked  growth,  the 
size  of  a  hickory  nut,  a  slight  congestion  and  edema  of  the  bladder  wall 
surrounded  the  tumor,  but  no  indurations  could  be  detected. 

From  June  25,  1911,  to  October  17,  1911,  the  patient  passed  blood 
very  frequently.  There  was  no  pain  accompanying  urination,  or  at 
other  times,  but  an  irritation  and  sensation  of  an  incomplete  emptying 
of  the  bladder. 

I  saw  the  patient  with  Dr.  Abbe  on  October  17,  1911.  He  was  then 
in  excellent  general  health.  There  was  slight  frequency  of  urination, 
a  good  stream,  no  pain,  and  but  slight  irritation  about  the  vesical  neck. 
There  was  a  tinge  of  blood  in  the  last  of  the  urine  passed.  Eectal 
examination  showed  enlarged  prostate,  but  the  remainder  of  the  phys- 
ical examination  was  negative. 

A  cystoscopic  examination  was  made,  with  the  following  results : 

The  cystoscope  entered  the  bladder  without  difficulty  or  discomfort  to  the 
patient.  The  urine  evacuated  from  the  bladder  was  pale  and  clear.  There 
was  no  blood  in  it,  in  contradistinction  to  that  passed  by  voluntary  urination, 
where  the  last  contraction  of  the  bladder,  in  emptying  itself,  caused  a  very 
slight  hemorrhage.  The  bladder  was  filled  and  held  10  ounces  of  fluid  with- 
out discomfort.  An  examination  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bladder 
showed  a  smooth,  grayish,  glistening  surface,  throughout  the  fundus,  with 
the  exception  of  2  areas.     The  blood  vessels  were  slightly  congested.     The 


104  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

first  of  the  2  areas  above  mentioned  was  located  posteriorly  and  to  the 
outer  side  of  the  right  ureteral  orifice.  This  area,  about  1  cm.  in  diameter, 
was  paler  than  the  surrounding  mucous  membrane,  devoid  of  blood  vessels, 
and  resembled  scar  tissue.  This  was  apparently  the  site  of  the  original 
growth,  and  the  first  recurrence.  The  second  abnormal  area  was  in  a  sim- 
ilar position  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  bladder.  Here  was  found  a  growth 
about  2x/o  x  iy2  cm.  in  size.  The  growth  was  grayish  in  color,  villous,  and 
fairly  solid  in  appearance.  On  first  sight,  it  appeared  to  surround  the  left 
ureteral  orifice,  but  a  pedicle  was  later  observed.  The  mucous  membrane 
about  the  growth  was  edematous.  The  urine  coming  from  the  ureteral  ori- 
fice was  clear.  The  growth  could  be  made  to  bleed  by  touching  it  with  the 
cystoscope. 

The  prostate  gland  was  moderately  enlarged,  and  the  vessels  on  its  sur- 
face congested.  The  right  ureteral  orifice  was  normal  in  appearance  and 
functionated  regularly,  clear  urine  being  emitted. 

The  area  of  the  trigone  was  negative. 

October  18,  1911.— Through  an  indirect  catheterizing  cystoscope  the  in- 
sulated wire  from  the  high  frequency  machine  was  passed  into  the  bladder 
and  made  to  impinge  the  growth.  Four  applications  of  30  seconds  each 
were  made  to  the  growth,  which  became  charred  and  gray  and  rapidly  dis- 
integrated. The  operation  gave  the  patient  no  pain.  Following  the  appli- 
cation the  urine  was  tinged  with  blood  for  3  days,  but  there  was  no  dis- 
comfort. 

November  3,  1911.— Cystoscopic  examination  showed  the  central  area  of 
the  growth  destroyed,  and  a  gray  spot,  1  cm.  by  1  cm.,  to  the  outer  and 
posterior  aspect  of  the  left  ureter.  Above  and  below  this  spot  was  a  small 
nodule  of  growth,  soft,  villous,  and  not  bleeding.  The  mucous  membrane 
about  the  ureteral  orifice  was  edematous.  Clear  urine  came  from  the  open- 
ing.    Remainder  of  the  bladder  as  when  first  examined. 

November  16,  1911.— There  is  much  less  edema  of  the  mucous  membrane 
about  the  site  of  the  growth.  A  soft,  villous,  reddish  growth  the  size  of  a 
pea  has  appeared  high  up  on  the  left  lateral  wall  of  the  bladder  since  the 
last  cystoscopy.  The  high  frequency  current  was  applied  to  this  and  to  the 
small  nodules  at  the  margin  of  the  left  ureter,  for  iy2  minutes  each. 

November  20,  1911.— Cystoscopy  showed  that  the  new  growth  on  the  lat- 
eral wall,  high  up,  had  disappeared.  One  of  the  nodules  about  the  left 
ureteral  orifice  had  disappeared,  and  the  second  was  so  small  as  to  be 
scarcely  visible.  There  was  less  surrounding  edema  than  after  the  first  ap- 
plication of  the  current. 

November  27,  1911.— Cystoscope  passed  for  the  purpose  of  making  one 
more  application  of  the  high  frequency  current,  but  examination  showed 
that  the  bladder  wall  was  everywhere  normal,  no  vestige  of  a  growth  being 
visible. 

December  3,  1911.— Patient  states  that  he  has  been  perfectly  comfortable, 
and  left  for  his  home  in  the  West. 

This  case  is  reported  primarily  to  show  the  results  of  the  treat- 
ment of  the  tumor  with  the  high  frequency  current. 


PAPILLOMA  OF  THE  BLADDER  105 

Two  applications,  an  aggregate  of  3y2  minutes  of  contact  with  the 
current,  destroyed  the  growth,  first  seen  about  the  left  ureteral  orifice. 

One  application  of  iy2  minutes  destroyed  the  small  growth  on  the 
lateral  wall. 


Fig.  1. — Cross-section  of  bladder,  showing  position  of  recurrence;  also 
small  growth  in  fundus,  which  appeared  between  treatments,  and  was  destroyed 
by  one  application  of  the  high-frequency  current. 

The  treatment  was  painless,  and  followed  by  no  uncomfortable  or 
serious  consequences.  There  was  no  resulting  ulceration,  and  but 
slight  bleeding  after  the  application  of  the  current. 

This  method  of  treatment  of  benign  papillomata  is  simpler  than 
any  other,  and  in  this  case,  as  in  others  reported,  is  quite  as  effectual. 
There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  growth  will  not  recur,  but 
recurrence  is  the  rule  after  removal  by  any  method. 


BILATERAL  STRICTURE  OF  THE  URETERS. 
Henry  G.  Bugbee,  M.D. 

Mrs.  H.,  33  years,  married.  Family  and  past  history  to  1897  negative. 
At  this  time  she  was  operated  upon  for  double  pyosalpinx  and  both  tubes 
and  ovaries  were  removed.  Following  this  operation  she  developed  dull  pains 
in  the  lumbar  region  of  the  back  on  either  side  and  severe  pain  in  the  pelvic 
region.  In  1907  she  was  operated  upon  for  pelvic  adhesions  and  a  second 
operation  for  the  same  cause  was  performed  later  in  the  year.  There  was 
little  relief  from  the  lumbar  pains. 

In  1908  a  third  operation  for  a  pelvic  tumor.  The  pain  in  the  lumbar 
region  has  continued.  Urination  has  been  more  frequent  by  day;  once  or 
twice  at  night.  Slight  burning  at  the  end  of  urination.  No  blood  or  cloud 
in  urine. 

November  1,  1911.  Chief  Complaints.— Frequency  of  urination,  pain  in 
each  lumbar  region  of  the  back. 

Physical  Examination.— Medium  frame.  Well  nourished.  Good  color. 
Chest,  negative.  Abdomen:  There  is  a  scar  4  inches  long  in  the  lower, 
median  line  of  the  abdomen.  Also  one  2  inches  to  either  side  of  it.  There 
is  a  slight  bulging  of  the  median  scar  when  the  patient  coughs.  Each  kidney 
can  be  palpated,  is  tender,  but  not  perceptibly  enlarged.  Liver  and  Spleen: 
not  felt ;  no  masses  or  other  points  of  tenderness. 

Vaginal  Examination.— Uterus  normal  size  and  position.  Analysis  of  24- 
hour  specimen  of  urine  was  negative.  Cystoscopic  examination  shows  a 
normal  bladder. 

The  right  ureteral  orifice  was  slightly  edematous,  the  left  normal.  Each 
shows  very  slight  contraction  when  functionating.  No  swirl  of  urine  could 
be  observed  coming  from  either. 

A  catheter  entered  the  orifice  on  either  side,  but  was  arrested  3  cm.  from 
the  bladder  on  the  left  side  and  4%  cm.  from  the  bladder  on  the  right  side. 
Other  catheters  were  substituted,  but  none  would  advance  beyond  these 
points  of  constriction.  A  filiform  was  passed  through  the  constriction  and 
on  to  either  kidney.  The  feeling  conveyed  by  the  filiform  was  that  of  grip- 
ping rather  than  encountering  an  obstruction.  The  condition  was  that  of  a 
stricture  of  each  ureter. 

The  catheters  placed  in  either  ureter,  low  down,  allowed  a  separation  of 
the  urine  from  the  kidneys.  The  dropping  of  the  urine  was  not  in  four  or 
five  drops,  then  a  pause,  but  was  very  slow  and  regular.  The  urine  was 
clear. 

106 


Fig.  1. — The  ureteral  catheters  show  the  point  of  constriction  in  either 
ureter.  The  inability  to  distend  fully  the  pelves  and  calices  of  the  kidneys  is 
also  shown. 


Fig.  2. — The  ureteral  catheter  on  the  right  side  is  seen,  having  passed 
through  the  stricture.  The  left  ureteral  catheter  is  not  clearly  defined,  but 
both  kidneys  are  distended.     The  left  kidney,  pelvis  and  calices  are  dilated. 


BILATERAL  STRICTURE  OF  THE   URETERS  107 

Following  the  examination,  the  patient  had  a  sharp  attack  of  pain 
in  either  kidney  region,  resembling  renal  colic.  This  lasted  several 
hours,  and  subsided. 

November  14,  1911.— The  cystoscope  was  again  introduced  and  an  attempt 
made  to  catheterize  the  ureters,  but  the  same  obstruction  was  encountered. 
Filiforms  were  passed  as  before,  followed  by  olivary  bougies,  sizes  2  and  3  F. 
There  was  no  pain  following  the  stretching,  but  some  relief  of  the  old  pain 
in  the  back  with  less  frequency  of  urination. 

November  23,  1911.— It  was  possible  to  pass  a  No.  5  F.  catheter  through 
the  constriction  of  the  right  ureter  and  the  flow  of  urine  from  the  catheter 
was  rapid.  The  catheter  was  obstructed  3  cm.  from  the  bladder  on  the 
left  side.    Dilatation  was  carried  out  as  on  the  previous  occasions. 

December  1,  1911.— Catheters  were  passed  up  the  right  ureter  to  the  pelvic 
brim,  and  in  the  left  but  3  cm.  Argyrol  injections  of  the  ureters  and  kidneys 
were  made  (40%  Argyrol  in  2%  boric  acid).  Six  c.c.  in  the  right  and  4  c.c.  in 
the  left.  There  was  slight  pain  in  either  kidney  following  the  injection. 
The  patient  stated  that  this  pain  was  exactly  like  the  pain  which  she  had 
previously  suffered.  X-ray  pictures  were  taken  which  show  the  point  of 
stricture  in  either  ureter,  that  in  the  left  being  lower  down.  There  is  a 
slight  dilatation  of  the  pelvis  of  the  left  kidney. 

December  12,  1911.— It  is  possible  to  pass  a  No.  5  F.  catheter  to  either 
kidney.  Patient  has  very  little  of  the  old  pain  and  but  slight  frequency  of 
urination. 

December  19,  1911.— Ureters  again  dilated  and  catheters  passed.  No.  5  F. 
catheters  to  both  kidneys. 

December  27,  1911.— Catheters  passed  beyond  stricture  of  either  ureter 
and  Argyrol  injections  made.  The  Argyrol  passed  to  the  kidneys  easily, 
allowed  a  dilatation  of  the  kidney  pelvis,  and  the  patient  had  a  slight  renal 
colic  on  either  side. 

The  X-ray  photograph  shows  the  ureters  to  be  open  throughout 
their  extent  and  a  dilatation  of  the  pelvis  of  the  left  kidney. 

The  condition  is  stricture  of  either  ureter,  caused  by  an  inflamma- 
tion in  the  ureteral  wall,  probably  from  the  same  cause  as  the  tubal 
infection.  It  is  analogous  to  a  urethral  stricture  and  may  be  treated  in 
the  same  manner.  A  relief  of  the  urinary  symptoms  and  diminution 
of  the  renal  pain  have  followed  the  dilatation  of  the  strictures,  and 
show  the  possibilities  of  conservative  treatment.  This  dilatation  can, 
in  all  probability,  be  carried  up  to  No.  8  or  10  F.,  and  the  stretching 
done  less  frequently. 

The  process  of  slow  dilatation  has  given  the  patient  no  pain  or 
inconvenience,  and  seems  to  be  justified  in  every  case  where  a  stricture 
can  be  diagnosed. 

Kelly,  in  the  Journal  of  American  Medical  Association,  August  16, 


108  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

1902,  reports  several  cases  treated  in  this  manner.  The  symptoms  in 
his  cases  were  similar  to  the  above.  He  states  that  the  diagnosis  is 
seldom  made,  and  that  the  majority  of  cases  are  treated  for  hydro- 
nephrosis. Strictures  are  rarely  bilateral,  usually  found  in  the  pelvic 
ureter,  and  are  caused  most  frequently  by  a  gonorrheal  or  tubercular 
inflammation. 

The  symptoms  are  those  of  vesical  and  renal  inflammation.  The 
ureters  can  often  be  palpated  through  the  vaginal  wall. 

The  ureteral  orifice,  through  the  cystoscope,  appears  swollen,  may  be 
ulcerated,  the  opening  is  often  obscured,  may  be  a  dimple,  or  indicated 
only  by  radiating  lines. 

Urine  usually  flows  freely  after  passing  a  catheter  through  the 
stricture. 

Kelly  has  found  dilatation  the  ideal  treatment,  except  in  tubercu- 
losis. 

Other  methods  of  treatment  are  ureteral  catheterization  and  irri- 
gation, freeing  of  adhesions,  resection  of  the  ureter,  extirpation  of  the 
tract,  and  transplantation. 


Medical  Service 


MEDICAL  STATISTICS  FOE   1911 


DISEASES    DUE   TO    MICRO-ORGANISMS 


INFECTIVE   DISEASES 


Sex 

Results 

•o 

0) 

•o 

o 

0) 

0> 

B 

■d 

0) 

> 

o 
u 
a 

a 

a 

"O 

3 

| 

a 

s 

Ek 

u 

p 

P 

Cerebrospinal  fever 

Diphtheria 

Dysentery  (amoebic) 

Dysentery   (amoebic),  bronchitis,  polycythemia. 

Enteric  fever,  intestinal  hemorrhage 

Erysipelas 

Filiariasis,  chyluria 

Gonococcus  arthritis  of  elbow 

Gonococcus  arthritis  of  knee 

Gonococcus  arthritis,  pregnancy 

Gonococcus  arthritis,  urethritis 

Influenza 

Influenza,  otitis  externa 

Malaria   

Malaria   (tertian) 

Rheumatism  (subac.  artic. ) 

Rheumatism  (subac.  artic),  cardiac  arrhythmia 
Rheumatism  (subac.  artic),  mitral  insufficiency 
Rheumatism     (subac.     artic),     retroversion     of 

uterus,  nephritis,  cardiac  hypertrophy 

Rheumatism   (subac  artic),  strongyloides  intes- 

tinalis 

Rheumatism   (ac.  art.) 

Rheumatism    (ac.   art.),   bronchitis,    emphysema, 

nephritis,   uremia 

Rheumatism  (ac  art.),  carcinoma  of  gall  bladder 

Rheumatism  (ac  art.),  herpes  zoster 

Rheumatism   (ac  art.),  lymphangitis 

Rheumatism   (ac  art.),  mitral  and  aortic  insuffi 

ciency 

Rheumatism  (ac.  art.),  mitral  insufficiency 

Rheumatism  (ac  art.),  mitral  stenosis,  fibrinous 

pericarditis 

Rheumatism  (ac.  art.),  nephritis 

Rheumatism  (ac  art.),  pericarditis 

Rheumatism   (ac  art.),  pericarditis   (fibrinous), 

lobar  pneumonia 

Rheumatism    (ac.    art.),    regurgitation    (mitral), 

pericarditis   (fibrinous) 

Syphilis  (secondary) 

Syphilis  (secondary),  multiple  alcoholic  neuritis 

Syphilis  (tertiary) 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  aortic  aneurysm 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  aortic  insuff.,  aortitis.... 
Syphilis    (tertiary),    aortitis,    mitral    and   aortic 

insufi*.,  cardiac  decompensation 

Syphilis   (tertiary),  aortitis,  tabes  dorsalis,  chr 

nephritis,  cirrhosis  of  liver 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  cerebral  endarteritis,  throm 

bosis 

Syphilis    (tertiary),   gumma  of  post-pharyngeal 

walls,  keratitis 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  gumma  of  spinal  cord 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  hepatitis 

Ill 


24 


112 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


DISEASES  DUE  TO  MICRO-ORGANISMS— 
Continued 


Infective    Diseases — Cont. 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  hepatitis,  aneurysm  of  arch 
of  aorta 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  periosteitis  of  cranium 

Syphilis  (tertiary),  periosteitis  of  femur 

Syphilis  (cerebral) 

Syphilis  (cerebral),  hemorrhage  into  cerebrum.. 

Syphilis  (cerebral),  lobar  pneumonia 

Tuberculosis  of  axillary  glands,  tbc.  fibrosis  of 
lungs  and  pleurae 

Tbc.  of  chest  wall 

Tbc.  of  kidney 

Tbc.  of  kidney  and  bladder 

Tbc.  of  knee  joint 

Tbc.  of  lungs 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  arterio-sclerosis,  chr.  nephritis. .  . . 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  bronchitis 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  diabetes  mellitus,  hydropneumo 
thorax,  gangrene  of  lung 

Tbc.  of  lung,  gastritis,  cirrhosis  of  liver 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  lobar  pneumonia 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  ischio-rectal  abscess 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  nephritis 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  pernicious  anemia,  arterio-sclerosis 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  pleurisy  with  effusion 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  pneumothorax 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  enteritis 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  fistula  in  ano 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  of  larynx 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  of  larynx,  aortic  regurgitation 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  meningitis 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  of  spine,  bronchitis,  fibrinous 
pleurisy 

Tbc.  of  lungs,  tbc.  of  spine,  tachycardia 

Tbc.  of  hip 

Tbc.  of  peritoneum 

Tbc.  of  pleura 

Tbc.  of  spine 

Tbc.  of  spine,  tbc.  of  lungs,  tachycardia 

Tbc.  meningitis 

Tbc.  meningitis,  chr.  nephritis 

Tuberculosis  (miliary),  tbc.  peritonitis,  nephritis 

Typhoid  fever 

Typhoid  fever  with  hemorrhages 

Typhoid  fever  with  relapse 

Typhoid  fever,  bronchitis 

Typhoid  fever,  broncho-pneumonia 

Typhoid  fever,  ischio-rectal  abscess 

Typhoid  fever,  laryngitis  (ac.) 

Typhoid  fever,  mitral  and  aortic  insuff 

Typhoid  fever,  otitis  media 

Typhoid  fever,  periosteitis 

Typhoid  fever,  phlebitis 

Typhoid  fever,  pulmonary  embolism 

Typhoid  fever,  pneumothorax,  cholecystitis 

Typhoid  fever,  pyelitis 

Typhoid  fever,  peritonitis,  ac.  catarrhal  cholecys- 
titis   

Typhoid  fever  (para-typhoid) 

Typhoid  meningitis 


ALIMENTARY    SYSTEM 


INTESTINES 


Colitis 

Colitis  (ulcerative) 

Colitis  (ulcerative),  bronchitis 

Colitis  (ulcerative),  ethmoiditis 

Constipation,  arterio-sclerosis 

Constipation,   mitral  stenosis  and  insuff.,  aortic 
insuff 


166 


189 


171 


1 
2 
1 

34 

"2 


128 


23 


18 

1 


53 


MEDICAL  STATISTICS— 1911 


113 


ALIMENTARY    SYSTEM— Continued 

<5 

a 
fa 

U 

a 

a 

a 

5 

o 
H 

Intestines — Cont. 

1 

1 

'    2 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

2 

1 

2 

3 

Entero-colitis 

1 

Enteroptosis,  hyperchlorhydria,  pyloric  stenosis. 
Enteroptosis,    retroversion    of    uterus,    constipa- 
tion  (chr. ) 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

i 

3 
3 

1 
1 

Gastro-enteritis 

2 

1 
1 

1 

3 

Ileus 

1 

Ileus,  aortic  and  mitral  insuff.,  aortic  stenosis. .  . 

1 
1 

1 

i 

6 

2 
1 

1 

LIVER 

8 
1 

16 

1 
1 
5 
4 

1 
1 

"  i 
1 

'  i 
l 
l 

8 
.  .  ._. 

7 

.  .  ... 

6 
3 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1 
1 
1 

1 

'  i 
l 

l 

24 

2 

1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver 

5 

1 
1 

10 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  alcoholic  peripheral  neuritis , 
Cirrhosis  of  liver,   alcoholic   psychosis 

4 
1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  arthritis    (ac),   ascites,   myo- 
carditis   

1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  ascites,  cardiac  dilatation,  ne- 

1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  catarrhal   gastritis 

1 
1 

1 

2 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  hematemesis 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  hemorrhoids,  mitral  insuff 
Cirrhosis  of  liver,  fistula  in  abdominal  wall... 

1 
1 
1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,   intestinal   hemorrhages,   alco- 
holic delirium 

1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  Korsikoff's  psychosis 

1 

1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver,  mitral  regurgitation 

1 

1 

Cirrhosis  of  liver   (hepatic),  secondary  anemia. 

1 

1 

BILE    PASSAGES 

Catarrhal  jaundice 

12 

18 
1 

'  '4 

i 
i 
i 
i 

9 
1 

'  i 

2 

1 

1 
1 

22 

4 

3 

30 
1 

1 
1 

1 

Cholelithiasis,  biliary  colic 

5 
1 
2 

1 

5 

1 

Cholelithiasis,  cholecystitis 

2 

1 

1 
1 

3 

Cholelithiasis,  goiter,  hypochlorhydria 

1 

Stenosis  of  bile  duct  (congenital),  icterus 

1 

9 

MOUTH,    TBBTH    AND    GUMS 

4 

2 

1 
.  .  ._. 

2 

1 

13 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

Stomatitis  (mercurial),  ac.  nephritis 

OESOPHAGUS 

2 
1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

4 
1 

PANCREAS 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

I 

1 

1 

1 

PERITONEUM,  ETC. 

1 

i 

2| 

1 
1 
1 

Subphrenic  abscess 

1 

1 

2 

l| 

3 

114 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


ALIMENTARY   SYSTEM— Continued 


PHARYNX,     TONSILS     AND     NASOPHARYNX 


Abscess    (peritonsillar.) 

Pharyngitis 

Quinzy 

Tonsillitis   

Tonsillitis,  pharyngitis 

Tonsillitis   (follicular) 

Tonsillitis  (follicular),  stomatitis 

Tonsils  (bypertrophied),  phimosis,  sciatica. 


RECTUM 

Fecal  fistula,  mitral  and  aortic  insufficiency.... 
Hemorrhoids,  epididymo-orchitis,  empyema  of  tu- 
nica vaginalis 

Hemorrhoids  (internal) 


STOMACH 


Anacidity,  fracture  of  rib 

Atony,  hyperchlorhydria,  senile  dementia 

Dilatation  

Dyspepsia 

Dyspepsia  (nervous) 

Dyspepsia  (nervous),  anacidity 

Gastritis  (alcoholic 

Gastritis   (alcoholic),   catarrhal  jaundice,   mitral 

and  aortic  insufficiency 

Gastritis  (alcoholic),  multiple  neuritis,  tbc.  of  face 

Gastritis   (acute.) 

Gastritis  (acute),  mitral  stenosis 

Gastritis  (chronic) 

Gastritis  (chronic),  hyperacidity 

Gastritis  (chronic),  neurasthenia 

Gastroptosis    

Hyperchlorhydria 

Hyperchlorhydria,  gastritis 

Hyperchlorhydria,  gastroptosis 

Hypochlorhydria 

Hypochlorhydria,  insomnia 

Hypochlorhydria,  senile  atrophy  of  stomach 

Stenosis  of  pylorus  of  stomach 

Stenosis  of  pylorus  of  stomach,  gastric  dilatation, 

cardio-spasm 

Ulcer  of  stomach 

Ulcer  of  stomach,  cystic  kidney 

Ulcer  of  stomach,  pyloric  stenosis 


VERMIFORM    APPENDIX 


Appendicitis  (chronic) 

Appendicitis  (chr. ),  catarrhal  gastritis. 

Appendicitis  (acute)  with  abscess 

Appendicitis  (acute)  with  peritonitis... 
Appendicular  colic 


CARDIO-VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

BLOOD 


Anemia   (pernicious.) 

Anemia  (secondary) 

Anemia  (secondary),  nervous  exhaustion.. 

Anemia  ( simple) 

Anemia  (splenic) 

Chlorosis 

Chlorosis,  influenza,  otitis  media 

Chlorosis,  mitral  stenosis  and  insufficiency. 
Leukemia   (lymphatic) 


17 


38 


6 
2 

'    9 

1 
17 

1 


36 


22 


35 


6 

2 
1 
9 
1 
17 
1 
1 

38 


1 

1 
1 
7 
2 
1 
3 

1 
1 
6 
1 
10 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 

1 
9 
1 

1 

61 


MEDICAL  STATISTICS— 1911 


115 


CARDIOVASCULAR  SYSTEM— Continued 


Blood— Cont. 


Leukemia  (myelogenous) 

Leukemia   (lymphatic),    herpes    zoster,    broncho- 
pneumonia, mitral  insufficiency 

Pseudoleukemia,  suppuration  of  axillary  glands. 


ARTERIES 


Aneurysm  of  aorta 

Aneurysm  of  aorta,  aortitis,  aortic  insufficiency, 
arterio-sclerosis,  ac.  art.  rheumatism 

Aneurysm  of  aorta,  cholelithiasis,  nephritis 

Aneurysm  of  aorta  (ruptured),  arterio-sclerosis 
nephritis 

Aneurysm  of  aorta  (ruptured),  broncho-pneumo- 
nia, emphysema 

Aneurysm  of  iliac  and  femoral  arteries 

Aneurysm  of  innominate  artery 

Arterio-sclerosis 

Aneurysm  of  aorta  (ruptured),  hemothorax,  sero- 
fibrinous pleurisy,  lobar  pneumonia 

Arterio-sclerosis,  bronchitis  (acute) 

Arterio-sclerosis,  constipation  (chr. ) 

Arterio-sclerosis,  emphysema,  myocarditis 

Arterio-sclerosis,  emphysema,  senility 

Thrombosis  of  cervical  arteries,  paralysis  of 
pharynx 

Ventricular  hemorrhage 

Embolism  (cerebral),  rheumatic  endocarditis.  . .  . 

Embolism  (coronary),  mitral  and  aortic  insuff. 
mitral  stenosis 


18 


Thrombosis  of  innominate  vein,  pyelitis 

Thrombosis  of  popliteal  vein,   varicose  veins  of 
legs 


Angina  pectoris  (  ?),  mitral  and  aortic  insuff.  .  .  . 

Dilatation,  cardiac  hypertrophy,  mitral  and 
aortic  insuff.,  mitral  stenosis 

Dilatation,    mitral    stenosis,    aortic    insuff 

Endocarditis   (chr.) 

Dilatation   (acute),  hydrothorax,  pneumonia.... 

Endocarditis  (septic) 

Endocarditis  (septic),  cerebral  embolism 

Endocarditis  (septic),  emphysema,  mitral  steno- 
sis and  insuff 

Endocarditis  (septic),  mitral  stenosis,  aortic  in- 
suff.,  sero-fib.   pleurisy 

Endocarditis  (septic),  mitral  and  aortic  insuff.. 

Endocarditis  (rheumatic),  aortic  regurgitation.. 

Endocarditis  (rheumatic),  pregnancy 

Endocarditis  (rheumatic),  terminal  pneumonia.  . 

Fatty  heart,  sclerosis  of  coronary  arteries 

Myocardial  degeneration,  arterio-sclerosis,  chronic 
nephritis 

Myocardial  degeneration,  fatty  degeneration  of 
liver 

Myocarditis 

Myocarditis,   aortic    stenosis 

Myocarditis,  arterio-sclerosis,    emphysema 

Myocarditis,   arterio-sclerosis,  hydrothorax 

Myocarditis,  decompensation 

Myocarditis,  endocarditis,  angina  pectoris 

Myocarditis,  nephritis 

Myocarditis,  osteo-arthritis  of  hip 

Myocarditis,  polycythemia,   cardiac  insuff 


13 


12 


11 


12 


116 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


CARDIOVASCULAR  SYSTEM— Continued 


Heart — Cont. 


Valvular  Diseases : 


Mitral  insufficiency 

Mitral   insuff.,  artic.  rheumatism 

Mitral   insuff.,  bydrothorax,    nephritis 

Mitral  insuff.,  oedema  of  luDgs 

Mitral   insuff.   and  stenosis 

Mitral   insuff.   and  stenosis,  aortic  insuff.  .  .  . 

Mitral  insuff.  and  sten.  arterio-sclerosis,  ehr. 
nephritis 

Mitral   insuff.  and  sten.,  aortic  stenosis 

Mitral   insuff.   and  sten.,  decompensation 

Mitral   insuff.   and  sten.,  pleurisy 

Mitral   and  aortic  insufficiency 

Mitral  and  aortic  insuff.,  fibrinous  pleurisy, 
inguinal  hernia 

Mitral  and  aortic  insuff.,  rheumatic  endocar- 
ditis  

Mitral  and  aortic  insuff.  and  stenosis 

Mitral  and  tricuspid  insuff.,  mitral  stenosis. 

Mitral  stenosis 

Mitral  stenosis  and  aortic  insuff 

Mitral   stenosis,  decompensation,  anasarca.  .  . 

Aortic  insufficiency,  aortitis,  hemorrhoids. .  . . 

Aortic  insuff.,  aortitis,  angina  pectoris 

Aortic  insuff.  and  stenosis,  decompensation.  . 

Aortic  stenosis 


LYMPH    GLANDS 


Ac.  lymphangitis,  lymphadenitis,  tenosynovitis. 
Supp.  lymphadenitis  of  axilla 


DUCTLESS    GLANDS 

Goitre  (simple),  hyperthyroidism,  mitral  stenosis 
and  regurgitation 

Goitre   (exophthalmic) 

Goitre  (exophthalmic),  cardiac  hypertrophy  and 
dilatation,  pneumothorax 

Elephantiasis,  abscess  of  leg 

Hodgkin's  disease 

Toxemic  hyperthyroidism 


MUSCULAR    SYSTEM 


Chr.  muscular  rheumatism.  .  .  . 

Myalgia 

Progressive  muscular  atrophy. 


NERVOUS    SYSTEM 

BRAIN 


Abscess,  eupp.  meningitis,  polycythemia 

Apoplexy   

Abscess  of  brain,  otitis  media,  mitral  stenosis. 

Apoplexy,  cerebral  thrombosis 

Apoplexy,  hemiplegia. 

Meningitis,  bulbar  paralysis,  pulmonary  tbc. . . . 

Meningitis  (pneumococcus) 

Paralysis  (facial),  hyp.  tonsils , 

Paralysis  (post-diphtheritic) 


DISEASES    OF    THE    MIND 

Mania    (acute),    bronchitis,    emphysema,    mitral 
insuff 


49 


1 
'  i 

66 

i 
l 


34 


MEDICAL  STATISTICS— 1911 


117 


NERVOUS   SYSTEM— Continued 

1> 

a 

fa 

d 

a 

5 

O 

Eh 

Diseases    of    the    Mind — Cont. 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

3 



I 
1 
1 

Paresis  (general) 

1 

NERVES 

Neuralgia  of  cranial  nerve 

1 

3 

2 
'  '    3 

'  '  '2 
2 
3 

1 

4 

' '  '2 

1 
1 
1 
1 
2 

'  '5 

1 
2 

4 
2 

Neuralgia  of  intercostal  nerve 

2 
4 

1 
1 

2 

7 

7 
1 

Neuritis    (alcoholic    multiple),    Korsikoff's    syn- 
drome, pulmonary  the 

1 

1 

'  i 

1 

1 
1 

2 
2 

1 

4 
1 

1 

10 

3 

5 

12 

2 
1 
3 

8 
2 
13 
1 
1 

2 

NERVOUS   DISEASES    OF   UNKNOWN   ORIGIN 

17 

2 
1 
3 
9 
2 
15 
1 

13 
3 

'  i 

1 

27 
5 

1 

4 

3 

9 

3 

17 

1 
1 

1 
2 

Neurasthenia,  retroversion  of  uterus 

1 

SPINAL   CORD 

7 

33 

1 
1 

2 

"2 

1 

1 

5 

31 

1 

2 
1 

1 

4 

1 
1 

2 

'  i 

40 

1 
1 
4 
1 
1 

1 
3 

1 
1 

OSSEOUS   SYSTEM 

BONES 

6 

1 

5 

1 
2 
1 
1 

1 

8 

I 
2 
1 

1 

Leontiasis  ossia,  Paget's  disease,  mitral  insuff .  .  . 

1 





4 
5 

'  'i 

5 

5 
1 
1 

5 

JOINTS 

5 

1 
1 

1 

1 

6 
2 

7 

1 

7 

REPRODUCTIVE   SYSTEM 

OVARIES    AND  TUBES 

1 

2 

PREGNANCY 

2 

1 
3 

'  '    3 

1 
1 

1 

2 

1 
3 

1 

.... 

4 

3 

.... 

4 

118 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


REPRODUCTIVE  SYSTEM — Continued 


a     p 


UTERUS  AND  FALLOPIAN  TUBES 


Dysmenorrhea 

Endometritis,  ac.  bronchitis 

Menorrhagia 

Pyosalpinx 

Pyosalpinx,  appendicitis 

Pyosalpinx,    fibroma    uteri,    broncho-pneumonia, 

fibrinous  pleurisy 

Retention  of  placenta,  septic  uterus 


RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM 


BRONCHI 


Asthma,  bronchitis 

Asthma,  emphysema 

Asthma,  erysipelas 

Asthma,  nephritis  (chr.) 

Bronchiectasis 

Bronchitis 

Bronchitis   (ac),  cardiac  incompetency 

Bronchitis   (ac),  dextracardia 

Bronchitis   (ac),  emphysema 

Bronchitis   (ac),  mitral  insufficiency 

Bronchitis   (ac),  mitral    regurgitation,    purpura 

rheumatica 

Bronchitis   (ac),  myelogenous  leukemia 

Bronchitis   (ac),  strongyloides  intestinalis 

Coryza  


Laryngitis 

Laryngitis  (catarrhal),  fibromyomata  uteri,  neu- 
rasthenia  


Abscess  of  lung  and  gangrene,  following  lobar 
pneumonia 

Emphysema   (pulmonary),  bronchitis 

Emphysema  (pul.),  bronchitis,  asthma,  paroxys- 
mal tachycardia 

Emphysema  (pul.),  bronchitis,  mitral  insuff . . . . 

Pneumonia  (broncho-) 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  arterio-sclerosis,  chr.  ne- 
phritis  

Pneumonia   (broncho-),  varicose  ulcer 

Pneumonia  (lobar) 

Pneumonia  lobar),  arterio-sclerosis,  chr.  nephri- 
tis  

Pneumonia   (lobar),  alcoholic  delirium 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  articular  rheumatism,  mitral 
insuff.,  fibrinous  pericarditis 

Pneumonia  lobar),  atresia  of  lung 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  bronchitis,  emphysema 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  fibrinous  pleurisy,  child- 
birth, dilatation  of  stomach 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  fibrinous  pericarditis,  infarct 
of  lung,  mitral  insufficiency 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  mitral  insufficiency 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  mitral  insufficiency,  infarct 
of  lung 

Pneumonia   (lobar),  oedema  of  lungs 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  cedema  of  lungs,  myocarditis, 
'chr.  nephritis 

Pneumonia   (lobar),   morphinism 

Pneumonia   (lobar),  nephritis,  hydrothorax. .  . 

Pneumonia   (lobar),  pleurisy  (dry) 

Pneumonia   (lobar),  pleurisy   (suppurative)... 


14 


10 


12 

"i 


19 


1 

29 


17 


1 

1 

15 


MEDICAL  STATISTICS— 1911 


119 


RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM— Continued 


Lungs — Cont. 

Pneumonia   (lobar),  pleurisy  with  effusion 

Pneumonia  (lobar),  streptococcic  bacteremia.. . . 
Pneumonia   (lobar,  resolution  delayed),  fibrinous 

pleurisy 

Pneumonia   (lobar,   unresolved) 

Pneumonia   (terminal),  chr.  nephritis 


Pleurisy    (dry) 

Pleurisy  (dry),  pneumonia 

Pleurisy    (fibrinous) 

Pleurisy   (fibrinous),  tachycardia 

Pleurisy   (sero-fibrinous),    retroversion,    endome- 
tritis   

Pleurisy    (suppurative) 

Pleurisy  with  effusion 

Pleurisy  with  effusion,  asthma,  bronchitis 

Pyopneumothorax    


SENSE  ORGANS 


ORGAN    OF    HEARING 


Mastoiditis    

Mastoiditis,  influenza,  otitis  media. 
Otitis  media  (suppurative) 


ORGAN    OF   VISION 


Atrophy  of  optic  nerve. 

Cataract,  diabetes 

Choroido-retinitis 

Keratitis  

Strabismus    


TEGUMENTARY   SYSTEM 

SKIN,   ETC. 

Erythema  multiforme 


URINARY   SYSTEM 


KIDNEY 


Albuminaria    

Nephritis   (acute) 

Nephritis   (chronic  interstitial) 

Nephritis   ( chr.  in. ) ,  anemia 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  appendicitis 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),    arterio-sclerosis 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  arthritis    deformans 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  anemia,    stomatitis 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  aortic   insufficiency 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  cirrhosis  of  liver 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  cirrhosis  of  liver,  cerebral 
hemorrhage 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  cirrhosis  of  liver,  parotitis, 
pericarditis,  fib.  pleurisy 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  cystitis,  dilatation,  myocar- 
dial insufficiency 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  colitis,  aortitis,  rheumatoid 
arthritis,  diphtheria 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  dry  pleurisy,  cirrhosis  of 
liver 


47 


23 


50 


17 


52 


1 

15 

1 


22 


1 
19 


13 


13 


1 
31 


10 


3 

1 

2 

1 
1 

97 


1 

5 

21 

1 
1 

40 


1 
1 
29 
2 
1 
4 
1 
1 
2 
S 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 


120 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


URINARY  SYSTEM— Continued 


Kidney — Cont. 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  emphysema,  cardiac  insuf- 
ficiency  

Nephritis   (chr.   in.),  hydrothorax 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  mitral  stenosis  and  insuffi- 
ciency  

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  myocarditis 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),   peritonitis 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  oedema  of  lungs,  lobar 
pneumonia,  myocarditis 

Nephritis   (acute),  parotitis,  status  lymphaticus 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  pleurisy  with  effusion,  car- 
diac  insufficiency 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  pulmonary  hemorrhages,  en- 
tero-colitis,  uremia 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  pulmonary  tbc,  cirrhosis 
of  liver 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  mitral  regurgitation,  hemi- 
plegia, motor  hysteria 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  uremia 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.),  uremia,  fib.  pericarditis.  . . 

Nephritis  (chr.  in.),  uremia,  mitral  and  aortic 
insuff 

Nephritis   (chr.  in.  with  acute  exacerbation) . .  . 

Nephritis  (chr.  parenchymatous) 

Nephritis   (sub-acute),  facial    paralysis 

Nephritis   (sub-acute),  hemianopsia  papillitis... 

Nephritis  sub-acute)   hemorrhage  into  pons.  . .  . 

Hydronephrosis    

Nephrolithiasis 

Pyelonephritis 

Pyelitis   

Pyonephrosis,  broncho-pneumonia 

Uremia 

Uremia  apoplexy 


Enlarged  spleen,  polycythemia. 


UBINABY    BLADDER 


Cystitis,  nephritis,  cardiac  decompensation. 
Cystitis,  urethral  stricture,  catheter  fever. . 


DISEASES  DUE  TO  ANIMAL  PARASITES 


Tapeworm  . 
Unciniarisis 


GENERAL    INJURIES 


Heat  prostration 

Smoke  inhalation 

Starvation,  psychosis,  chr.  colitis. 


LOCAL  INJURIES 


Concussion 

Incised  wound  of  hand. 


NEOPLASMS 


Carcinomatosis 

Carcinoma  of  breast,  mediastinal  metastases. 
Carcinoma  of  breast,   mitral   regurgitation,  sub- 
acute rheumatism 


54 


27 


37 


1J 


34 


1 

1 

10 
2 

1 

1 
1 


1 

1 

1 

11 

2 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
2 
8 
1 
3 
1 

109 


MEDICAL  STATISTICS— 1011 


121 


NEOPLASMS— Continued 


a 

H        P 


Neoplasms — Cont. 


Carcinoma  of  colon 

Carcinoma  of  liver  and   bile  duct 

Carcinoma  of  oesophagus 

Carcinoma  of    pancreas 

Carcinoma  of   stomach 

Carcinoma  of  stomach  and  rectum,  chr.  nephritis 

Carcinoma  of  stomach,  metastases  in  liver 

Carcinoma  of  stomach,  omental  metastases,  tabes 
dorsalis,  arterio-sclerosis 

Carcinoma  of  uterus,  anasarca,  secondary  ane- 
mia,   cardiac    insufficiency 

Cyst-adenoma  (papillary),  metastases  in  lung.  . 

Epithelioma  of  oesophagus 

Epithelioma  of  pleura,  hydrothorax 

Epithelioma  of  scalp,  chr.  nephritis,  arterio- 
sclerosis  

Exostoses  on  humerus 

Fibromyoma  of  uterus,   anemia 

Infected   arm 

Infected   finger 

Sarcoma    (retroperitoneal) 

Sarcomata  in  lumbar  region 

Tumor  of  brain 

Tumor  of  brain,  pulmonary  tuberculosis 

Tumor  of  mediastinum 

Tumor  of  abdomen 

Tumor  of  spinal  cord 


INTOXICATIONS   AND  POISONS 


EXOGENOUS     INTOXICATIONS 


Alcoholism,    acute 

Alcoholism  (chr.)  delirium  tremens 

Alcoholism   (chr.),  Korsikoff's  psychosis 

Chronic  poisoning  by  lead 

Chronic  poisoning  by  mercury 

Chronic  poisoning  by  morphine 

Chronic  poisoning  by  morphine,  aneurysm  of  iliac 

and  femoral  arteries 

Chronic  poisoning  by  veronal 

Chronic  poisoning  by  strychnine 

Acute  poisoning  by  Paris  green 

Pneumococcus  septicemia,  pulmonary  tbc 

Septicemia  following  abortion,  mitral  insuff .  .  .  . 
Streptococcic  septicemia,  imitative  meningitis. .  . 
Streptococcic  septicemia,  septic  endocarditis. .  . . 


ENDOGENOUS    INTOXICATIONS 


Auto-intoxication   

Auto-intoxication,   cardiac  arrhythmia. 

Diabetes  mellitus 

Diabetes  mellitus,  chr.  nephritis 

Diabetes  mellitus,  pulmonary  tbc 

Diabetes  mellitus,  eczema 

Diabetes  mellitus,  lobar  pneumonia.  .  . . 
Gout 


MISCELLANEOUS  CONDITIONS 


Debility 

Heat  stroke,  meningitis. 

Malingering 

No  diagnosis  made 


14 


18 


14 


2 


16 


13 


122 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


SUMMARY 


Micro-organic  Diseases. . 

Alimentary  System 

Cardio-vascular  System . 

Ductless  Glands 

Muscular  System 

Nervous  System 

Osseous  System 

Reproductive   System .  .  . 

Respiratory  System 

Sense  Organs 

Tegumentary  System. . . . 

Urinary  System 

Animal  Parasites 

General   Injuries 

Local   Injuries 

Neoplasms 

Intoxications 

Miscellaneous 


166 

76 

80 

3 

3 

29 

2 


189 

102 

73 

8 

7 

64 

10 

16 

95 

7 

1 

56 

2 

2 

1 

23 

18 


171 

71 

6 

1 

3 

20 

"i 

95 
2 
1 

27 
3 
3 
2 
2 

12 
1 


128 

80 

90 

7 

7 

54 

12 

11 

44 

4 

"•40 


6 

22 

2 


23 

18 
8 


13 

'  '4 

7 
6 

ii 


16 
3 
9 


53 
7 

49 
3 


33 


34 


13 

7 

1 


375 

178 

153 

11 

10 

93 

12 

16 

179 

12 

1 

112 

S 

4 

2 

37 

44 

13 


REPORT  OF  CASES  OF  HODGKIN'S  DISEASE. 
Austin  "W.  Hollis,  M.D.,  Otto  H.  Leber,  M.D.,  and  F.  C.  Wood,  M.D-. 

Case  1. — The  patient,  a  civil  engineer,  aged  31  years,  came  to  the 
hospital  September  5,  1910,  with  a  general  history  of  fever,  and 
progressive  loss  of  flesh  and  strength  extending  over  a  period  of  a 
whole  year.  In  September,  1909,  he  had  been  taken  sick  with  fever 
and  general  prostration,  but  stayed  in  bed  for  a  few  days  only,  and 
then  was  able  to  get  up  and  go  about  his  work  until  January  1.  Dur- 
ing all  this  time,  however,  he  felt  badly,  and  having  acquired  the 
habit  of  taking  his  temperature  himself,  frequently  found  that  he  had 
fever.  He  then  spent  3  months  at  home,  taking  moderate  exercise, 
but  doing  no  work.  At  this  time  he  was  thought  to  have  incipient 
tuberculosis,  and  in  April  went  to  a  boarding-house  in  Sullivan 
County,  and  then,  4  weeks  before  admission,  to  the  Loomis  Sanator- 
ium. He  thought  he  had  fever  three-fourths  of  the  time  during  the 
past  year,  but  during  the  month  of  June  there  was  a  complete  re- 
mission. 

At  the  Loomis  Sanatorium  his  temperature  ranged  from  100.8°  to 
105°.  According  to  the  patient,  he  had  a  moderate  cough  at  the 
times  he  had  fever,  and  occasionally  expectorated  a  small  quantity  of 
whitish  or  yellowish  sputum,  which  once  contained  a  clot  of  blood. 
He  thought  he  lost  about  20  pounds  in  weight.  He  had  a  number 
of  heavy  night  sweats  in  the  spring,  and  had  them  almost  nightly 
when  admitted  to  the  hospital.  His  appetite  was  poor  when  he  had 
fever;  he  had  no  epigastric  pain  or  symptoms  of  indigestion;  the 
bowels  had  moved  regularly  with  slight  catharsis,  and  he  was  never 
troubled  with  pain  anywhere. 

His  past  history  was  negative,  except  for  the  diseases  of  childhood. 
His  work  in  engineering  has  been  in  this  part  of  the  country,  mostly 
in  wet,  swampy  districts.  He  took  a  glass  of  beer  occasionally,  and 
smoked  to  excess  before  the  onset  of  his  illness. 

There  was  no  family  history  of  tuberculosis.  His  mother  died  of 
carcinoma  of  the  stomach ;  his  father  is  alive  and  well. 

123 


124 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


On  admission  to  the  hospital,  the  patient  was  moderately  pros- 
trated, and  markedly  emaciated,  the  latter  being  accentuated  by  the 
patient's  height  of  6  feet  6  inches.     The  eyes,  mouth  and  throat  ap- 

C»se  /Vo.  / 


,2<r+-..xJ-  , 


7ill<:s)n/if.r- 


0»y 
Hoar 
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10'f 
10# 
107" 

ioef 

105' 
lW 
103' 

lOSf 


»!: 


i 


fcS/4 


B 


'.ilZ 


=!!i! 


i" 


m 


101 


fi- 


ts 


i_i 


peared  normal;  the  chest  showed  very  markedly  the  great  degree  of 
emaciation ;  expansion  was  good,  and  equal  on  both  sides.  The  heart 
appeared  normal  in  size,  at  the  apex  and  over  the  pulmonic  area  there 


HODGKIN'S  DISEASE  125 

was  a  soft  systolic  murmur.  The  action  was  regular,  rapid  and  forci- 
ble. The  lungs  showed  moderate  dulness  at  both  apices.  At  the 
right  apex,  and  just  below  the  spine  of  the  scapula  were  a  few  sub- 
crepitant  rales.  The  abdomen  was  scaphoid;  the  liver  appeared  nor- 
mal in  size;  the  spleen  descended  about  2  fingers  below  the  free  bor- 
der on  inspiration.  The  right  kidney  could  easily  be  felt.  The  ex- 
tremities were  negative.  There  were  no  signs  of  any  glandular  en- 
largement, superficial  or  deep.  The  temperature  on  admission  ranged 
between  102  and  104  4/5,  pulse  about  100,  and  respirations  20  to  32. 
The  blood  count  showed  3,300,000  red  blood  cells,  with  35  per  cent 
hemoglobin;  white  blood  cells  3,400;  polynuclear  46  per  cent;  leuco- 
cytes 54  per  cent. 

A  blood  culture,  taken  a  short  time  after  admission,  showed  what 
appeared  to  be  a  short  chained  streptococcus,  and  from  this  an  auto- 
genous vaccine  was  prepared,  and  the  patient  received  increasing 
doses  with  what  appeared  to  be  excellent  results,  for  in  2  weeks  his 
temperature  had  gradually  come  down  to  normal,  and  remained  there 
for  almost  3  weeks,  when,  without  any  apparent  cause,  it  jumped  to 
103,  and  thereafter  remained  above  normal,  ranging  between  100° 
and  104°.  The  vaccine  was  discontinued  shortly  after,  as  2  subse- 
quent blood  cultures  remained  sterile. 

The  course  of  the  disease  was  uneventful,  and  marked  only  by 
progressive  asthenia,  anemia  and  emaciation,  finally  ending  fatally 
3^  months  after  admission,  on  December  18. 

In  view  of  the  findings  at  autopsy,  the  symptom  complex  presented 
was  peculiarly  confusing,  especially  from  the  standpoint  of  the  tem- 
perature course  and  the  glandular  involvement. 

The  temperature  course  in  Hodgkin's  disease  can  be  very  variable, 
as  is  well  known,  but  has  been  classified  by  Longcope1  into  3  more 
or  less  distinct  types: 

1.  Mild  and  continuous,  slightly  irregular  fever,  varying  a  few 
degrees,  rarely  going  above  101  or  102°. 

2.  Temperature  quite  irregular,  light  and  intermittent;  and 

3.  The  relapsing  type,  a  very  unusual  one,  showing  periods  of 
pyrexia  lasting  several  days  or  weeks,  and  alternating  with  similarly 
variable  periods  of  apyrexia. 

While  this  last  type  was  observed  as  far  back  as  1870  by  Murchison,2 

longcope:  Bull.  Ayer  Clin.  Lab.,  No.  1,  1903;  N.  Y.  Path.  Soc,  1908,  N. 
S.  viii,  153. 

2Murchison:  Trans,  of  the  Path.  Soc.  of  London.  1870,  xxi,  372. 


126  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

and  again  by  Pel3  4,  in  1885,  Ebstein5  in  1887,  Ruffin6  in  1906,  and 
by  a  few  others,  it  will  be  seen  from  the  scarcity  of  the  cases  that  it 
is  by  far  the  most  unusual  type,  so  much  so  that  Ebstein  considered 
the  peculiar  temperature  course  sufficient  ground  for  a  separate  clas- 
sification, and  called  the  disease  "Chronic  Relapsing  Fever." 

While  the  present  case  was  under  observation  for  only  part  of  the 
course  of  the  disease,  there  were  apparently  3  periods  of  pyrexia,  and 

2  of  apyrexia,  the  first  of  about  a  month,  the  second  lasting  almost 

3  weeks. 

The  second  and  more  unusual  phase  of  this  case  was  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  glandular  involvement.  At  no  time  in  the  course  of  the 
disease  was  there  any  enlargement  of  lymph  nodes  palpable,  and 
at  no  time  was  there  any  enlargement  of  the  deeper  nodes,  either  by 
direct  evidence,  or  by  secondary  pressure  signs.  The  patient  never 
suffered  from  any  pain  which  might  have  been  taken  as  sign  of  pres- 
sure on  any  nerve.  There  was  no  sign  of  any  pressure  upon  the 
larynx,  trachea,  bronchi  or  esophagus,  and  so  also,  no  dyspnea  or  dys- 
phagia. There  was  never  any  edema  or  evidence  of  ascites.  By  no 
physical  signs  in  the  chest  could  one  assume  the  enlargement  of  any 
bronchial  or  mediastinal  lymph  nodes,  and  no  amount  of  palpation 
could  elicit  any  enlargement  of  the  abdominal  glands.  There  have 
been  cases  of  Hodgkin's  disease  reported  in  which  the  deep  glands 
were  apparently  the  only  ones  involved,7  but  they  seem  quite  regu- 
larly, at  least  in  the  later  stages,  to  have  given  secondary  signs  of 
pressure,  so  notably  absent  here;  and  Reed,8  in  the  comprehensive 
discussion  of  the  disease,  goes  so  far  as  to  say,  "We  know  of  no  case 
where  the  pathological  anatomy  was  described  in  sufficient  detail  to 
permit  of  a  positive  diagnosis,  in  which  the  disease  commenced  else- 
where (than  in  the  cervical  region)." 

The  blood  findings  in  our  case  were  interesting.  While  at  the 
Loomis  Sanatorium,  in  August,  he  first  had  4,640,000  red  blood  cells, 
and  in  2  weeks  actually  gained  700,000.  On  September  6,  he  had 
3,332,000,  and  50  per  cent  hemoglobin.  On  September  23  he  had 
3,500,000,  and  50  per  cent  hemoglobin.     Thus,  in  spite  of  fever,  he 

3Pel:  Berliner  Klin.  Wochenschrift,  1885,  xxii. 
4Pel:  Berliner  Klin.  Wochenschrift,  1887,  xxiv. 
"Ebstein:  Berliner  Klin.  Wochenschrift,  1887,  xxiv. 
"Ruffin:  Am.  Journ.  Med.  Sciences,  1906,  cxxxi. 
7Stall:  Medical  Record,  N.  Y.,  1905,  Ixvii,  773. 
"Reed:  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  Reports,  1902,  x,  133. 


HODGKIN'S  DISEASE  127 

gained  in  red  blood  cells  and  hemoglobin,  but  this  may  have  been 
from  blood  concentration,  and  not  a  true  numerical  gain  of  cells.  The 
resistance  of  the  blood  and  general  strength  under  such  a  high  fever 
was,  however,  striking.  The  digestive  ability  was  always  good. 
Leukopenia  was  a  marked  and  constant  feature,  the  leukocytes  were 
never  higher  than  6,500,  and  more  often  were  between  3,000  and 
5,000  per  cubic  millimeter;  the  polynuclear  and  lymphocytes  were 
variable,  though  in  normal  range  proportions ;  eosinophyles  were  not 
present. 

The  clinical  picture  was  extremely  puzzling.  Dr.  O.  D.  Kingsley, 
of  White  Plains,  who  first  treated  him,  thought  of  a  tuberculous  con- 
dition. The  fever,  night  sweats  and  signs  at  the  right  apex  at  this 
period  of  his  illness  would  seem  fully  convincing,  but  8  months  later, 
under  the  observation  of  Dr.  H.  M.  King,  at  the  Loomis  Sanatorium, 
the  diagnosis  of  pulmonary  tuberculosis  was  abandoned,  and  he 
pointed  out  the  necessity  of  investigation  on  other  lines,  and  sent  him 
to  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  with  the  suggestion  that  the  spleen  was  at  the 
bottom  of  it,  and  its  removal  might  be  considered.  Under  our  in- 
vestigation a  short  chained  streptococcus  was  found  once  in  blood 
culture,  and  an  autogenous  vaccine  was  employed  with  prompt  re- 
mission of  his  fever,  followed  by  general  improvement,  but  a  return 
of  fever  after  three  weeks'  remission  without  subsequent  confirm- 
atory blood  cultures,  led  us  to  believe  that  our  previous  positive  cul- 
ture was  a  contamination. 

A  few  weeks  before  the  patient's  death,  Dr.  S.  W.  Lambert  sug- 
gested the  possibility  of  Ebstein's  variety  of  Hodgkin's  disease,  but 
prominent  clinicians,  to  the  time  of  his  death,  were  quite  in  doubt 
as  to  the  true  condition,  and  considered  the  probabilities  of  a  cryp- 
togenic septicaemia,  chronic  miliary  tuberculosis  and  multiple  sarco- 
matosis. 

That  such  cases  should  be  enigmas,  is  due  in  the  first  place,  to  their 
infrequency,  but  chiefly  to  the  poor  and  meager  description  of  their 
symptoms  found  in  the  text-books,  which  classify  them  as  a  variety 
of  Hodgkin  's  disease  without  pointing  out  their  wide  divergence  from 
the  ordinary  clinical  picture  of  that  disease.  The  number  of  cases 
reported  with  long  febrile  periods  with  more  than  one  remission, 
show  clearly  that  we  are  dealing  with  a  specific  affection  running  a 
very  definite  clinical  course.  In  the  two  cases  which  I  have  seen, 
this  one,  and  one  in  consultation  with  Dr.  Everett  W.  Gould,  periods 
of  pyrexia  and  apyrexia  alternated,  in  neither  case  were  the  super- 


128  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

ficial  lymphatic  glands  implicated,  but  moderate  splenic  enlargement, 
with  some  involvement  of  the  abdominal  and  thoracic  glands,  was  a 
feature  in  both  cases. 

This  case  resembles  most  strikingly,  both  in  its  relapsing  tem- 
perature curve,  as  well  as  in  the  absence  of  any  definable  glands,  the 
cases  reported  by  Pel  and  Ebstein,  in  1885  and  1887,  one  of  which 
had  as  many  as  9  periods  of  pyrexia,  and  which  were  considered  by 
Pel  to  be  pseudo  leucemia,  and  by  Ebstein,  a  new  clinical  entity. 

PATHOLOGICAL  REPORT  BY  F.   C.  WOOD,  M.D. 

The  body  is  that  of  an  emaciated  young  man  of  small  frame.  The 
skin  shows  a  brownish  tint.  There  is  a  decubitus  ulcer  over  the  sac- 
rum. On  the  anterior  wall,  over  the  left  costal  cartilage,  there  is  a 
small  nodule  partially  invading  the  cartilage  about  1.5  cm.  in  di- 
ameter. The  cut  surface  is  mottled  with  yellow  and  white  areas.  The 
left  pleural  cavity  contains  about  150  c.c.  of  clear,  straw-colored  fluid, 
the  right  about  100  c.c.  There  is  an  old  fibrous  adhesion  between 
the  right  lung  and  the  thoracic  wall. 

The  lungs  show  considerable  hyperstatic  fluid  and  are  deep  red  in 
the  posterior  portions.  Microscopically,  there  is  a  little  bronchial 
pneumonia.  The  right  lung  shows  a  scar  at  the  apex,  but  no  other 
evidences  of  tuberculosis.  The  bronchi  contain  a  little  thick,  mucoid 
pus. 

The  lymph  nodes  of  the  hyla  are  enlarged  to  a  considerable  mass, 
the  individual  nodes  measuring  1  to  2  cm.  in  diameter.  They  are 
very  dark  in  color  and  considerable  fluid  exudes  on  section. 

The  heart  shows  no  lesions  except  that  the  leaflets  of  the  anterior 
and  right  posterior  aortic  cusps  are  united  by  a  fibrous  nodule  about 
5  mm.  in  diameter. 

The  spleen  is  large  and  soft,  weighing  470  grams.  The  surface  is 
irregular  owing  to  the  presence  of  small  nodules  underneath  the 
peritoneum.  On  section  nodules  are  found  scattered  throughout  the 
organ.  They  are  of  opaque  yellow  color,  irregular  in  outline,  and 
measure  from  5  to  10  mm.  in  diameter.  There  is  one  nodule  which 
is  much  larger,  measuring  4  cm.,  very  soft  and  dark  red. 

The  kidneys  show  no  lesions.  The  suprarenals,  bladder,  and  other 
genito-urinary  organs  are  normal. 

The  mucous  membrane  of  the  intestine  shows  no  lymphatic  hyper- 
plasia. The  stomach  mucous  membrane  is  destroyed  by  post-mortem 
digestion. 


#<)° 


Fig.  1. — Nodule  from  liver.     Case  I. 
X  1000. 


m  * 


& 


m 


$* 


& 


Fig.  2. — Nodule  from  spleen,  sbowiug  giaut  cell.     Case  I. 
X  1000. 


HODGKIN'S  DISEASE  129 

The  mesenteric  lymph  nodes  are  moderately  enlarged,  measuring  5 
to  20  mm.  in  diameter.  They  are  pale  yellow  in  color,  firm  and  homo- 
geneous on  cut  section. 

The  liver  weighs  2,240  grams.  It  is  deep  red  in  color,  and  scat- 
tered through  the  tissue  are  a  large  number  of  yellow,  irregular 
nodules,  5  to  15  mm.  in  diameter. 

Scattered  about  the  thorax  and  abdomen  are  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  enlarged  nodes,  some  lying  along  the  aorta  and  the  esophagus, 
others  under  the  iliac  vessels  and  in  the  inguinal  region.  They  are 
rarely  above  1  cm.  in  diameter.  About  the  trachea,  however,  the 
nodes  are  considerably  enlarged,  measuring  2  to  4  cm.,  and  form  a 
nodular  mass.  The  largest  node  measures  2  to  4  cm.,  and  shows  on 
section  mottled  areas  of  yellow  and  deep  red  color.  There  were  also 
on  the  parietal  pleura  a  number  of  small,  yellowish  nodules,  which 
are  firmly  attached  to,  and  in  some  cases  extend  into,  the  substance 
of  the  ribs. 

The  thyroid  shows  no  lesions.  The  bone  marrow  of  the  femur  is 
a  deep  red  in  color  in  its  upper  third.  The  humerus  contains  red 
marrow  in  its  middle  portion.  The  marrow  of  the  lumbar  vertebrae 
is  increased  in  amount  and  very  deep  red  in  color.  The  sternum  and 
ensiform  contain  a  considerable  amount  of  reddish  marrow. 

Microscopical  Examination. — Study  of  the  bone  marrow  from  the 
femur  shows  a  hyperplasia  of  all  the  elements,  with  many  plasma 
cells  and  a  large  number  of  eosinophiles  in  the  tissue.  There  are  also 
many  areas  closely  set  with  normoblasts,  such  as  are  seen  in  the  severe 
anemias.  Megakaryocytes  are  abundant.  The  whitish  nodule  in  the 
sternal  marrow  shows  areas  of  necrosis  surrounded  by  fibrous  con- 
nective tissue,  which  contains  many  large  multinuclear  cells,  plasma 
cells,  and  numerous  eosinophiles.  The  lesions  in  the  lymph  nodes  are 
typical  of  those  of  Hodgkin's  disease ;  in  other  words,  a  fibrous  hyper- 
plasia with  disappearance  of  the  normal  lymphoid  structure  and  the 
growth  of  many  multinucleated  cells.  A  moderate  number  of  eosino- 
philes are  also  present.  A  similar  picture  is  seen  in  the  nodules  from 
the  liver.    There  were  no  evident  nodules  in  the  kidney. 

case  2. — hodgkin's  disease  complicated  with  diabetes  mellitus 
cerrhosis  of  the  liver. 

The  patient,  a  male,  of  39  years,  was  under  observation  in  the 
hospital  from  September  25,  1911,  to  October  5,  1911.  The  reason 
for  the  patient's  application  to  the  hospital  was  that  he  had  pain  in 


130 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


the  abdomen,  swelling  of  the  feet  and  legs,  and  cough.  Of  his  family 
history,  the  only  fact  of  importance  was  that  his  father  died  at  the 
age  of  72,  having  had  diabetes.  The  patient  had  been  well  until  6 
years  before  his  admission,  at  which  time  he  developed  diabetes,  but 
improved  under  treatment.     Some  3  years  ago  the  glycosuria  re- 


Case  NO....S.1  o..l  0... 


NameJTk. 

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turned,  sugar  being  present  amounting  to  about  4  per  cent  in  tie 
urine,  but  no  attention  was  paid  to  this  fact,  and  except  for  having 
lost  weight,  he  had  not  suffered  from  any  inconvenience.  He  had  not 
attempted  to  keep  up  a  strict  diet.  Four  months  ago  he  had  herpes 
zoster.  About  this  same  time  he  began  to  have  attacks  of  vomiting 
after  meals,  but  only  rejected  the  food  which  he  had  taken,  and  never 


HODGKIN'S  DISEASE 


131 


noticed  any  blood.  He  began  to  be  constipated  and  lost  weight. 
Shortly  after  it  was  noticed  that  he  was  jaundiced,  with  clay-colored 
stools  and  dark-colored  urine.  He  had  at  the  same  time  a  great  deal 
of  abdominal  pain,  but  no  acute  attacks.  The  pain  also  extended 
into  the  lumbar  region.    The  symptoms  continued  until  about  6  weeks 


Name.nk,_..;?.xr 

OcV.  -  1 9  ii 


Case  No....?. X?..'° _ 

Adflrttted.s_«..tdri*.c^^^ 


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! 

ago,  when  he  noticed  that  his  feet  and  ankles  were  swollen,  and  a  little 
later  his  abdomen  began  to  enlarge,  and  for  the  last  10  days  he  had 
not  been  able  to  walk.  He  had  an  annoying  cough  for  about  4  Weeks. 
His  shortness  of  breath  had  not  troubled  him  much. 

Physical  examination  of  the  patient  shows  that  he  is  a  fairly  well  developed, 
poorly  nourished  man,  with  considerable  jaundice  of  skin  and  sclerotic.     He 


132  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

has  moderate  dyspnea  and  is  more  comfortable  sitting  up,  but  be  is  not  cyan- 
otic. Tbe  pupils  are  equal  and  react  to  light.  Tbere  are  no  conjunctival 
hemorrhages.  A  few  small  lymph  nodes  are  palpable  in  the  neck.  Tbe  heart 
shows  only  a  faint  systolic  murmur  at  the  apex  and  soft  systolic  murmur  over 
base.  The  second  pulmonic  sound  is  accentuated.  The  pulse  is  regular  and  of 
good  force,  and  the  vessel  walls  are  not  thickened.  There  is  evidence  of  fluid 
in  the  pleural  cavity,  and  a  few  rales  can  be  heard  in  the  lung.  Tbe  abdomen 
is  moderately  distended,  there  is  edema  of  the  abdominal  wall  and  of  the  back, 
and  a  fluid  wave  is  present.  The  liver  and  spleen  are  not  palpably  enlarged. 
There  is  marked  edema  of  the  lower  extremities.  In  the  left  axilla  there  is  a 
group  of  much  enlarged  lymph  nodes. 

The  day  following  admission,  8  ounces  of  fluid  were  removed  from 
the  abdominal  cavity,  and  then  the  liver  was  found  to  be  3  inches 
below  the  costal  margin.  The  spleen  was  just  palpable.  The  urine 
was  1,024  acid,  contained  a  trace  of  albumin,  2  per  cent  of  sugar,  no 
acetone,  no  acetic  acid.  The  red  cells  were  3,900,000 ;  hemoglobin  75 
per  cent;  polynuclears  72  per  cent;  lymphocytes  28  per  cent.  The 
patient  ran  an  irregular  fever.  A  few  days  after  his  admission,  a 
lymph  node  was  removed  from  the  left  axilla,  measuring  2  x  2  x  1.5 
cm.  Microscopical  examination  showed  that  the  capsule  of  the  node 
was  intact,  but  the  reticulum  was  largely  converted  into  a  fibrous 
tissue  mass.  The  lymph  structure  was  greatly  diminished  in  extent, 
and  many  large  cells  with  5  or  6  nuclei  were  scattered  in  greater  or 
smaller  numbers  throughout  the  fibrous  tissue  meshwork.  Eosino- 
philes  were  not  found. 

The  patient's  condition  gradually  became  worse,  and  he  died  10 
days  after  admission  to  the  hospital.    An  autopsy  was  not  obtainable. 


A  CASE  OF  THROMBOSIS  OF  THE  VERTEBRAL  ARTERY. 

Henry  S.  Patterson,  M.D. 

Of  recent  years,  much  interest  has  centered  around  the  vascular 
accidents  of  the  posterior  fossa  of  the  skull  in  general,  and  of  the 
vertebral  artery  in  particular.  A  number  of  cases  of  thrombosis  of 
that  vessel  have  been  recorded  in  the  literature  of  the  subject,  but 
as  yet  the  symptomatology  is  sufficiently  undefined  to  warrant  a  report 
of  the  following  case  : 

F.  B.,  52  years  of  age,  married,  housewife.  Admitted  to  the  hospital 
May  20,  1911.     Chief  complaint,  inability  to  swallow. 

Present  Illness. — Eight  days  previous  to  admission  the  patient  became 
suddenly  faint,  and  was  obliged  to  sit  down.  When  she  attempted  to  drink, 
she  found  that  she  was  unable  to  swallow,  the  fluid  returning  through  the 
nose.  She  has  had  some  slight  numbness  of  the  right  side  of  the  face.  She 
has  had  no  pain.  She  thinks  that  her  hearing  has  not  been  good  for  the  last 
few  days.  She  has  been  gradually  growing  weaker,  and  has  been  obliged  to 
take  to  her  bed. 

Past  Illnesses. — None  but  an  attack  of  swelling  of  the  legs  and  abdomen, 
six  months  ago,  lasting  seven  weeks.  Menopause  five  years  ago.  Seven  chil- 
dren ;   no  miscarriages. 

Family  History. — Negative. 

Physical  Examination. — Large-framed,  extremely  obese  woman,  not  acutely 
ill.  Facies  alcoholic.  No  icterus.  Herpes  on  lips.  Patient  is  conscious  and 
rational,  and  speaks  without  difficulty,  and  distinctly.  She  is  quite  deaf  in 
the  right  ear.  She  is  apparently  unable  to  swallow.  The  tongue  is  dry  and 
coated,  and  does  not  deviate.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  is  normal. 
The  teeth  are  in  very  bad  condition.  The  throat  is  red  and  congested.  The 
tonsils  are  not  enlarged.  The  muscles  of  the  pharynx  and  soft  palate  are 
paralyzed  on  the  right  side.  On  phonating,  the  uvula  and  pharyngeal  wall 
move  to  the  left.  No  anesthesia  of  the  pharynx.  On  swallowing  fluid,  it 
comes  out  through  the  nose,  especially  the  left  nostril.  Very  slight  flattening 
of  the  left  naso-labial  fold.  Patient  says  that  sensation  is  more  marked  on 
the  left  than  the  right  cheek.  The  right  pupil  is  contracted;  both  react  to 
light  and  accommodation,  the  left  more  actively  than  the  right. 

Heart. — Apex  impulse  in  the  fifth  space,  12  cm.  to  the  left  of  the  mid-line. 
Left  border  percusses  13  cm.  to  the  left  of  the  mid-line.     Right  border  just 

133 


134  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

to  the  right  of  the  sternum.  Action  irregular  in  force  and  frequency.  The 
first  sound  at  the  apex  is  valvular,  and  varies  in  quality.  The  second  aortic 
is  louder  than  the  second  pulmonic.  Reduplication  of  the  second  sounds  at 
the  base  occasionally.  No  murmurs.  Pulse  is  rapid,  and  irregular  in  force 
and  frequency,  of  poor  size  and  force  with  increased  tension.  Vessel  wall  is 
palpable. 

Lungs. — Clear  front  and  back,  except  for  a  few  scattered  subcrepitant 
rales.     Breathing  diminished  over  the  bases  behind. 

Liver. — Area  of  dulness  not  enlarged ;  edge  not  felt. 

Spleen. — Area  of  dulness  not  enlarged;  edge  not  felt. 

Abdomen. — Diastasis  of  the  recti,  with  a  large  ventral  hernia,  showing 
impulse  on  coughing.  No  masses  nor  tenderness ;  no  ascites.  Many  old 
striae. 

Extremities. — No  paralysis.  Varicose  veins  over  the  lower  part  of  legs, 
with  scars  of  old  ulcers.     Slight  oedema  of  the  legs.    Knee  jerks  present. 

The  temperature  was  98°  F.  on  admission,  and  gradually  rose  until  it 
reached  105.6°  at  death,  on  May  23d. 

The  blood  pressure  ranged  from  210  to  195  mm.  of  mercury. 

Two  leucocyte  counts  gave  the  following:  16,000;  polymorphonuclears,  83 
per  cent ;  red  cells,  6,200,000 ;  haemoglobin,  100  per  cent. 

Urine :    Sp.  gr.,  1,020  to  1,022 ;  albumen,  15  to  20  per  cent.    No  casts  found. 

The  patient  gradually  became  weaker,  lapsed  into  unconsciousness  and 
coma,  the  temperature  gradually  rose,  and  death  occurred  on  the  fourth  day 
of  her  stay  in  the  hospital.  From  the  sudden  development  of  symptoms,  and 
from  the  disturbance  in  the  innervation  of  the  right  pharyngeal  muscles,  it 
was  inferred  tbat  a  hemorrhage  had  taken  place  into  the  nucleus  of  the  right 
glossopharyngeal  nerve. 


Extract  from  the  notes  taken  at  the  autopsy 


There  is  considerable  cedematous  fluid  filling  the  pial  spaces  of  the  sulci, 
which  is  most  marked  in  the  posterior  fossa.  The  right  vertebral  artery  is 
distended  to  a  diameter  of  4  mm.  by  a  thrombus  which  extends  from  a  point 
just  below  the  basilar  artery  to  the  anterior  condyloid  foramen,  and  appar- 
ently beyond.  It  occludes  the  orifice  of  the  posterior  cerebellar  artery.  On 
sectioning  the  medulla,  about  the  level  of  the  olive,  an  area  of  softening  is 
seen,  which  occupies  the  upper  right  portion  of  the  section,  and  is  about 
7  mm.  in  diameter.  It  includes  the  restiforme  body,  the  upper  portion  of  the 
olivary  nucleus  and  the  intervening  structures.  It  extends  up  into  the  inferior 
cerebellar  peduncle.  A  number  of  very  small  branches  of  the  inferior  cere- 
bellar artery  pass  into  the  medulla  at  the  level  of  the  softened  area.  The 
medulla,  below  this  point,  and  the  region  supplied  by  the  right  inferior  cere- 
bellar artery  are  normal.     The  cerebrum  is  normal.     The  ventricles  are  free. 


REPORT  OF  A  CASE  OF  ACUTE  ENDOCARDITIS  WITH  IN- 
FLUX OF  ALL  THE  CHORD M  TENDINE.E  OF  THE 
ANTERIOR  CURTAIN  OF  THE  MITRAL  VALVES. 

Lewis  F.  Frissell,  M.D. 

T.  T.,  hotel  manager,  52  years  of  age,  married,  was  admitted  to  the  med- 
ical ward  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  July  5th,  complaining  of  severe  dyspnoea. 
Until  eight  weeks  before  admission,  he  felt  perfectly  well,  but  at  that  time 
noticed  that  his  customary  mode  of  life  fatigued  him  and  that  he  became 
short  of  breath  on  exertion.  He  has  not  noticed  precordial  pain  or  sudden 
exacerbation  of  symptoms.  Gradually  his  dyspnoea  increased,  confining  him 
to  bed,  and  of  late  has  amounted  to  orthopnoea.  He  has  not  been  conscious 
of  fever,  but  his  wife  thinks  there  has  been  some  elevation  of  temperature 
in  the  last  few  weeks. 

There  has  been  a  little  cough  without  expectoration.  Urination  frequent. 
His  occupation  required  no  severe  physical  work,  and  his  habits  were  in- 
clined to  be  sedentary. 

Until  the  onset  of  his  present  trouble,  he  had  been  remarkably  free  from 
illness  since  his  childhood,  in  which  he  had  suffered  from  measles,  scarlet 
fever,  diphtheria  and  chicken-pox.  No  history  of  venereal  disease  or  rheu- 
matic fever  is  obtainable.  His  personal  habits  are  bad.  He  is  a  constant 
user  of  alcohol,  five  or  six  whiskeys  or  beers  daily  with  periodic  sprees. 

Tobacco  is  used  in  moderation.     Coffee  six  cups  daily. 

The  family  history  is  good;  his  father  died  of  pneumonia  and  mother  of 
apoplexy. 

Physical  Examination. — Patient  is  a  fairly  well-developed  and  well-nourished 
man  of  52  years,  appearing  moderately  prostrated.  There  is  some  dyspnoea 
and  orthopncea.  No  jaundice  or  cyanosis.  Skin  and  mucous  membrane 
somewhat  pale. 

Eyes. — Pupils  equal  and  react.     Slight  icteroid  tinge  to  sclerse. 

Tongue.— Moist,  not  coated. 

Throat— Negative. 

Teeth. — In  rather  poor  condition;  a  few  missing. 

Neck.— Visible  venous  pulsation. 

Chest.— Well  developed,  expansion  good. 

Heart. — Lifting  impulse  general  over  precordium.  At  apex  region  is  a 
thrill,  diastolic  in  time.  Diffuse  visible  and  palpable  apex  impulse  in  5th  and 
6th  spaces  5%  inches  from  m.l.  Left  border  6%  inches  out.  Right  border  2^ 
inches  to  rt.  of  m.l.    At  apex  sds.  are  loud  and  booming  in  quality.    At  apex 

135 


136  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

and  heard  over  whole  preeordium  and  transmitted  to  back  is  a  loud  systolic 
murmur,  almost  replacing  first  sd.  This  murmur  has  a  maximum  intensity 
at  apex.  To  left  of  sternum  in  5th  space,  murmur  is  almost  musical  in 
character.  Within  nipple  and  to  sternum  action  of  heart  is  gallop  rhythm. 
Over  base  there  is  a  soft  systolic  murmur.    Both  second  sds.  accentuated. 

Pulse.— Regular,  small,  fair  force,  vessel  wall  palpable. 

Lungs. — On  right  side  posteriorly,  beginning  just  below  scapula,  is  slight  dul- 
ness,  increasing  to  base.  At  extreme  base  fremitus,  voice  and  breathing 
sounds  much  diminished.  An  occasional  rale  heard  at  left  base.  Otherwise 
lungs  are  clear. 

Abdomen.— Lax;  liver  percusses  to  free  border,  edge  not  felt,  but  liver 
region  is  somewhat  tender  on  pressure.  Spleen  not  palpable.  No  dulness 
in  flanks.    No  masses. 

Extremities.— Knee-jerks  present.    Considerable  edema  present. 

The  day  following  admission  there  was  noted  a  presystolic  murmur  of 
rather  short  duration  but  distinct  crescendo  character  just  within  and  above 
the  apex,  and  at  the  apex  a  very  faint  diastolic  murmur  of  a  transitory 
nature  as  it  disappeared  not  to  reappear. 

The  temperature  was  elevated,  remaining  between  102-101,  the  greater 
part  of  his  stay  in  the  hospital,  but  toward  the  end  becoming  subnormal. 

Repeated  blood  cultures  failed  to  reveal  the  infecting  organism. 

The  physical  signs  in  the  heart  did  not  change,  though  at  one  time  the 
conduction  time  was  increased  owing  to  the  effects  of  digitalis,  and  the  sys- 
tolic murmur  became  more  intense  and  musical.  His  hydrothorax  and  con- 
sequent dyspnoea  were  several  times  relieved  by  thoracentesis,  but  after  a 
long  illness  the  patient  died  October  5  of  a  terminal  infarction  of  the  lung. 

At  no  time  did  he  complain  of  sudden,  intense  precordial  pain,  nor  did 
his  dyspnoea  suddenly  become  aggravated. 

Autopsy,  October  19,  1911,  2  P.  M.,  by  Dr.  C.  H.  Bailey.— Body  of  well- 
developed  but  emaciated  adult  male.  Marked  edema  of  hands,  legs,  and  de- 
pendent portions  of  body.  Slight  general  jaundice.  Pupils,  3  mm.,  normal; 
conjunctivae,  yellow. 

Peritoneum.— About  one  liter  of  clear  yellow  fluid  in  abdominal  cavity. 
Over  anterior  surface  of  liver,  especially  right  lobe,  are  patches  of  firmly  ad- 
herent organized  exudate,  also  over  surface  of  spleen,  and  a  few  patches  on 
intestines.  Firm  adhesions  join  the  omentum  to  the  parietal  peritoneum  on 
the  left  side  in  the  region  of  the  splenic  flexure  and  upper  portion  of  the 
descending  colon. 

Pleura.— Pleural  cavities  contain  together  3,300  c.c.  clear  yellow  fluid. 
Somewhat  more  in  right  than  left.    Left  lung  firmly  adherent  at  apex. 

Lungs.— At  the  base  of  the  right  lung  anteriorly  is  a  roughly  circular  area 
of  consolidation,  about  3  cm.  in  diameter,  deep  red  on  section,  slightly  raised 
base  surrounding  surface  and  with  fairly  sharply  defined  outlines. 

A  branch  of  the  right  pulmonary  artery  leading  to  the  right  lower  lobe 
Is  completely  thrombosed.  The  thrombus  extends  from  the  root  of  the  lung, 
where  it  protrudes  into  the  auricle  as  a  free  tongue-like  mass  to  the  posterior 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORD.E  TENDINE^E  137 

portion  of  the  left  base.  It  completely  plugs  the  vessel,  is  a  little  more  than 
1  cm.  in  diameter  at  its  upper  part,  is  grayish  in  color,  with  red  mottling 
and  generally  firm,  but  in  places  softened.  The  whole  lung,  especially  the 
base,  is  congested  and  edematous,  but  the  tissue  surrounding  this  vessel 
shows  no  sign  of  infarction.  No  thrombosed  vessel  is  found  leading  to  the 
area  of  consolidation  in  the  anterior  portion  of  right  base  already  described. 

Left  lung.— At  left  apex  are  two  or  three  fibrous  scars  and  one  calcareous 
nodule  about  2  mm.  in  diameter.  On  anterior  edge  of  upper  lobe,  about  3 
inches  below  apex,  is  a  roughly  wedge-shaped  area  of  consolidation,  deep  red 
on  section,  and  with  rather  sharply  defined  limits.  At  its  apex  is  a 
thrombosed  vessel  about  3  mm.  in  diameter.  This  thrombus  is  rather  firmly 
attached  to  the  vessel  wall  in  places.  A  similar  area  is  present  in  the  an- 
terior edge  of  the  lower  lobe. 

Pericardium.— Contains  about  50  c.c.  of  clear  yellow  fluid.  On  surface  of 
heart  are  numerous  large  irregular  whitish  areas  of  organized  exudate  which 
are  torn  from  the  wall  with  some  difficulty.  The  surface  of  these  is  generally 
smooth;  one,  about  2  cm.  in  diameter,  on  anterior  surface  of  left  ventricle, 
has  an  irregular,  ragged  surface. 

Heart.— Very  large,  570  gms.  weight.  A  tough  grayish  clot  is  firmly  ad- 
herent to  the  musculi  pectinati  of  the  right  auricle.  Tricuspid  orifice  dilated, 
16.5  cm.    Cusps  normal.    Pulmonary,  11  cm.,  normal. 

On  opening  the  left  auricle,  the  anterior  cusp  of  the  mitral,  and  its  chordae 
tendineae,  is  seen  protruding  into  the  auricle,  the  latter  having  been  torn  from 
their  attachment  to  the  muscles.  On  the  auricular  wall,  about  3  cm.  above 
the  auriculo-ventricular  orifice,  are  a  few  small,  rough,  yellowish  vegeta- 
tions. The  mitral  orifice  measures  14  mm.  The  anterior  cusp,  all  the  chordae 
tendineae  of  which  are  torn  from  their  attachment  to  the  heart-wall,  contains 
several  nodular  thickenings,  but  no  recent  process  is  apparent.  The  chordae 
tendineae  attached  to  it  are  of  apparently  normal  length,  but  enlarged,  soft  and 
yellowish  in  color,  and  appear  to  have  been  recently  ruptured.  At  the  sum- 
mit of  the  anterior  papillary  muscle  is  a  small  stump  which  was  evidently 
the  point  of  attachment  of  one  of  the  broken  chordae.  There  are  two  similar 
nodules  in  one  of  the  cords  of  the  posterior  cusp  near  its  attachment  to  the 
posterior  papillary  muscle.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  in  the  gross,  whether 
these  are  vegetations  or  former  points  of  attachment  of  the  ruptured  cords. 

The  posterior  cusp  also  shows  numerous  nodular  thickenings.  Two  hard, 
calcareous  nodules,  one  nearly  a  centimeter  in  diameter,  are  felt  in  the  sub- 
stance of  the  cusp  at  its  base.  Over  the  larger  of  these,  at  the  point  of  junc- 
tion of  cusp  and  auricular  wall,  is  a  small  depressed  area  with  rough  surface. 
Over  the  other  nodules  the  endocardium  is  smooth  and  glistening. 

The  aortic  cusps  are  normal— 9  cm.  Heart-muscle  appears  normal.  Right 
ventricular  wall  measures  2  cm.    Coronaries  normal. 

Spleen.— 255  gms.  On  surface  are  several  patches  of  firmly  adherent  or- 
ganized exudate.  Capsule  thickened.  Very  firm,  deep  red,  trabecula 
prominent. 

Liver.— Greenish-yellow  with  thickly  scattered  deep  red  points  ("nutmeg 
liver"). 


138  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Gall-Bladder.— Contains  large  amount  of  very  thick  greenish-red  bile. 
Hepatic  and  common  ducts  admit  passage  of  probe  easily,  and  on  dissection 
no  calculi  or  other  obstruction  found. 

Pancreas.— Normal. 

Kidneys. — L.  195  gms.,  R.  195  gms.  Capsules  strip  easily.  Tissue  slightly 
yellowish  and  opaque.    Otherwise  normal. 

Stomach. — Intestines  normal.    Bladder  normal. 

Anatomical  Diagnosis.— Chronic  adhesive  peritonitis;  pericarditis;  healed 
tuberculosis;  double  hydrothorax;  thrombosis  of  branches  of  pulmonary  ar- 
tery; infarction  of  both  lungs;  cardiac  hypertrophy;  acute  endocarditis;  rup- 
ture of  chordae  of  anterior  cusp  of  mitral;  chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver 
and  spleen. 

Bacteriological. — Culture  from  heart's  blood:  No  growth. 

Microscopical. — Liver:  Intense  congestion  about  central  veins  with  result- 
ing atrophy  of  liver  cells  in  center  of  acini.  Many  of  liver  cells  about  these 
areas  filled  with  dark  pigment. 

Pancreas.— Slight  increase  of  interstitial  tissue. 

Kidneys.— Capillaries  congested.    A  few  sclerosed  glomeruli. 

Pulmonary  Artery. — Branch  shows  occluding  thrombus  of  fibrin.  It  is  ad- 
herent to  wall  in  places.  Degenerated  in  center.  Undergoing  organization  at 
attachment  to  wall  on  one  side.  Another  section  shows  occluding  thrombus  of 
large  branch,  extensively  organized,  except  in  center,  which  consists  largely 
of  red  blood  capsules.    Surrounding  lung  tissue  infarcted. 

Lung.— Area  of  infarction  consists  of  extravasated  blood  and  exfoliated 
cells  of  alveoli;  over  a  large  portion  outlines  of  alveoli  only  roughly  indi- 
cated by  broken-down  connective  tissue  septa.  Many  of  the  exfoliated  epi- 
thelial cells  of  the  air-vesicles  are  loaded  with  pigment.  Two  small  vessels 
show  partial  obliteration  of  lumen  by  fibrin  and  red  cells,  partially  organized. 

Heart. — Muscle,  slight  brown  atrophy. 

Chordse  tendineae  show  evidence  of  old  chronic  inflammation. 

The  case  presented  is  of  unusual  interest  on  account  of  the  rarity 
of  the  lesion,  its  mode  of  production  and  the  occurrence  of  a  pre- 
systolic murmur  in  the  absence  of  stenosis  of  the  mitral  valve.  A 
review  of  the  literature  shows  50  reported  cases,  including  8  ruptures 
of  papillary  muscles,  a  synopsis  of  which  is  appended  to  the  present 
report.  Many  of  them  are  old,  some  in  the  days  before  the  use  of 
refined  methods  of  physical  examination,  and  even  that  reported  by 
so  great  a  master  as  Laennec  is  difficult  of  analysis,  owing  to  the  in- 
correct views  obtaining  as  to  the  production  of  the  second  heart  tone, 
so  that  his  statement  that  "The  contraction  of  the  auricle  as  long  as 
that  of  the  ventricle  donnait  le  bruit  de  sufflet"  leaves  one  in  doubt 
as  to  his  meaning.  Presumably,  as  he  regards  the  second  sound  of 
the  heart  as  synchronous  in  time  with  auricular  systole,  the  murmur 
heard  was  diastolic  in  time.    As  regards  the  cause  of  the  rupture,  the 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDS  TENDINEiE  139 

tendency  of  the  early  observers  is  to  lay  stress  on  physical  effort  and 
trauma,  though  if  the  cases  be  analyzed,  in  many  of  them  an  endo- 
carditis was  obviously  present,  as  proven  by  vegetations  or  valve 
change,  described  in  the  autopsy  reports.  These  changes  were  con- 
sidered by  some  to  be  secondary,  but  precisely  on  what  ground  it  is 
difficult  to  see,  except  from  the  absence  of  symptoms  prior  to  the 
trauma  or  strain. 

On  dividing  the  cases  as  reported,  it  seemed  wise  to  classify  as 
follows : 

1.  Those  cases  due  to  severe  traumata,  such  as  fractured  ribs  from 
violent  compressions,  falls  from  a  considerable  height,  stab  wounds,  gun-shot 
wound,  in  one  the  kick  of  a  horse.  Of  this  group  seven  cases  were  found 
resulting  in  a  tearing  of  papillary  muscle  rather  than  the  chorda?  themselves, 
these  latter  being  due  to  stab  and  gun-shot  wounds,  and  a  fall  from  a  win- 
dow, respectively.  That  trauma  of  such  severity  in  the  region  of  the  pre- 
cordium  could  result  in  rupture  of  the  chordae  will,  I  think,  be  admitted  with- 
out comment. 

2.  Cases  of  ruptured  chordae  in  which  the  rupture  has  followed  efforts 
such  as  straining,  lifting,  excessive  fatigue,  severe  cough,  in  which  the 
autopsy  disclosed  no  reported  endocardial  lesions  in  the  heart.  Of  these  five 
cases  are  reported  of  which  two  showed  blood-vessel  lesions,  one  an  aortic 
aneurism,  and  the  other  coronary  sclerosis.  Two  cases  also  showed  papil- 
lary muscle  rupture,  leaving  only  one  case  of  actual  chordae  rupture  in  hearts 
apparently  free  from  any  other  lesion.  This  is  the  case  of  Dickinson.  The 
patient,  a  young  male,  twenty-one  years  of  age,  had  a  severe  pain  under  the 
left  nipple  while  lifting  a  load  of  bricks,  developed  immediate  signs  of  cardiac 
insufficiency  and  died  in  two  months.  Autopsy  carefully  describes  the  valves 
as  normal,  except  for  rupture  of  the  chordae  attached  to  the  posterior  cusp 
of  the  mitral  valve. 

3.  Cases  of  rupture  said  to  be  due  to  or  preceded  by  strain,  but  in  which 
endocardial  or  myocardial  lesions  were  also  found  at  autopsy.  In  this  class 
nine  cases  are  found. 

4.  Cases  of  rupture  of  the  chordae,  in  which  endocardial  lesion  was 
found,  but  not  following  known  history  of  strain  or  trauma.  In  this  class 
are  nineteen  cases.  Among  these  are  a  number  in  which  no  history  was 
given  or  obtainable,  these  constituting  a  sub-class  of  mere  pathological 
reports. 

5.  Reported  cases  of  rupture  in  which  data  given  are  insufficient  to  de- 
termine the  probable  cause  in  which  no  autopsy  has  been  made  and  one 
("Gilbin")  whose  report  was  not  accessible.    In  this  class  are  ten  cases. 

Obviously,  the  cases  with  pathological  change  in  the  heart  vastly 
outnumber  the  cases  without  28  to  12,  and  if  we  exclude  the  severe 
traumatic  cases,  we  reduce  this  latter  group  to  5,  which  may  be  still 


140  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

further  reduced  to  3  by  excluding  the  2  cases  with  vascular  disease. 
Of  the  remainder,  2  are  ruptures  of  the  papillary  muscle,  leaving 
but  1  in  which  the  chordae  alone  were  ruptured.  Over-strain  alone 
would  therefore  seem  to  be  an  infrequent  cause  of  this  occurrence, 
unless  we  regard  the  rupture  itself  capable  of  secondarily  causing 
an  endocarditis.  This  is  the  position  of  de  Quervain,  who  reports  a 
case  of  malignant  endocarditis  following  a  sudden  muscular  exertion. 
This  contention  he  supports  by  quoting  the  production  of  endocardial 
lesion  in  animals  by  damaging  the  valves  mechanically. 

Experimental  evidence  of  the  difficulty  of  rupturing  the  healthy 
chorda?  is  afforded  by  Barie,  who,  while  able  to  produce  aortic  rup- 
tures with  pressures  of  170-400  mm.  of  Hg,  was  able  to  produce  rup- 
ture of  the  chordae  in  only  one  case,  and  that  at  1,085  mm.  of  Hg.,  a 
pressure  that  is  almost  inconceivable  in  the  ventricles,  and  which  ap- 
parently, under  experimental  conditions,  is  more  liable  to  rupture  the 
heart-walls  themselves  than  the  chordae.  The  ordinary  pressure  in 
the  ventricle  is  but  slightly  higher  than  the  pressure  in  the  aorta, 
which  may  be  taken  roughly  as  its  measure,  maximal  3-400  mm. 
Other  authors,  as  Libman,  report  in  cases  of  subacute  endocarditis 
such  as  are  caused  by  his  streptococcus  viridans,  the  not  infrequent 
localization  of  vegetations  on  the  chordae  and  occasional  rupture,  so 
that  the  number  of  ruptured  chordae  may  be  much  greater  than  the 
reported  cases  indicate. 

It  seems  fair  to  assume,  then,  that  the  healthy  chorda  is  rarely 
if  ever  ruptured  by  strain  or  exertion,  and  that  a  pre-existent  endo- 
carditis is  necessary  to  rupture.  That  effort  may  rupture  a  diseased 
chorda  is  obvious.  From  the  examination,  it  is  impossible,  in  the  re- 
ported case,  to  state  the  date  of  the  rupture  of  the  chordae.  Prob- 
ably, giving  way  one  by  one,  the  lesion  dates  from  his  onset  of  symp- 
toms, the  gradual  increase  in  symptoms  being  due  to  the  increasing 
insufficiency  of  his  mitral  valve. 

The  symptoms  of  such  a  lesion  are,  of  course,  outspoken  signs  of 
mitral  insufficiency  with  signs  of  cardiac  insufficiency  in  proportion 
to  the  number  of  chordae  ruptured  and  the  suddenness  of  the  onset  of 
leakage  before  the  heart  can  accommodate  itself.  In  a  case  where  the 
patient  is  known  to  have  had  no  cardiac  signs,  no  enlargement  of  the 
heart  murmurs  or  symptoms  due  to  insufficiency,  and  where  following 
a  straining  effort  in  which  the  intraventricular  pressure  may  be  as- 
sumed to  be  greatly  raised,  a  sudden  severe  pain  is  felt  or  a  feeling 
as  of  something  having  given  way,  followed  by  severe  dyspnoea  and 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDAE  TENDINEiE  141 

signs  of  mitral  leakage,  a  rupture  of  this  sort  may  properly  be  sus- 
pected. On  the  other  hand,  when  without  history  of  strain,  a  mitral 
leakage  is  found  which  gradually  becomes  worse  owing  perhaps  to 
the  consecutive  giving  way  of  the  tendons,  the  lesion  is  indistinguish- 
able from  an  ordinary  mitral  insufficiency,  and  this  will  be  the  case 
in  the  vast  majority  of  such  ruptures. 

The  origin  of  the  presystolic  murmur  is  less  clear.  Apart  from 
complicating  mitral  stenosis  or  outspoken  aortic  insufficiency,  but 
three  instances  are  reported  of  a  murmur  occurring  in  diastole.  The 
doubtful  case  of  Laennec,  previously  alluded  to,  makes  a  fourth.  One 
of  these,  that  of  Barie,  may  be  attributed  to  the  perforation  in  the 
aortic  valve  producing  a  Flint  murmur.  The  other  two  occurred  in 
cases  where  the  papillary  muscle  was  torn  off,  leaving  the  flap  with 
its  tendons  and  muscles  free  to  travel  between  auricle  and  ventricle, 
respectively,  in  systole  and  diastole.  The  murmur  was  described,  in 
one  case,  as  a  systolic  and  diastolic  murmur ;  in  the  other,  as  a  murmur 
in  time  presystolic,  but  not  having  a  true  presystolic  character.  "It 
was  not  soft,  nor  was  it  a  squeak." 

Our  murmur  was  a  fairly  localized  short  murmur  inside  and  above 
the  apex,  heard  at  times  as  far  as  the  left  sternal  border,  and  though 
not  intense,  of  a  clearly  rumbling,  crescendo  character. 

As  the  anterior  curtain  of  the  mitral  valve  swung  free  it  must 
have  traveled  from  auricle  to  ventricle  with  each  diastole,  and  the 
sound  may  conceivably  have  been  due  to  the  vibrations  set  up,  par- 
ticularly by  the  strong  current  of  blood  due  to  auricular  systole. 
Much  as  a  sail  flaps  in  the  wind  when  a  fore  and  aft  vessel  comes 
about  in  a  stiff  breeze,  so  the  increased  strength  of  the  blood  current, 
at  this  period  of  the  cardiac  cycle,  may  readily  cause  a  murmur  in 
the  heart  due  to  the  vibrations  of  the  free  flap. 

A  second  possibility  is  that  the  abrupt  termination  of  its  course 
from  auricle  to  ventricle  brought  it  up  with  much  the  effect  of  crack- 
ing a  whip. 

SYNOPSIS  OF  PREVIOUSLY  REPORTED   CASES. 

By  Portal: 

Observation  concerning  a  case  of  rupture  of  two  fleshy  columns  of  the 
mitral  valve.    The  lesion  also  involved  the  wall  of  the  left  ventricle. 

By  Corvisart: 

Man  39  years  of  age,  abuser  of  alcohol;  transitory  attacks  of  rheumatism; 
died  soon  after  admission  to  hospital  with  symptoms  of  extreme  dyspnoea. 

Autopsy  findings:  Protuberant  vegetations  on  margin  of  mitral  valve 
and  on  semilunar  aortic  valves.     The  segment  of  the  mitral  valve  in  front 


142  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

of  the  aortic  orifice  was  no  longer  attached  by  tendinous  cords  to  the  fleshy 
columns.  The  chordae  tendineae  were  ruptured,  or  detached,  and  it  was 
barely  possible  to  trace  two  of  these  cords  at  the  level  of  one  of  the  fleshy 
columns. 

By  Corvisart: 

Man,  34  years  of  age,  injured  himself  in  trying  to  move,  unaided,  a  barrel 
of  alcohol;  suffered  from  cough  and  palpitation  of  the  heart,  mitral  valve 
studded  with  soft  vegetations.  In  the  examination  of  the  pillars  which  sup- 
port the  mitral  valve,  two  of  them  were  seen  to  have  been  ruptured  some 
time  ago.  The  extremities  of  these  two  tendons  were  soft,  smooth,  and 
rounded  at  the  site  of  rupture.  It  was  not  possible  to  locate  on  the  border 
of  the  valve  the  exact  spot  where  they  must  have  been  inserted  before  the 
rupture. 

By  Corvisart : 

Courier,  30  years  of  age,  was  admitted  to  the  hospital  immediately  after 
a  horseback  ride  of  one  thousand  miles,  without  any  rest;  he  had  crossed  the 
Channel  after  this  ride,  and  while  at  sea  had  felt  a  sudden  great  oppression, 
with  haemoptysis.  He  died  soon  after  admission,  under  symptoms  leading 
prior  to  the  autopsy  to  the  diagnosis  of  an  acute  lesion  of  the  heart,  "un- 
doubtedly a  rupture  of  one  of  its  parts."  The  left  ventricle  contained  one 
of  the  large  columns  which  support  the  mitral  valves,  floating  free  in  the 
ventricular  cavity.  It  had  ruptured  at  its  base,  evidently  quite  recently,  and 
a  small  clot  was  found  near  the  site  of  the  rupture. 

By  Laennec: 

Man,  35  years  of  age,  was  admitted  to  the  Neckar  Hospital  in  Paris,  with 
a  history  of  heart  trouble  dating  five  months  back.  Thrill  5,  6,  7  spaces. 
The  contraction  of  the  auricle  as  long  as  that  of  the  ventricle  "gave  the  bel- 
lows sound."    Death  soon  after  admission. 

Autopsy  findings:  The  heart  was  enlarged,  especially  the  left  ventricle. 
One  of  the  tendons  which  pass  from  the  extremity  of  the  columns  to  the 
free  border  of  the  mitral  valve  was  ruptured  towards  its  middle.  The  upper 
portion  was  smooth,  and  was  folded  under  the  mitral  valve,  but  without  ad- 
hesions.   There  were  warty  vegetations  on  mitral  valve  and  left  auricle. 

By  Bertin : 

A  consumptive  girl,  22  years  of  age:  a  severe  coughing  fit  led  to  rupture 
of  one  of  the  muscular  columns  in  which  the  tendons  of  the  tricuspid  valve 
are  inserted;  at  the  autopsy  this  fleshy  column  was  found  to  be  broken,  float- 
ing free  in  midst  of  the  ventricular  cavity. 

By  R.  Adams : 

Cheyne's  case :  A  musician,  34  years  of  age,  strong  and  well  nourished, 
of  irregular  habits,  was  suddenly  attacked  with  a  very  severe  pain  in  the 
left  side  of  the  chest,  about  the  precordial  region.  The  condition  became 
steadily  worse,  with  edema  of  the  lower  extremities,  digestive  disturbances, 
dyspnoea,  loss  of  strength,  cerebral  symptoms,  and  so  forth.  Death  about 
two  months  after  the  onset  of  the  symptoms. 

Autopsy  findings:  The  most  interesting  feature  consisted  in  the  rupture  of 
the  chord;e  tendineae  which  attach  the  left  auriculo-ventricular  valve  to  the 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDAE  TENDINEiE  143 

columnae  carnese.  This  rupture  concerned  variable  levels,  four  of  these 
tendons  being  found  floating  by  one  of  their  extremities  in  the  interior  of  the 
ventricular  cavity.    Excrescences  on  mitral  and  segmoid  valves. 

By  Marat: 

A  man,  44  years  of  age,  on  laboriously  rolling  a  very  heavy  barrel,  sud- 
denly felt  something  snap  in  the  back,  and  was  attacked  by  dyspnoea  and 
palpitation.     Death  twenty  months  after  the  accident. 

Autopsy  findings:  One  of  the  columnse  carnese  at  which  the  tendinous 
cords  of  the  mitral  valve  are  inserted,  was  entirely  ruptured,  and  pulled 
out.  The  patient  also  had  an  aneurism  of  the  aorta,  but  he  had  never 
before  complained  of  disturbances,  which  did  not  begin  until  the  painful  sen- 
sation referred  to  above. 

By  Nicod: 

Autopsy  findings,  in  case  of  a  woman  who  had  suffered  from  two  attacks 
of  suffocation,  the  last  terminating  in  death:  Rupture  of  two  fleshy  columns 
of  the  heart,  at  a  distance  from  each  other,  of  unequal  length,  with  a  different 
coloration  of  the  ends. 

By  Legendre: 

Autopsy  findings  in  the  case  of  a  man  who  died  with  symptoms  of 
dyspnoea,  soon  after  fracture  of  the  ribs,  from  violent  compression:  On 
opening  the  left  ventricle  of  the  heart,  a  large  fleshy  column,  with  tendons 
passing  to  the  posterior  segment  of  the  mitral  valve,  was  seen  to  be  entirely 
broken  and  curled  up  on  itself,  entangled  in  two  of  its  tendons. 

By  Prescott  Hewitt: 

A  boy  of  twelve  years  fell  from  a  height  and  died  four  hours  after  the 
accident.  Autopsy  findings:  No  external  lesion  on  thoracic  wall.  Peri- 
cardium intact.  Ecchymosis  at  point  corresponding  to  upper  portion  of  in- 
traventricular septum;  this  bloody  extravasate  came  from  a  small  tear  of  the 
heart-wall  which  extended  to  the  upper  portion  of  the  septum  and  established 
a  communication  between  the  two  ventricles.  Two  columnar  carnese  in  the 
left  ventricle  were  torn. 

By  Williams : 

Policeman,  age  27  years,  habitual  user  of  alcohol,  lost  flesh  and  strength 
for  two  years.  Three  months  ago,  on  quickly  mounting  stairs,  felt  a  very 
sharp  pain  in  epigastrium;  some  days  later,  edema  of  lower  limbs,  dyspnoea, 
etc.  At  time  of  admission,  urine  was  scanty,  blood-tinged,  and  slightly  al- 
buminous. Heart  hypertrophied.  Auscultation:  systolic  murmur  loudest 
under  left  breast.    Death  a  few  days  after  admission. 

Autopsy  findings:  The  two  mitral  cusps  were  found  to  be  thickened  and 
ossified;  the  chordae  tendinese,  inserted  at  the  anterior  valve,  were  ruptured  at 
unequal  heights,  and  the  fragments  were  lined  with  soft  vegetations.  Pos- 
terior cusp  was  ossified,  and  its  chordae  tendinese  were  agglutinated. 

By  R.  B.  Todd: 

A  man,  31  years  of  age,  was  admitted  to  the  hospital,  with  general  edema, 
enlargement  of  the  liver,  marked  dyspnoea  and  frequent  cough.  History  of 
a  stab  wound,  three  years  previously,  in  right  side  of  chest,  below  nipple. 
Death  ten  days  after  admission  to  hospital.    Systolic  murmur  apex  and  base. 


144  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Autopsy  findings:  Other  valves  normal,  but  the  tricuspid  presented  sev- 
eral interesting  lesions.  The  anterior  segment  of  the  valve,  namely  that 
which  separates  the  infundibulum  from  the  auricular  portion  of  the  ven- 
tricle, was  suspended  free  in  the  ventricular  cavity,  retaining  its  connection 
with  the  heart  only  at  the  level  of  the  fibrous  auriculo-ventricular  orifice. 
All  the  fibrous  cords,  inserted  at  the  valve,  were  ruptured  at  different  heights, 
leaving  a  fringed  valvular  border.  The  fleshy  columns  in  which  the  cords 
originate  were  contracted  and  showed  the  rudiments  of  the  broken  chordae 
tendinese.  The  extremities  of  the  latter  presented  small  bulgings,  similar  to 
those  seen  at  the  end  of  the  nerves  in  an  amputation-stump. 

By  Gordon: 

A  woman,  26  years  of  age,  who  had  been  admitted  to  the  Whitworth 
Hospital  with  violent  hsernoptosis.  The  diagnosis  of  rupture  of  the  chordae 
tendinese  of  the  heart  was  rendered,  on  the  basis  of  the  sudden  and  violent 
pain  in  the  region  of  the  heart,  followed  by  intense  palpitation  and  weakness, 
as  well  as  the  decided  character  of  the  bruit,  and  fremissement  at  the  root 
of  the  neck.  She  lived  ten  days  after  her  admission  and  then  sank ;  the  im- 
mediate cause  of  death  was  pulmonary  apoplexy. 

Examination  showed  very  slight  disease  in  the  aortic  valves;  there  was  a 
sight  deposit  in  the  central  valve.  Several  of  the  chordse  tendinese  of  the 
anterior  portions  of  the  mitral  valve  were  ruptured,  and  covered  with  a  soft 
cheesy  matter.  There  seemed  to  have  been  slight  endocardial  inflammation, 
followed  by  rupture  of  the  chordse  tendinese,  and  this  by  the  effusion  of 
lymph,  which  lay  in  great  quantities  loose  in  the  ventricle. 

By  Allix: 

A  prostitute,  25  years  of  age,  was  admitted  to  the  St.  Jean  Hospital  in 
Brussels,  having  become  unconscious  a  few  instants  before.  Auscultation  was 
impossible ;  heart  sounds  were  confused  and  arrhythmic,  but  accompanied  by  a 
distinct  vibratory  thrill.  Patient  died  one  hour  after  admission.  Thrill 
marked. 

Autopsy  findings:  Trace  of  an  old  endopericarditis,  marked  hypertrophy 
of  the  left  ventricle.  On  opening  the  cavities,  it  was  seen  that  the  chordae 
tendinese,  passing  from  the  summit  of  the  principal  left  columna  carnea  to  the 
free  border  of  the  anterior  segment  of  the  mitral  valve,  were  ruptured  in  the 
middle;  these  tendons  were  very  fragile  and  easily  torn;  their  surface  was 
found  to  present  a  large  number  of  small,  round,  wartlike  vegetations. 

By  Charles  A.  Lee: 

Man,  age  65  years,  while  driving  a  stake  into  the  ground  with  a  heavy 
piece  of  wood,  felt  something  give  way  suddenly  in  the  region  of  the  heart, 
and  immediately  fell  to  the  earth,  gasping  for  breath,  and  laboring  under  ex- 
cessive pain  and  dyspnoea.  He  never  was  well  again,  but  lived  for  about  ten 
months  afterwards,  with  increasing  symptoms  of  heart  disease. 

Autopsy:  The  endocardial  membrane  was  much  thickened  from  chronic 
inflammation;  organized  lymph  was  deposited  beneath  it.  Several  of  the 
chordse  tendinese  of  the  mitral  valve  had  evidently  been  ruptured,  as  only 
their  shriveled  remains  were  visible,  while  others,  both  of  the  tricuspid  and 
mitral,  were  so  contracted  and  adherent  to  each  other  as  to  contract  the  cir- 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDAE  TENDINEAE  145 

cumference  of  the  valves  to  such  an  extent  as  almost  to  close  their  orifice, 
and,  of  course,  to  prevent  entirely  their  healthy  play. 

Blakiston  found  the  chordae  tendineae  shortened  in  20  out  of  46  cases  of 
tricuspid  regurgitation.  In  one  he  says,  "One  of  the  chords  had  apparently 
been  broken,  and  was  curled  up  into  a  nodule,  like  a  pin's  head"  (p.  291) 
(cit.  Lee). 

By  Austin  Flint: 

Woman.  35  years  of  age,  who  had  suffered  for  some  years  from  heart 
disease.  "The  interesting  point  connected  with  the  specimen  is  not  the  con- 
traction of  the  mitral  orifice,  which  is  common  enough,  but  the  presence  of 
two  vegetations  of  considerable  size,  one  as  large  as  a  bean,  the  other  some- 
what smaller.  The  larger  one  is  attached  to  the  papillary  muscle  of  the 
inferior  curtain  by  what  appears  to  be  a  small  pedicle,  which  is  a  fractured 
extremity  of  one  of  the  tendinous  cords.  The  other  concretion  is  upon  an- 
other tendinous  cord  which  has  not  been  fractured. 

By  van  Giesen : 

Man,  aged  24  years,  was  admitted  to  U.  S.  Naval  Hospital,  and  presented 
hypertrophy  of  the  heart,  with  tumultuous  action,  and  a  murmur  with  the 
first  sound  transmitted  along  the  course  of  the  aorta.  Gradual  aggravation, 
death  about  six  months  later. 

Autopsy  findings  in  heart :  On  opening  the  left  ventricle,  the  aortic  valves 
are  found  to  be  thickened,  contracted  and  studded  with  tenacious,  fibrinous 
vegetations.  The  anterior  portion  of  the  mitral  valve  is  also  covered  with  sim- 
ilar vegetations.  The  chordae  tendineae  of  the  anterior  portion  of  the  mitral 
valve  are  all  ruptured,  shortened,  and  covered  with  tenacious,  fibrinous  effu- 
sion. The  free  extremities,  which  are  expanded  into  small  bean-shaped  bodies 
when  drawn  with  moderate  force  toward  their  original  muscular  attachment, 
will  not  meet  by  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch.  The  chordae  tendineae  of  the 
remaining  portions  of  the  mitral  valve  are  healthy,  presenting  no  traces  of 
atheroma  or  ulceration. 

Dr.  Stokes  (cit.  v.  Giesen),  in  his  work  upon  Diseases  of  the  Heart  and 
Aorta,  details  a  case,  extracted  from  the  records  of  the  Pathological  Society, 
which  in  many  respects  is  similar  to  the  one  observed  by  v.  Giesen : 

"The  cords  of  the  anterior  portion  of  the  mitral  valve  were  all  broken 
across  near  to  the  fleshy  columns;  they  were  thickened,  softened,  and  cov- 
ered with  beads  of  very  soft  lymph." 

By  J.  Pollack: 

A  woman,  42  years  old,  was  admitted  to  King's  College  Hospital  with 
severe  pain  palpitation,  dyspnoea,  and  haemoptysis.  Dr.  Johnson  diagnosed 
rupture  of  one  or  more  of  the  chordae  tendineae  of  the  mitral  valve. 

Post-mortem  examination  of  heart:  The  pericardium  contained  four  ounces 
of  serum.  The  heart  was  large,  the  left  ventricle  being  hypertrophied  more 
than  the  right.  One  of  the  chordae  tendineae  of  the  mitral  valve  was  rup- 
tured. Mitral  valve  was  diseased,  and  the  orifice  contracted.  Aortic  valves 
much  thickened. 

By  Kelly: 

Description  of  specimen  derived  from  a  woman  aged  49  years.     Symp- 


146  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

toms  of  heart  disease  for  about  two  months  prior  to  death.  Autopsy:  Left 
ventricle  somewhat  dilated,  aortic  valves  healthy,  slight  atheroma  of  ascend- 
ing aorta.  The  anterior  curtain  of  the  mitral  valve  was  fringed  on  the  auric- 
ular side  with  some  fibrinous  beads,  and  some  were  found  on  the  tendinous 
cords  also.  The  posterior  curtain  was  found  lying  loose;  all  the  chordae 
tendineae  were  ruptured,  and  many  were  much  shorter  than  usual ;  some  had 
a  small  bead  of  fibrin  on  their  free  extremity;  all  broke  off  close  to  a 
fibrinous  deposit.  It  is  probable  that  they  were  not  all  ruptured  at  once,  as 
in  some  the  fracture  seemed  quite  smooth,  while  in  others  there  was  a  little 
fibrin  on  the  free  extremity. 

By  Dickinson : 

Patient,  male,  age  21  years.  Perfectly  well  until  four  months  previously, 
when  he  suddenly  felt  pain  under  left  nipple  whilst  lifting  heavy  loads  of 
bricks.  Unable  to  work  since,  became  worse  in  hospital,  and  died  after  two 
months. 

Diagnosis  of  laceration  of  chordae  tendineae  in  mitral  valve  was  confirmed 
by  autopsy  findings.  The  chordae  tendineae  attached  to  the  lower  edge  of  the 
posterior  flap  of  the  mitral  valve  were  all  broken  close  to  their  insertion  into 
the  fleshy  columns,  excepting  that  one  or  two  cords  remained  entire  at  one 
corner  of  the  curtain.  A  solitary  tendinous  cord,  which  was  attached  at  the 
base  of  the  flap  near  its  center,  remained  entire.  The  segment  of  the  valve 
of  which  the  cords  had  been  broken,  appeared  to  have  lost  all  valvular  action, 
and  must  have  swung  uselessly  from  its  base.  The  broken  cords  hung  with 
loose  ends,  which  had  become  somewhat  thinned.  The  free  edges  of  the 
mitral  valve  had  become  somewhat  thickened  and  opaque. 

By  Bristowe: 

Patient,  man,  age  62  years,  died  under  symptoms  of  heart  disease,  which 
came  on  almost  suddenly  about  three  weeks  before  his  admission  to  hospital. 

Autopsy  findings:  One  of  the  tendinous  cords  attached  to  the  posterior 
flap  of  the  mitral  valve  was  ruptured,  the  cord  was  much  swollen,  and  of 
an  opaque  yellow  tint;  this  change  was  most  marked  in  the  situation  of  the 
rupture.  The  lower  portion  of  valve  was  dilated  into  a  pouch  and  had  a 
deep  rugged  notch.  Mitral  was  normal  in  all  other  respects.  Aortic  valve 
was  perfectly  healthy.    Coronary  arteries,  calcareous. 

By  Hanot: 

The  patient,  a  man,  37  years  of  age,  was  admitted  with  all  the  signs  of 
mitral  insufficiency:  systolic  murmur  at  apex,  edema  of  lower  limbs,  enlarged 
liver,  signs  of  bronchitis,  etc.  After  three  weeks'  stay  in  the  hospital,  he  was 
suddenly  attacked  by  oppression  and  breathlessness;  the  face  was  livid,  the 
body  covered  with  clammy  sweat;  irregular  heart-action,  rapid  death. 

Autopsy  findings:  Aorta,  intact;  valvular  lesions  of  mitral  valve;  also 
three  valvular  tendons,  about  one  centimeter  long,  whitish  and  thickened, 
were  found  to  be  ruptured  and  floating  in  the  ventricular  cavity. 

By  Le  Piez : 

A  woman,  24  years  of  age,  died  suddenly  (in  syncope)  on  getting  up  out 
of  bed,  a  fortnight  after  the  onset  of  symptoms  pointing  to  heart  disease  (no 
abnormal  sounds  in  heart).     At  the  autopsy,  the  heart-wall  was  found  to  be 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDS  TENDINE^]  147 

friable  and  in  a  state  of  fatty  degeneration.  One  of  the  fleshy  columns  of 
the  heart  was  ruptured,  cut  in  two,  at  the  junction  of  the  two  lower  thirds 
and  the  upper  third.  The  segment,  where  the  chordae  tendineae  are  inserted, 
was  displaced  between  the  two  mitral  valves.  One  rather  large-sized  ten- 
dinous cord  was  completely  ruptured;  it  did  not  belong  to  the  ruptured 
column. 

By  Gilbin: 

Personal  observation  of  a  case  of  rupture  of  the  tendons  of  the  mitral 
valve.     Records  not  accessible. 

By  A.  W.  Foot: 

Man,  aged  23  years,  who  had  died  suddenly  while  in  the  act  of  getting  into 
bed.  (All  the  physical  signs  of  regurgitation  through  the  mitral  valve  had 
been  present.)  The  cords,  which  were  found  broken  across  about  the  middle 
of  their  course,  were  two  or  three  of  those  attached  to  the  musculus  papil- 
laris, which  regulates  the  larger  curtain  of  the  mitral  valve,  and  were  those 
nearest  to  that  portion  of  the  curtain  which  is  adjacent  to  the  interventric- 
ular septum.  The  broken  cords  were  studded  with  warty  nodules  of  fibrin ; 
both  the  ventricular  and  auricular  surfaces  of  the  principal  curtain  of  the 
valve  were  covered  with  vegetations  of  a  similar  character,  and  continuous 
with  those  creeping  along  the  chordae  tendineae. 

By  Willard  Parker,   1859: 

The  patient  lived  several  years,  suffering  with  heart  disease.  There  were 
also  fibrinous  granulations  upon  the  cords. 

By  Willard  Parker: 

Sudden  rupture  of  the  chordae  tendineae,  while  running  to  a  fire.  Death 
occurred  a  few  months  afterwards. 

By  J.  C.  Dalton,  1859: 

A  man.  aged  40,  whose  previous  history  was  unknown,  was  found  in  his 
room  comatose  and  died  one  hour  later. 

Autopsy:  The  mitral  valves  were  covered  with  several  small  vegetations. 
Two  of  the  tendinous  cords  attached  to  the  inner  portion  of  the  anterior  cur- 
tain of  the  valve  were  ruptured. 

The  rupture  was  at  the  point  of  attachment  of  the  cords  to  the  valve. 
The  free  ends  of  the  cords  were  covered  with  fibrin,  giving  them  a  bulbous 
shape. 

By  Alonzo  Clark: 

There  were  vegetations  on  the  broken  ends  of  the  cords,  and  upon  the 
valves  connected  with  them.  There  were  vegetations  on  the  cords  of  three 
or  four  other  specimens  which  had  been  presented  to  the  Society.  In  one 
case  there  was  a  thinning  of  the  cords,  ending  in  rupture;  in  other  cases, 
the  cords  were  thickened,  but  softened.  Chordal  inflammation  is  apt  to 
be  followed  by  vegetations,  softening,  and  rupture. 

By  J.  T.  Metcalf: 

Man,  age  23  years,  became  rheumatic  after  an  injury  to  the  side  and  ex- 
posure to  cold;  developed  dyspnoea,  edema  of  face,  ascites,  anasarca.  Rough 
systolic  murmur  over  mitral  valves,  effusion  into  pericardium  and  both 
pleurae;  albuminuria.     Death  from  exhaustion. 


148  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Autopsy:  Several  chordae  tendineae  were  ruptured.  The  aortic  valves  were 
studded  with  fibrin  and  insufficient;  there  was  a  large  white  clot  in  the 
heart. 

By  Lionville: 

Case  of  an  old  woman,  in  whom  the  columns  of  the  mitral  valve  were 
ruptured  in  consequence  of  a  fall  from  a  window  on  the  third  floor. 

By  Terrillon : 

Man,  age  48  years,  gun-shot  wound  of  chest,  penetrating  the  seventh  rib; 
death  twelve  hours  later.  Autopsy  showed  extensive  ecchymoses  in  the  peri- 
cardium and  myocardium  of  the  anterior  wall  of  the  left  ventricle;  no  solu- 
tion of  continuity;  rupture  of  individual  trabecules  and  mitral  tendons. 

By  Potain  cit.  Barie.    Revue  de  Medicine,  1881,  p.  318. 

A  young  woman  died  rapidly,  in  the  Petie  Hospital  of  Paris,  under  symp- 
toms which  were  referred  to  puerperal  endocarditis.  At  the  autopsy,  all  the 
tendinous  cords  of  the  flaps  of  the  mitral  valve  were  found  to  be  ruptured, 
so  as  to  produce  a  true  acute  insufficiency. 

By  BariS: 

Woman,  age  56  years;  history  of  articular  rheumatism,  followed  by  symp- 
toms of  heart  disease;  mitral  systolic  murmur;  thrill,  death  one  week  after 
admission  to  hospital.  Autopsy:  Heart  not  enlarged,  cavities  small,  walls 
of  left  ventricle  slightly  thickened.  The  mitral  valve  was  whitish  and  some- 
what thickened;  on  testing  with  water,  it  was  found  that  the  posterior  valve 
did  not  fit  against  the  anterior  valve,  but  floated  in  midst  of  the  fluid,  in 
consequence  of  rupture  of  four  of  its  tendons.  These  tendons  were  broken 
about  the  level  of  their  middle  portion;  they  were  somewhat  thinned,  but 
on  examination  presented  no  inflammatory  changes.  The  aortic  valves  were 
normal.     The  tricuspid  valve  was  intact  and  sufficient. 

By  Potain: 

Rupture  des  tendons  de  la  valvule  mitrale.    L'Union  Midicale,  1891,  p.  279. 

Man,  72  years  of  age,  who  had  died  with  symptoms  of  mitral  insuffi- 
ciency; the  autopsy  showed  the  presence  of  rupture  of  one  of  the  tendons  of 
the  great  mitral  valve.  The  tendon  had  given  way  close  to  its  insertion, 
and  either  floated  in  the  ventricle,  or  became  interposed  between  the  flaps 
of  the  valve,  preventing  their  accurate  junction,  and  giving  rise  to  intermit- 
tent mitral  insufficiency. 

By  C.  W.  Sharpies: 

Laborer;  systolic  and  presystolic  murmur,  latter  not  characteristic  in 
quality. 

At  the  autopsy  of  a  man  45  years  of  age,  there  were  found  lesions  of 
auricular  endocarditis,  and  a  rupture  of  the  chordae  tendineae,  which  were 
changed  in  appearance  and  character,  being  all  that  were  attached,  most 
anteriorly  and  nearest  the  center  of  the  valve,  with  only  one  remaining  on 
the  left;  thus  leaving  the  valve  to  flap  back  and  forth  without  its  normal 
control.  The  longest  chordal  fragment  on  the  valve  was  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long.  It  was  softened,  thickened,  and  beaded,  smooth  over  most  of  its 
length,  with  one  hanging  vegetation.  Attached  to  another  broken  chorda 
was  a  mass  half  an  inch  long  and  one-eighth  in  diameter,  fastened  by  a 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDAE  TENDINESE  140 

narrow,  small,  short  pedicle.  Otherwise  it  was  free  to  flap  about  in  the 
ventricle.  The  other  chordae  presented  no  peculiarities,  except  that  they 
were  thick,  soft,  and  very  friable.  One  of  the  transverse  bands  connecting 
two  chordae  near  their  origin  presented  a  large  vegetation. 

By  Degny  Huchard : 

Man,  42  years  of  age,  mitral  insufficiency,  also  aortic  insufficiency. 
Autopsy:  The  tendinous  cords  inserted  at  the  posterior  pillar  (angle  of  sep- 
tum and  ventricular  wall)  were  adherent  to  the  posterior  commissure  of  the 
great  mitral  (cardio-aortic)  valve.  These  parts  were  rigid  and  calcified,  on 
one  arterial  surface.  Analogous  lesions  were  noted  at  the  summit  of  the 
anterior  pillar  and  the  anterior  commissure  of  the  great  mitral  valve  and 
the  connecting  chordae  tendinese.  But  here  the  chorda?  tendinese  were  rup- 
tured, one  large  tendon  in  particular  being  broken  off  about  one  centi- 
meter from  its  insertion  at  the  valve,  so  that  this  anterior  portion  of  the 
great  mitral  valve,  being  free  from  all  tendinous  chords,  had  become  dis- 
placed upwards,  into  the  left  auricle.  Only  the  presence  of  the  rigid  calci- 
fied tendon  stump,  which  remained  adherent  to  the  great  valve  for  about 
one  centimeter,  caused  the  luxation  of  this  portion  of  the  valve  to  remain 
stationary.  The  rigidity  of  the  chorda?  tendinese  in  front,  opposite  the  small 
valves,  acted  like  a  rigid  body  placed  crosswise,  and  prevented  the  great 
valve  from  resuming  its  normal  position. 

By  Halle: 

In  the  case  of  a  man  63  years  of  age,  who  had  died  from  broncho-pneu- 
monia, after  suffering  for  two  months  from  symptoms  of  heart  disease,  the 
autopsy  showed  the  rupture  of  several  tendons  and  chorda?  tendinea?,  on 
the  left  pillar  of  the  mitral  valve;  two  of  these  small  tendons  floated  free 
in  the  auricle. 

By  Poupon : 

Man,  41  years  of  age,  who  had  died  rrom  a  ruptured  gastric  ulcer;  the 
mitral  valve  was  found  to  be  insufficient  and  the  seat  of  peculiar  changes. 
A  softened  vegetation,  probably  a  band  attached  to  the  lower  border  of  the 
anterior  pillar,  floated  free  in  the  cavity,  toward  the  cardiac  apex,  and 
therefore  in  the  direction  of  the  blood-stream.  The  flaps  of  the  mitral  valve 
were  extremely  thick  and  hard,  with  scattered  calcified  spots.  The  an- 
terior pillars  of  the  second  class  were  connected  by  fibrous  bands;  one  of 
these  pillars  presented  an  ulcer,  with  calcified  margins.  All  the  constituents 
of  the  mitral  valve  and  its  pillars  were  considerably  hypertrophied. 

The  emboli  found  at  the  autopsy  were  attributed  to  the  rupture  of  a 
tendinous  band  of  a  pillar  of  the  mitral  valve;  the  band  itself  was  inter- 
preted as  the  result  of  an  old  endocarditis.  Murmur  at  apex.  Time  not  de- 
termined. 

By  Henry : 

Rupture  of  the  posterior  papillary  muscle,  2  cm.  in  length  (one  in  thick- 
ness), of  the  mitral  valve,  in  a  young  robust  male,  known  to  be  in  good 
health  two  years  previously.  Death  after  about  eight  months,  after  transi- 
tory improvement,  following  upon  traumatism  (a  kick  from  a  horse)  directly  on 
precordium.     The  clinical  picture  showed  a  complicated  recent  cardiac  af- 


150  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

fectlon,  with  the  sole  symptoms  of  diastolic-systolic  murmurs  and  dilated 
heart  (ox-heart),  which  were  explained  by  the  free  floating  papillary  muscle; 
this  hung  suspended  from  the  chordae  tendineae,  and  was  necessarily  thrown 
constantly  from  the  ventricle  into  the  auricle,  and  back  again  through  the 
blood-current  and  the  cardiac  contractions. 
By  de  Quervain: 

Man,  age  35  years,  in  good  health,  experienced  a  sudden  painful  sensa- 
tion In  the  chest,  when  holding  up  a  very  heavy  barrel;  this  was  followed 
by  epistaxis  and  bloody  expectoration.  Later,  cyanosis,  increased  frequency 
of  pulse-rate,  and  cardiac  distress.  No  findings  early  on  auscultation,  but 
three  weeks  later,  a  rough  systolic  murmur  was  heard  at  the  mitral  valve. 
The  general  condition  became  worse,  and  seven  weeks  after  the  accident, 
the  patient  died  with  symptoms  of  cerebral  embolism. 

Autopsy  findings:  Circumscribed  thickenings  at  free  margins  of  anterior 
mitral  flap,  1%  cm.  long,  1  cm.  wide,  irregular  and  friable.  The  valve  in 
this  area  presented  no  chordae  tendinese,  but  there  was  the  stump  of  one. 
Microscopically,  the  thickening  was  interpreted  as  a  fresh  endocarditis  pro- 
liferation, in  part  ulcerative  in  character. 

By  Schmidt: 

A  man  85  years  old  fell  out  of  the  window,  from  the  second  floor,  land- 
ing on  the  left  side  of  the  thorax. 

Autopsy  findings  in  heart:  Posterior  aortic  valve  presented  a  rupture 
through  its  entire  thickness.  There  was  also  a  tear  2  mm.  long  at  the 
lower  surface  of  the  anterior  mitral  flap.  The  simultaneous  rupture  of  the 
mitral  valve  is  explained  by  the  author  in  such  a  way  that  after  the  aortic 
rupture,  the  sudden  back-flow  of  the  aortic  blood  struck  the  open  mitral 
valve,  thrusting  it  up,  and  partly  tearing  it  away  from  its  support,  the 
chordae  tendinese.  The  rupture  had  occurred  immediately  above  the  inser- 
tion of  a  tendinous  cord  of  the  second  class,  which  is  inserted  at  some 
distance  from  the  free  margin,  on  the  surface  of  the  valve.  Otherwise  the 
mitral  valve  and  its  tendinous  cords,  as  well  as  the  right-sided  valves,  were 
unchanged.  The  heart  was  slightly  atrophic;  no  degeneration  of  the 
myocardium. 

By  Buchanan : 

Male.  Symptoms,  cardiac  insufficiency  with  fever  four  years  before. 
Systolic  murmur  over  cardiac  area  toward  axilla  over  vessel  of  neck. 

Autopsy:  Mitral  admits  3  fingers;  anterior  curtain  presents  an  irregular 
fringe  of  ruptured  chordae,  8  in  number.  Free  extremities  bulbous  and 
granular  from  endocardial  thickening.  One  papillary  muscle,  soft,  pale,  atro- 
phied, is  completely  severed  from  tendon.  A  few  vegetations  on  margin  of 
curtain  freed  by  rupture. 

By  Hawthorne : 

Male.  Gave  up  rowing  three  years  before  death  on  account  of  "weak- 
ness." No  definite  mitral  insufficiency.  Presystolic  thrill  and  murmur  at 
apex.     Systolic  over  whole  precordium. 

Autopsy:    Mitral   stenosis.     Anterior  flap   projects   into   and   half   closes 


RUPTURE  OF  CHORDAE  TENDINE^J  151 

orifice.  Three  tendons  are  torn.  Endothelium  granular  and  swollen.  Free 
edge  of  curtain  studded  with  vegetations. 

By  Barie : 

Case  showing  presystolic  thrill  and  presystolic  and  systolic  murmur  at 
apex.    Also  diastolic  at  base. 

Autopsy:  No  mitral  stenosis.  Two  chordae  of  anterior  valve  ruptured, 
mitral  calcareous.     Hole  in  posterior  cusp  of  the  aortic  valve. 

By  Gordon : 

Not  accessible. 

By  Jayle: 

Systolic  murmur  at  apex. 

Autopsy:  Rupture  of  the  tendon  at  anterior  flap. 

By  Norris: 

Signs  of  mitral  disease  following  lifting  effort.  Examined  before;  no 
signs.     After  systolic  murmur  at  apex.     Suspicion  of  presystolic. 

Diagnosis  made  of  ruptured  chordae.     No  autopsy. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Portal.    Acad.  Sciences,  1784. 

Corvisart.    Essai  sur  les  maladies  du  coeur,  1811.    Lection.    P.  218. 

Corvisart.     Ibid.     P.  267. 

Corvisart.    Ibid.    Observation  40,  p.  263. 

Laennec.    Auscult.  Mediate,  T.  II,  p.  626  (1819). 

Bertin.    Trait6  des  Maladies  du  Coeur  et  des  Gros  Vaisseaux.  Paris,  1824. 

R.  Adams.    Dublin  Hospital  Reports,  1827,  p.  404. 

Marat.    Journal  de  M6d.  Contemp.,  T.  VI,  p.  587. 

Nicod.    Jour.  Hebdom.  des  Progres  des  Sciences  Med.,  IV,  1834,  p.  42. 

Legendre.    SocietS  Anatom.,  1839,  p.  195. 

Prescott  Hewitt.     London  Medical  Gazette,  1847. 

Williams.    London  Medical  Gaaette,  1847. 

Todd,  R.  B.,  Dublin  Quarterly  Jour,  of  Medicine,  1848. 

Gordon.    Dublin  Medical  Gazette,  I,  1854,  p.  123. 

Allix.    Annales  Societe  anat.  patholog.,  Bruxelles,  Vol.  I,  1859. 

Lee,  Charles  A.    American  Medical  Gazette,  Vol.  XI,  Sept.,  1860,  p.  641. 

Blakiston.    P.  2911  (cit.  Lee). 

Austin  Flint.     N.  Y.  Med.  Times,  March  29,  1862. 

Ransford  E.  van  Giesen.  The  Medical  and  Surgical  Reporter,  Vol.  VIII, 
1862. 

Dr.  Stokes.    Diseases  of  the  Heart  and  Aorta  (cit.  v.  Giesen). 

Pollock,  J.  Transactions  of  the  Pathol.  Society  of  London,  Vol.  16,  1865, 
P.  82. 

Kelly.    Trans.  London  Pathol.  Soc,  XX,  1869,  p.  153. 

Dickinson.    Trans.  London  Pathol.  Soc.,  XX,  1869,  p.  150. 

Bristowe.    Trans.  London  Pathol.  Soc.,  1873,  p.  22. 

Hanot    Soci6t6  Anatomique,  1879,  p.  867. 

Gilbin.    These  de  Paris,  1873. 

Le  Piez.    These  de  Paris,  1873. 


152  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Foot,  A.  W.    Dublin  Journal  of  Medical  Science,  Vol.  58,  1874,  p.  254. 

Willard  Parker,  1859.    Trans.  N.  Y.  Pathol.  Soc,  I,  1876,  p.  98. 

Willard  Parker,  1849.    Ibid. 

Dalton,  J.  C.    Trans.  N.  Y.  Pathol.  Soc.,  I,  1876,  p.  97. 

Alonzo  Clark.    Trans.  N.  Y.  Pathol.  Soc,  I,  1876,  p.  98. 

Metcalf,  J.  T.    Trans.  N.  Y.  Pathol.  Society,  I,  1876,  p.  97. 

Lionville.     Mem.  Med.  Milit,  1878,  p.  377. 

Terrillon.    Le  Progres  Medical,  1879,  p.  237. 

Potain,  cit.  Barie,  Revue  de  Medicine,  1881,  p.  318. 

Potain,  Union  Medicale,  1881. 

Baric    Revue  de  Medicine,  1881. 

Potain.    L'Union  Medicale,  1891,  p.  277. 

Sharpies,  0.  W.,  Medical  News,  March  12,  1892,  p.  295. 

Huchard,  Degny.    Journal  des  Praticiens,  1898,  p.  164. 

Halle.     Journal  des  Praticiens,  1898,  p.  143. 

Poupon.    Bulletins  de  la  Soc.  Anatom.  de  Paris,  1885,  7,  201. 

Henry.    Korr.  Blatt  fur  Schweizer  Aerzte,  Vol.  37,  1907,  p.  761. 

de  Quervain.     Semaine  M6dicale,  No.  21,  1902,  p.  169. 

Schmidt.     Miinchener  Med.  Wchschrft,  No.  38,  1902,  p.  1565. 

Buchanan.    Glasgow  Med.  J.,  1894,  XLII,  65-67. 

Hawthorne.    Glasgow,  Med.  J.,  1894,  XLII. 

Barie.     Rev.  Med.  de  l'Est  Nancy,  '85,  XVII,  374-378. 

Gordon.    Proc.  Path.  Soc,  Dublin,  1875. 

Jayle.    Bull.  Soc.  Anat.  de  Paris,  1893,  LXVIII,  170-172. 

Norris.    International  S.  J.  M.  &  S.,  Melbourne,  1894,  T.  242. 


A  REPORT  OF  TWO  UNUSUAL  CASES  OF  SEPSIS. 
Lewis  F.  Frissell,  M.D. 

S.  H.,  boy,  12  years  old,  was  sent  to  the  hospital  July  12th,  with  a 
diagnosis  of  appendicitis.  He  had  been  a  Boy  Scout,  and  was  per- 
fectly well  up  to  July  9th,  in  camp.  On  this  date  he  had  had  some 
altercation  with  the  other  boys  and  thinks  the  parts  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  root  of  the  penis  were  injured.  Since  that  time  he  has 
felt  weak  and  has  had  pain  in  the  right  inguinal  region,  low  down. 
He  was  nauseated  and  vomited  several  times. 

There  had  probably  been  fever  for  some  time,  as  patient  on  ad- 
mission was  irrational  and  his  history  is  not  dependable,  that  of  the 
trauma  being  due  possibly  to  a  delusion  arising  from  catheterization. 
His  admission  temperature  was  1$5  2/4,  P.  100,  P.  28.  When  first 
seen  in  consultation  on  the  surgical  division,  at  the  request  of  the  at- 
tending surgeon,  the  boy  looked  acutely  ill,  and  presented,  on  physical 
examination,  no  focal  symptoms  beyond  acute  local  tenderness  in  the 
right  groin,  apparently  maximal  at  a  point  just  to  the  right  of  the 
symphysis  pubis.  This,  with  an  enlarged  spleen  and  one  or  two 
erythematous  spots  on  the  abdomen,  were  all  that  could  be  found. 

Evidence  of  wounds,  trauma,  pus  pockets  around  the  teeth,  tonsils, 
or  ears  were  not  present. 

A  blood  culture  was  taken  and  positive  diagnosis  withheld. 

Two  days  later,  on  July  15th,  he  was  admitted  to  the  medical  ward. 
The  complete  physical  examination  follows. 

The  patient  is  an  undersized,  fairly  well  nourished  boy  of  12  years,  appear- 
ing acutely  ill.  There  is  no  dyspnea,  cyanosis  or  jaundice.  The  skin  and 
mucous  membranes  are  of  good  color.  He  is  slightly  irrational ;  muscular 
tremor  of  hands  and  arms.  On  turning  in  bed,  he  moves  slowly  and  carefully, 
as  if  motion  were  painful.     Patient  is  generally  hypersesthetic. 

Eyes.— Pupils  equal  and  react  to  light  and  accommodation.  Tongue  dry, 
coated,  tremulous. 

Throat.— Tonsils  are  slightly  enlarged.     Neck,  sub-maxillary  gland  on  left 

153 


154  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

side  of  jaw  palpable;  no  other  glands  enlarged.  Chest,  fair  development  and 
expansion. 

Heart. — Visible  apex  beat  in  fifth  space,  3  inches  from  mid-line.  Left 
border,  3%  inches.  Right  border,  1  inch  to  right  of  mid-line.  Sounds  of 
good  quality,  no  murmurs  heard.  Second  sound  loud  and  snapping.  Pulse 
regular,  good  force,  vessel  wall  not  thickened.  Lungs  clear.  Abdomen, 
even  contour,  not  soft,  no  rigidity  made  out.  Spleen,  sharp  edge  palpable 
1  inch  below  costal  margin  in  nipple  line.  No  abdominal  tenderness.  There 
is  marked  tenderness  to  gentle  pressure  on  the  rim  of  pelvis  just  to  right 
of  symphysis.  An  inguinal  gland  is  palpable  on  right  side,  smaller  one  to 
left. 

Extremities.— K.  J.  present.  Kernig's  sign  present.  Babinski's  absent 
Abduction  of  right  leg  causes  pain,  but  not  flexion  or  rotation. 

The  elbow  of  the  right  arm  is  swollen,  red  and  tender;  there  is  limitation 
of  motion,  due  to  pain.    On  the  outer  edge  of  hand  is  a  small  pustule. 

Rectal  Examination.— There  is  tenderness  on  right  side  at  the  line  of  the 
pelvis;  the  sharp  edge  of  rim  is  not  felt  as  plainly  as  on  the  other  side. 

Eye  Grounds.— Normal. 

Ears.— Normal. 

Urine. — Acid  1,020 ;  alb.  trace  sugar  0 ;  few  granular  casts.  Leucocytes  13,- 
000,  P.  75%.    Widal  negative. 

In  48  hours  there  had  developed  an  inflamed  joint  and  a  pustule;  a  ten- 
tative diagnosis  of  septicemia  was  made. 

July  16.— Right  ankle  and  left  hip  involved;  another  pustule  developed 
on  shin.  The  heart  showed  a  systolic  murmur  over  the  pulmonary  area. 
There  was  some  rigidity  of  neck. 

Lumbar  puncture;  no  increase  of  pressure;  fluid  clear;  few  cells;  all 
lymphocytes. 

July  18.— Culture  from  pustules  shows  staphylococcus  aureus.  Report  of 
blood  culture  shows  staphylococcus  aureus;  spinal  fluid  shows  no  growth. 

The  temperature  has  been  high,  101-104°,  without  chills,  perspiration  or 
extreme  variations. 

The  right  ankle  joint  was  opened  and  treated  surgically. 

On  July  28,  an  extensive  urticarial  eruption  appeared  on  the  chest  and 
abdomen,  and  the  autogenous  vaccine  treatment  stopped  in  consequence. 

July  29.— The  urticarial  eruption  has  disappeared,  but  on  right  chest  and 
in  axillary  region  and  along  right  costal  margin  are  large  hemorrhagic 
spots. 

Heart. — A  soft  systolic  murmur  has  appeared  at  the  apex,  transmitted  to 
the  axilla. 

Death  occurred  on  August  1. 

The  entire  case  presents  the  appearance  of  a  malignant  sepsis, 
the  main  interest  being  the  site  of  the  original  focus. 

The  arduous  life  of  a  Boy  Scout  in  camp  precludes  the  possibility 
of  an  acute  septic  process  before  July  9th,  and,  while  the  heart  valves, 


MALIGNANT  SEPSIS  155 

of  course,  may  have  been  involved  from  the  start,  evidence  of  old 
valvular  trouble  was  lacking. 

If  the  boy's  tale  of  maltreatment,  told  in  delirium,  be  true,  this 
may  account  for  the  localization  of  the  process  in  the  os  pubis,  the 
infection  being  caused  by  some  wandering  staphylococcus. 

Case  2.— M.  M.,  44  years,  housekeeper.  Patient  was  admitted  to  the 
ward  July  23,  1911.  At  the  time  of  admission  she  was  irrational.  Her 
history,  in  consequence,  was  not  to  be  depended  on.  From  members  of  her 
family  an  incomplete  anamnesis  was  obtained.  Since  infancy  she  had  suf- 
fered from  some  paralysis  of  the  left  side,  which  had  caused  a  limp  and  a 
deformity  of  the  fingers  of  the  left  hand,  which,  however,  was  not  func- 
tionless. 

Otitis  media  of  right  ear  for  years.  Date  of  original  trouble  unknown. 
It  probably  followed  an  attack  of  measles,  which  occurred  in  childhood. 

Six  weeks  ago  the  patient  complained  of  severe  pain  over  left  gluteal  re- 
gion, running  down  the  posterior  aspect  of  the  thigh  as  far  as  the  knee.  The 
continuation  of  this  pain  caused  her  to  go  to  bed  4  weeks  ago,  and  a  diag- 
nosis of  "sciatica"  was  made  by  her  physician.  It  is  not  known  whether 
or  not  there  has  been  fever,  but  patient  has  been  thirsty.  Two  days  before 
admission  she  complained  of  pain  over  the  other  sciatic  nerve,  and  her 
mental  condition  became  cloudy.  Mentality  is  said  to  have  been  good 
previously.  Increased  frequency  of  urination  during  the  past  2  days.  The 
temperature  was  continuously  high,  running  regularly  from  101-105°. 

Patient  is  a  poorly  developed,  emaciated,  middle-aged  woman,  at  times 
irrational,  who  lies  in  bed  with  elbows  and  knees  flexed.  Patient  mumbles 
incoherently,  but  will  answer  simple  questions  in  a  thick  voice.  The  eyes 
are  sunken  and  the  face  has  an  anxious  expression.  The  respirations  are 
rather  shallow  and  somewhat  irregular.  There  is  no  dyspnea,  cyanosis  or 
jaundice.     Skin  and  mucous  membranes  are  pale. 

Eyes.— Pupils  equal  and  react. 

Tongue. — Dry,   coated  with   brownish   material. 

Throat— Dry,  coated  with  brownish  material. 

Teeth.— Gums  and  lips  covered  with  sordes.     Teeth  in  poor  condition. 

Neck.— No  glands  palpable.     No  neck  rigidity. 

Chest.— Poor  development  and  expansion. 

Heart.— Apex  impulse  seen  and  felt  in  fifth  space,  SV2  inches  from  median 
line.  At  the  apex  there  is  a  very  slight  thrill,  systolic  in  time.  Left  border, 
4  inches  out.  Right  border,  under  sternum.  At  apex  the  sounds  are  loud 
and  forcible,  first  sound  somewhat  impure.  No  murmurs  heard.  Action 
regular.  Over  the  base  there  is  a  soft  systolic  murmur.  The  second  aortic 
is  slightly  accentuated. 

Pulse.— Regular,  medium  size,  fair  force,  vessel  wall  moderately  thickened. 

Lungs.— Hyperresonant  note  everywhere.  Breathing  sounds  are  faint  on 
account  of  shallow  respirations.  On  right  side  of  sternum  and  left  outline  of 
cardiac  region  are  heard  short  pleuritic  rales  with  inspiration.     On  an  oc- 


156  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

casional  deep  breath  by  patient  fine  crackling  rales  are  heard  in  bases  of 
both  axillae,  posteriorly  and  at  both  bases. 

Abdomen.— Muscles  are  held  rigidly.  Liver  percusses  to  free  border;  edge 
not  felt.    Spleen  not  palpable.    No  pelvic  masses  or  tenderness  made  out. 

Back.— On  upper  part  of  left  buttock  is  a  red,  excoriated  area,  2  x  2% 
Inches,  with  round,  black,  central  slough.  No  masses  or  tenderness  found 
In  sacro-iliac  joint  region. 

Extremities  (Upper).— There  Is  considerable  rigidity  of  arms,  but  no  joint 
involvements  made  out.  The  left  hand  is  deformed,  being  flexed  at  wrist, 
with  extension  of  first  three  fingers,  and  flexion  of  last  two  fingers.  The 
grip  Is  weak.    There  is  no  atrophy  of  muscles.    Reflexes  are  active. 

Extremities  (Lower). — Knees  are  flexed;  extension  causes  pain.  K.  J. 
are  active.  No  edema.  The  left  knee  is  slightly  swollen,  red,  hot  and  tender. 
No  fluid  made  out.  There  is  evidently  a  partial  foot  drop  on  left  side.  The 
ankle  is  slightly  red,  and  causes  pain  when  touched  or  moved.  There  is  no 
marked  response  to  pressure  over  either  sciatic  nerve,  but  flexion  of  legs  causes 
pain,  particularly  on  left  side. 

Eye  grounds  normal,  except  for  physiological  excavation. 

Ears. — Right,  acute  inflammation  on  the  site  of  an  old  purulent  otitis.  Left, 
scar  in  inferior  portion;  serum  thick. 

The  admission  temperature  was  high,  103°.  A  leucocytosis  of  19,500,  with 
a  polynuclear  count  of  85  per  cent,  and  joint  inflammation  combined  with 
a  suppurating  ear,  made  a  septic  process  the  probable  diagnosis,  the  only 
question  being  the  location  of  the  process.  The  deformity  of  the  hands  and 
partial  foot  drop,  with  a  history  of  a  limp  and  deformed  hand,  made  one  fairly 
confident  of  an  old  infantile  lesion  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  right  internal 
capsule,  and  probably  not  related  to  the  present  condition.  The  following 
day  rigidity  of  the  neck  developed,  and  lumbar  puncture  was  performed  to 
determine  the  presence  or  absence  of  meningitis.  A  clear  sterile  fluid  was 
obtained  under  only  slight  pressure.  Blood  cultures  proved  sterile.  The 
leucocytosis  grew  more  intense,  35,000.  The  systolic  murmur  at  the  base 
became  louder  and  harsher,  and  a  soft  systolic  murmur  was  heard  at  the 
apex  on  July  29th,  on  which  date  lumbar  puncture  was  again  performed,  and 
10  c.c.  of  clear  fluid  obtained. 

Early  in  August  she  was  transferred  to  the  surgical  side,  and  the  right 
mastoid  explored  and  the  dura  inspected,  but  without  result,  the  autopsy 
showing  an  acute  vegetative  endocarditis  and  old  calcareous  cerebral  lesions, 
which  may  have  been  either  old  solitary  tubercles  or  inspissated  masses  of 
pus  with  calcification. 

Autopsy. — August  6  and  7.  Body  of  much  emaciated  woman  of  middle 
age.  Several  large  pigmented  moles  on  abdomen.  Left  leg  abducted,  and 
pelvis  tipped  to  left  in  compensation.  Left  hip  enlarged.  Two  bed  sores  on 
this  surface.  Both  forearms  wasted.  Contractures  of  left  hand.  Many  teeth 
missing,  others  in  bad  condition.  Right  mastoid  chiseled  out  and  packed 
with  gauze. 

Peritoneum  normal,  except  for  old,  dense  adhesions  about  the  spleen. 

Pleurae  obliterated  by  old  adhesions,  which  are  very  dense  posteriorly. 


MALIGNANT  SEPSIS  157 

Lungs. — Left  apex  voluminous  and  firm,  base  collapsed  and  boggy.  On 
section,  surface  moist  and  gelatinous.  A  large  amount  of  edematous  fluid  can 
be  expressed,  leaving  some  granular  areas.  Base  deep  red  on  section,  and 
contains  edema  fluid.  Rigbt  upper  lobe  voluminous  and  firm,  lower  collapsed 
and  boggy.  On  section,  upper  presents  a  moist  gray  and  red  surface,  quite 
solid,  witb  yellow  clots  of  thick  pus  scattered  throughout.  Further  sections 
show  cavities  up  to  2  cm.  in  diameter,  fixed  by  their  fibrous  tissue,  and  filled 
with  brownish,  turbid  fluid.  Base  congested.  Bronchial  nodes  enlarged  and 
caseous. 

Heart. — Pericardium  normal.  Heart  small,  atrophied;  mitral  valve  has  a 
row  of  large  fibrinous  vegetations  along  line  of  closure,  some  projecting  4  mm. 
into  lumen.  Aortic  cusps  show  smaller  vegetations,  y2  mm.  in  diameter,  about 
the  corpora  arantii  and  on  folds  where  the  cusps  join.  The  heart  muscle 
is  pale  and  brownish. 

Spleen. — Small,  very  soft,  and  adherent. 

Kidneys. — Normal  size;  capsule  strips  readily.  Cortex  very  pale;  epithe- 
lium opaque.    Markings  well  preserved  and  regular. 

Liver. — Normal  size. 

Stomach. — Normal. 

Intestines. — Normal. 

Pancreas. — Normal. 

Aorta  shows  slight  atheroma. 

Brain. — Very  dense  and  fibrous ;  moderate  edema  of  pia  in  temporal  fossa. 
Cerebellum  adherent  to  dura  over  lateral  posterior  portion  of  left  lobe.  At 
this  point  there  is  a  dense  calcareous  mass,  about  2  cm.  in  diameter,  in  the 
cerebellar  tissue.     Cortex  normal. 

On  section,  a  cavity  is  found  occupying  the  position  of  the  head  of  the 
caudate  nucleus,  and  partially  replacing  the  lenticular  nucleus  and  anterior 
limb  of  the  internal  capsule  on  the  right  side.  It  measures  18  x  10  x  10  mm. 
in  diameter,  and  is  separated  from  the  lateral  ventricle  by  a  delicate  wall. 

From  the  floor  of  the  cavity  a  papillary  calcified  mass  projects  upward 
into  the  cavity.  The  cavity  is  filled  with  thin,  slightly  turbid,  brownish  fluid. 
Scattered  about  the  sulei,  beneath  the  pia,  are  a  number  of  spherical  nodules 
3  cm.  in  diameter,  of  about  the  color  and  consistence  of  white  matter  of  lime. 

Anatomical  Diagnosis. — Acute  endocarditis,  septic  pneumonia  of  right  upper 
lobe,  and  broncho-pneumonia  of  left  upper  lobe. 

Healed  tuberculosis  of  brain  and  cerebellum.  Section  and  microscopical 
examination  did  not  prove  tuberculosis. 

Bacteria. — Smears  from  heart  valves  gave  +  cocci  in  pairs  and  short  chains, 
also  large,  coarse  Gram  +  bacilli  and  smaller  Gram  negative  bacilli.  No 
tubercle  found. 

Cultures  from  lung  and  heart  valves  all  showed  a  colon-like  bacillus.  (Prob- 
able post-mortem  contamination.) 

Section  apparently  through  basal  ganglion  shows  thickening  of  glia 
usual  about  subependymal  vessels.  There  is  also  an  island  of  glia  tissue  in 
the  ganglion. 


158  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

The  case  is  mainly  of  interest  in  disassociating  the  old  from  her 
recent  symptoms.  How  much  importance  to  attach  to  her  chronic 
ear  as  a  site  for  the  portal  of  infection,  whether  or  no  a  pus  focus 
lay  under  the  old  otitis  in  the  silent  area  of  the  lesion,  was  difficult  to 
make  out  in  the  presence  of  increasing  meningeal  symptoms  such  as 
rigidity  of  the  neck  and  Kernig's  sign,  with  increasing  signs  of 
cerebral  irritation. 

The  site  of  the  active  focus  was  probably  in  the  vegetations  on  the 
heart  valve,  with  a  probable  portal  of  entry  from  the  ear  or  the  oral 
cavity. 


THE  DILATATION  TEST  FOR  CHRONIC  APPENDICITIS.*! 

W.  A.  Bastedo,  M.D. 

That  many  persistent  digestive  disturbances  are  manifestations  of 
a  latent  or  chronic  appendicitis  has  been  repeatedly  demonstrated  by 
the  disappearance  of  the  disturbances  after  the  removal  of  the  ap- 
pendix. It  is  also  well  known  to  operators  that  in  some  of  these  cases 
the  appendicitis  was  not  recognized  for  a  long  time,  and  that  even 
after  long  observation  there  were  cases  in  which  there  was  a  large  ele- 
ment of  uncertainty  as  to  whether  the  appendix  was  involved  or  not. 
In  other  words,  the  appendicitis  was  latent,  and  could  not  be  de- 
tected by  the  ordinary  means  of  examination.  Hence  any  measure 
by  which  such  a  latent  appendix  involvement  can  be  recognized  de- 
serves consideration.  "We  would,  therefore,  again  call  attention  to  the 
usefulness  of  dilating  the  colon  with  air  to  determine  the  presence 
or  absence  of  a  latent  or  chronic  appendicitis.  Since  our  first  report 
of  the  test,  we  have  applied  it  in  a  large  number  of  abdominal  cases, 
and  have  been  able  in  a  number  of  instances  to  establish  the  diagnosis 
of  appendicitis  when  all  other  methods  of  examination  failed  com- 
pletely or  left  the  examiner  in  a  state  of  reasonable  doubt.  In  ad- 
dition, we  have  received  verbal  reports  from  several  surgeons  who 
have  been  employing  the  test  as  a  routine  in  their  hospital  cases.  In 
their  experience,  as  well  as  our  own,  the  test  as  checked  by  operation 
has  proved  reliable,  failure  being  reported  in  only  4  or  5  cases  in 
several  hundred. 

To  make  the  test  a  colon  tube  is  passed  11  or  12  inches  into  the 
rectum  and  air  injected  by  means  of  an  atomizer  bulb.  If,  as  the 
colon  distends,  pain  and  tenderness  to  finger-point  pressure  become 
apparent  at  McBurney's  point,  there  is  appendicitis.  We  have  com- 
pared the  test  in  a  number  of  instances  with  the  Rovsing  test  and 

*Read  before  the  Medical  Society  of  the  County  of  New  York,  May  23, 
1911. 

J  Extracted  from  the  American  Journal  of  the  Medical  Sciences,  July,  1911. 

159 


160  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

find  the  dilatation  test  much  the  more  certain;  but  at  times,  after 
moderate  dilatation  with  air,  the  Rovsing  method  of  forcing  the  air 
back  into  the  cecum  may  be  used  with  advantage.  "We  might  sound 
a  warning  that  if  most  of  the  air  is  not  allowed  to  escape  before  with- 
drawal of  the  tube,  colicky  pains  are  likely  to  ensue. 

The  test  is  not  needed  in  an  acute  case,  and  in  such  would  be  con- 
traindieated ;  neither  is  it  required  in  an  undoubted  chronic  case. 
But  the  indication  for  the  test  is  a  suspected  chronic  or  latent  appen- 
dicitis, or  any  persistent  digestive  or  abdominal  disturbance,  in  which 
no  cause  can  be  found  for  the  trouble.  Ordinarily  one  may  entertain 
doubt  about  the  diagnosis,  or  at  least  hesitate  about  urging  operation, 
when  tenderness  at  McBurney's  point  can  be  elicited  only  on  very 
deep  pressure,  or  is  accompanied  by  a  similar  tenderness  elsewhere 
in  the  abdomen.  At  times,  for  example,  we  have  thought  of  appen- 
dicitis because  of  McBurney's  point  tenderness,  but  have  found  in 
addition  puzzling  points  of  tenderness  along  the  transverse  colon  or 
at  a  spot  on  the  left  side  corresponding  with  McBurney's.  In  such 
cases,  dilatation  frequently  results  in  the  disappearance  of  all  the 
points  of  tenderness  except  that  at  McBurney  's,  which  it  intensifies. 

Again,  in  persistent  cases  of  hyperchlorhydria  or  gastrosuccorrhea 
the  test  should  be  performed.  For  just  as  in  the  case  of  a  cholecystitis, 
so  a  latent  appendicitis  may  have  its  chief  manifestation  in  stomach 
derangement,  even  so  marked  at  times  as  to  simulate  an  ulcer.  And 
since  it  has  become  our  routine  practice  to  dilate  the  colon  in  all  long- 
standing cases  of  the  kind,  we  have  had  the  good  fortune  in  a  number 
of  instances  to  discover  an  unsuspected  appendix  and  to  see  the  gastric 
symptoms  disappear  with  the  removal  of  the  offending  vestige. 

A  further  application  of  the  test  may  be  to  distinguish  between 
an  inflamed  appendix  and  a  right-sided  pelvic  trouble.  Pain  and 
tenderness  in  a  right-sided  chronic  salpingitis  or  cystic  ovary  some- 
times result  from  the  colon  dilatation,  but  the  tenderness  is  regu- 
larly less  acute,  is  low  down  in  the  abdomen,  and  extends  toward  the 
middle  line.  In  three  instances  we  have  been  able  to  diagnosticate 
pelvic  inflammation  in  young  women  in  whom  appendicitis  was  sus- 
pected and  in  whom  a  vaginal  examination  was  impossible  except 
under  ether.  In  each  of  these  the  subsequent  operation  revealed  a 
cystic  right  ovary  and  a  free  uninvolved  appendix.  We  have  em- 
ployed the  test  in  not  a  few  other  gynecological  cases,  and  while  in 
some  we  have  been  able  merely  to  corroborate  the  findings  of  a  vaginal 
examination,  in  others  we  have  demonstrated  appendicitis  in  addition 


DILATATION  TEST  FOR  APPENDICITIS  161 

to  the  pelvic  lesion.     In  every  such  case  operated  upon  the  finding 
of  the  dilatation  test  has  been  found  correct. 
A  few  typical  case  reports  may  be  of  interest : 

Case  1. — G.  L.,  painter,  has  had  attacks  of  pain  in  the  abdomen  at  inter- 
vals for  iy2  years,  without  nausea  or  vomiting.  Recently  such  attacks  have 
become  more  numerous,  and  in  the  last,  he  had  to  lie  down  for  one  afternoon; 
he  was  thought  to  have  painter's  colic.  He  told  us  that  the  pain  occurred 
mostly  just  above  the  umbilicus  or  high  up  beneath  the  right  ribs.  He  had 
no  lead  line  on  the  gums,  no  polychromatophilia  in  the  blood.  On  colon  dila- 
tation, the  gall-bladder  was  not  made  out,  and  no  pain  appeared  in  the  he- 
patic region;  but  in  2  spots  there  were  pain  and  tenderness,  1  spot  just  at 
McBurney's  point  and  another  just  below  the  navel.  A  small  umbilical 
hernia  also  made  its  appearance.  The  patient  was  advised  to  have  an  oper- 
ation for  the  hernia  and  the  appendicitis,  but  as  the  diagnosis  was  not  con- 
firmed by  others  he  was  treated  for  3  months  for  lead  poisoning,  intestinal 
indigestion,  and  rheumatism.  The  attacks,  however,  increased  and  were 
more  localized  in  the  appendix  region,  so  he  returned  for  operation.  The 
dilatation  test  was  again  positive,  and  operation  was  performed  by  Dr.  H. 
H.  M.  Lyle.  The  chronically  inflamed  appendix  was  covered  by  veil-like 
adhesions,  which  extended  to  the  hernial  opening;  the  gall-bladder  contained 
no  stones.  The  appendix  and  adhesions  were  removed  and  the  hernia  closed. 
The  patient  has  had  no  more  attacks  of  the  old  type,  and  a  little  recurrence 
of  the  pain  beneath  the  right  ribs  disappeared  quickly  under  treatment  for 
hyperchlorhydria. 

Case  2.— D.,  a  physician,  in  2  years  had  5  attacks  of  severe  pain  in  the 
abdomen,  with  prostration  and  vomiting.  The  pain  was  always  diffuse,  never 
localized,  and  lasted  about  one  day ;  the  temperature  never  rose  above  99°  F., 
and  the  pulse  was  normal  or  slow.  Physicians  had  suggested  appendicitis, 
but  no  positive  diagnosis  was  made.  Two  days  after  the  last  attack,  which 
was  so  severe  that  morphine  had  been  administered,  the  patient  walked  to  my 
office  apparently  well.  Slight  tenderness  to  finger-point  pressure  at  Mc- 
Burney's point  could  be  elicited  only  on  very  deep  pressure,  but  on  dilating 
the  colon  an  acute  pain  appeared  in  the  appendix  region,  and  tenderness 
over  an  area  as  large  as  a  silver  dollar  and  centering  over  McBurney's  point. 
Four  days  later,  Dr.  J.  A.  Blake  operated  and  found  a  chronically  inflamed 
appendix  with  a  constriction  close  to  the  cecum,  and  adhesions  extending 
upward  over  the  cecum.  The  patient  has  had  no  attack  since  the  operation 
(about  2  years). 

Case  3.— Mrs.  R.,  12  years  ago,  had  an  attack  of  pain  in  the  abdomen, 
with  vomiting,  and  was  in  bed  1  day.  A  surgeon  saw  her  in  the  attack,  and 
said  it  was  not  appendicitis.  During  the  entire  12  years  since  then  she  has 
taken  a  laxative  pill  every  night  and  has  had  no  further  severe  pain,  but  for 
the  last  6  months  has  been  losing  appetite  and  becoming  more  costive,  and 
has  been  irritable  and  in  low  spirits.  A  month  ago  had  a  little  abdominal 
pain  on  the  right  side  for  1  day,  but  not  enough  to  require  treatment.  A 
test  breakfast  showed  free  hydrochloric,  48;  total  acidity,  70.     No  organic 


162  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

acid.  On  dilatation  of  the  colon,  pain  at  McBurney's  point  with  sharply 
localized  tenderness  became  manifest.  It  was  our  belief  that  hyperchlor- 
hydria  treatment  would  be  futile  in  the  presence  of  a  chronic  appendicitis, 
so  operation  was  advised,  and  Dr.  L.  W.  Hotchkiss  removed  a  retrocecal 
swollen  appendix  with  3  marked  constrictions  and  surrounded  by  adhesions. 
Since  the  operation,  8  months  ago,  the  patient  has  had  unusually  good  di- 
gestive and  bowel  functions,  and  has  been  in  excellent  general  health  and 
spirits. 

Case  4.— Miss  H.,  aged  24  years,  a  rather  under-developed  young  woman, 
with  a  mitral  stenosis,  has  had  in  the  last  year  several  attacks  of  cramp- 
like pain  in  the  right  iliac  region.  Two  or  3  times  this  pain  came  at  the 
menstrual  period,  but  it  occurred  also  at  other  times.  Vaginal  examination 
was  not  feasible,  so  the  colon  was  dilated.  At  once  there  was  a  dull  pain 
over  the  whole  lower  right  segment  of  the  abdomen,  extending  from  Mc- 
Burney's point  to  Poupart's  ligament  and  to  the  midline.  Tenderness  was 
slight,  and  was  most  pronounced  about  half  way  between  McBurney's  point 
and  the  symphysis  pubis.  Operation  by  Dr.  H.  T.  Goodwin  showed  a  right 
ovarian  cyst  and  a  normal  appendix. 

Case  5.— Miss  G.,  aged  27  years,  has  had  pain  in  the  right  side  low  down 
for  a  year  or  more.  It  has  never  been  very  acute,  never  caused  vomiting, 
and  was  most  pronounced  after  the  patient  had  been  a  long  time  on  her  feet. 
There  has  been  a  rather  abundant  vaginal  discharge.  Examination  per 
vaginam  reveals  a  tender  boggy  mass  in  the  right  fornix,  and  much  tender- 
ness when  the  uterus  is  moved.  Out  of  curiosity,  the  colon  was  dilated,  and 
to  our  surprise  an  acute  pain  appeared  in  the  appendix  region,  and  tender- 
ness localized  at  McBurney's  point.  Operation  by  Dr.  Frank  Markoe  showed 
right  salpingitis  with  tube,  ovary,  and  chronically  inflamed  appendix  bound 
together  in  a  mass  of  adhesions. 

Case  6.— D.  S.,  has  never  had  any  acute  attack  of  appendicitis,  but  has 
had  some  pain  in  the  appendix  region  when  his  bowels  seemed  full  of  gas. 
Dilatation  was  positive  for  appendicitis.  Some  time  later,  in  Chicago,  he 
had  an  acute  attack  which  was  diagnosticated  appendicitis,  and  though 
prostrated,  and  with  fever,  he  took  train  immediately  for  New  York.  Dr. 
H.  H.  M.  Lyle  operated  and  found  a  retrocecal  abscess  with  a  sloughed  off 
appendix. 

These  eases  illustrate  the  positive  findings  of  the  dilatation  test. 
In  the  use  of  the  test  during  the  last  four  years  we  have  had  no  case 
in  which  the  test  was  positive  and  the  operation  findings  negative. 
But  in  two  out  of  all  of  our  cases  the  negative  finding  of  the  test,  after 
a  supposed  appendix  attack,  was  followed  within  six  months  by  a 
typical  attack  of  appendicitis,  and  the  test  was,  therefore,  presumably 
at  fault.  Several  times  in  the  early  days  of  the  test,  surgeons  operated 
for  a  suspected  appendicitis,  though  the  test  was  negative,  and  in  every 
such  case  the  appendix  was  found  normal.     "We  have  had  a  verbal 


DILATATION  TEST  FOR  APPENDICITIS  163 

report  from  one  surgeon  who  has  used  the  test  extensively,  of  two  eases 
which  gave  positive  test  but  negative  findings  at  operation.  With 
very  few  exceptions,  therefore,  the  test  has  proved  accurate,  and  it 
may  well  serve  as  a  diagnostic  guide  in  the  three  classes  of  cases  men- 
tioned, viz.,  suspected  chronic  appendicitis,  persistent  gastro-intestinal 
or  abdominal  disturbance  with  unknown  cause,  and  appendicitis  versus 
ovarian  or  tubal  inflammation. 


THE  VACCINE  TREATMENT  OF  TYPHOID  FEVER. 
Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D.,  and  Norman  E.  Ditman,  M.D. 

During  the  past  few  years  the  undoubted  success  of  the  preventive 
inoculation  against  typhoid  fever  has  been  proved.  Among  the  60,000 
men  in  the  United  States  army  who  have  been  inoculated  against 
typhoid  fever  during  the  past  three  years,  there  have  been  no  deaths 
from  typhoid,  and  but  12  cases  of  fever  have  occurred. 

These  figures  furnish  evidence  beyond  dispute  that  the  use  of 
typhoid  vaccine  in  the  amounts  now  employed,  at  least  in  men  in 
health,  produces  very  real  immunity. 

The  practical  question  of  interest  which  now  remains  to  be  solved 
is,  how  late  in  the  course  of  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever  is  it  advisable 
to  attempt  to  aid  or  increase  the  immunity  which  the  sick  subject  is 
attempting  to  establish,  and  what  benefits,  if  any,  are  to  be  gained 
for  the  attack  of  illness  already  in  progress. 

It  has  been  difficult  to  predict,  on  theoretical  grounds,  what  the 
effect  would  be  of  adding  bacterial  products  to  a  case  of  illness  ap- 
parently already  overburdened  with  products  of  a  similar  nature; 
yet,  experience  is  beginning  to  show  that  while  an  attack  of  typhoid 
fever  of  average  intensity  may  seriously  impair  the  activities  of  the 
person  attacked — producing  the  picture  of  severe  illness — yet  their 
powers  of  bacterial  resistance  through  increased  immunity  may  still 
be  greatly  augmented. 

During  the  past  few  years  one  fact  of  undoubted  value  has  been 
clearly  proved — rendering  the  path  clear  and  safe  for  future  work 
along  this  line.  That  is,  that  the  administration  of  typhoid  vaccine 
to  a  case  of  typhoid — unless  that  case  be  moribund  from  an  over- 
powering toxaemia — produces  no  harm  or  undesirable  symptoms  of 
any  kind. 

During  the  past  3  years,  on  the  service  of  Dr.  Austin  "W.  Hollis, 
typhoid  vaccine  has  been  administered  uniformly  to  cases  of  typhoid 

164 


VACCINE  TREATMENT  OF  TYPHOID  FEVER         165 

fever.    The  doses  have  consisted  of  1  c.c.  of  Parke,  Davis  &  Co.  typhoid 
vaccine  every  other  day — each  c.c.  containing  50,000,000  dead  bacilli. 

In  the  1909  series,  11  cases  were  thus  treated.    No  deaths  occurred. 

In  comparison  with  21  unvaccinated  cases,  there  were  no  deaths 
to  4,  30  per  cent  of  relapses  to  10  per  cent,  34.3  days  duration  of 
fever  to  36.7  and  an  equal  number  of  hemorrhages.  In  the  1910 
series  of  40  vaccinated  cases,  the  mortality  was  5  per  cent,  relapses 
10  per  cent,  no  hemorrhages  and  no  perforations,  with  an  average 
fever  duration  of  30  days. 

In  the  1911  series  of  35  cases,  the  mortality  was  8.5  per  cent,  there 
were  2.8  per  cent  of  relapses,  5.7  per  cent  of  hemorrhages,  no  per- 
forations and  an  average  fever  duration  of  28  days  in  the  non-fatal 
cases. 

During  this  same  year,  in  other  services  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  in 
35  cases  where  typhoid  vaccine  was  not  administered,  the  mortality 
was  14.3  per  cent,  there  were  23  per  cent  of  relapses,  2.9  per  cent 
hemorrhages,  2.9  per  cent  of  perforations  and  an  average  fever  dura- 
tion of  33.2  days  in  the  non-fatal  cases. 

Summarizing  the  available  statistics  for  the  3  years,  the  following 
results  are  obtained: 

Vaccinated  cases  Unvaccinated  cases 

Number    Per  cent  Number     Per  cent 

Cases 86  ....  56 

Deaths 5  5.8  9  16. 

Relapses 9  10.4  10  17.8 

Hemorrhages 2  2.3  1  1.8 

Perforations 0  0  1  1.8 

Average  duration  of  fever 30.3  days  33.7  days 

Still  better  results  are  reported  in  recent  literature  as  follows: 
In  214  vaccinated  cases  collected  by  Callison,  the  mortality  was 
5.6  per  cent,  with  relapses  in  5.1  per  cent  of  the  cases. 

To  realize  how  vaccination  influences  the  course  of  typhoid  fever,  it 
is  of  interest  to  compare  these  results  with  those  of  a  very  large  series 
of  typhoid  fever  cases  collected  by  Osier,  in  which  the  standard 
methods  of  treatment  were  employed.     They  are  as  follows: 

Per  cent 

Mortality 11.2 

Relapses ]1.4 

Hemorrhages  7.0 

Perforations 5.7 

Average  duration  of  fever 29.4  days 


166  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

It  is  therefore  apparent  that,  as  far  as  the  present  total  of  statis- 
tics goes,  there  is  an  appreciable  difference  in  favor  of  the  vaccinated 
cases.  The  proper  dosage  and  frequency  of  administration  is  yet  to 
be  determined. 

In  some  of  the  recent  cases  of  the  St.  Luke's  series  some  doses  of 
more  than  50,000,000  were  given,  and  in  a  small  number,  on  alternate 
days,  small  doses  of  Schaeffer's  vaccine  was  given  hypodermatically. 

In  the  St.  Luke's  non-vaccinated  cases,  tub  baths  were  given,  and 
a  diet  ranging  from  2,000  to  3,200  calories;  while  in  the  vaccinated 
cases  the  diet  did  not  exceed  1,500  calories  and  the  tub  bath  was  dis- 
pensed with — its  place  being  taken  by  sponges. 

In  any  series  of  hospital  cases  which  are  unselected,  a  number  of 
cases  are  found  which  enter  the  hospital  late,  in  a  more  or  less  mori- 
bund or  hopeless  condition. 

Among  the  fatal  cases  in  the  vaccinated  series  these  are  frequent. 
Thus,  in  the  1910  series,  both  fatal  cases  entered  the  hospital  in  the 
fourth  week  and  died  8  and  4  days  after  admission — the  latter  from 
pneumonia,  6  weeks  after  child-birth. 

In  the  1911  series,  of  the  3  fatal  cases  receiving  vaccines,  one  en- 
tered the  hospital  on  the  16th  day,  in  an  extremely  toxic  condition, 
and  died  on  the  20th  day — having  received  but  1  dose  of  vaccine. 
One  case  was  admitted  on  the  16th  day,  in  an  extremely  toxic  con- 
dition, and  died  from  a  hemorrhage  on  the  25th  day.  The  third 
case  was  admitted  on  the  28th  day,  and  died  from  a  hemorrhage  on 
the  34th  day. 

Therefore,  it  may  be  said  that  while  vaccination  has  little  influence 
on  late  cases,  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  if  vaccination  is  begun  early, 
good  or  even  brilliant  results  may  be  expected.  For,  among  the  large 
number  of  St.  Luke's  cases  during  3  years  of  observation,  in  which 
vaccination  was  begun  before  the  16th  day,  there  were  no  deaths.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  must  be  remembered  that  had  all  the  cases  of  the 
unvaccinated  series  entered  the  hospital  before  the  16th  day,  the  per- 
centage of  mortality  in  that  series  would  undoubtedly  have  been  much 
lower. 

Observers  in  general  who  have  seen  vaccinated  and  unvaccinated 
cases,  seem  to  agree  that  in  the  vaccinated  cases  the  ' '  typhoid  state  is 
rare,  the  early  toxic  symptoms  of  the  disease  quickly  disappear  and 
the  disease  in  general  is  better  borne. ' ' 

Major  Russell,  of  the  United  States  army,  has  shown  that  in  normal 
subjects  the  typhoid  immunity  reaction  does  not  begin  until  about 


VACCINE  TREATMENT  OF  TYPHOID  FEVER  167 

7  days  after  the  vaccination.  Whether  the  same  holds  true  for  fever 
cases  might  be  very  difficult  to  determine.  A  fall  in  temperature 
has  often  been  noted  within  48  hours  after  vaccination ;  but  it  is  sel- 
dom that  any  pronounced  improvement  begins  until  after  the  sixth 
day  from  the  first  vaccination. 

If  vaccine  has  been  used  up  to  the  25th  day  of  the  disease,  it  is 
believed  that  its  further  use  is  not  likely  to  be  of  benefit;  while  a 
long  continued  fever  of  the  septic  type  is  more  likely  to  be  benefited 
by  some  other  form  of  treatment,  and  we  have  undoubtedly  seen  these 
cases  clear  up  quickly  under  combined  vaccine. 

From  the  experience  of  the  past  3  years  in  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  it 
is  believed  that  it  may  be  well  to  give  an  initial  dose  of  50,000,000 
as  early  in  the  disease  as  possible,  repeated  every  other  day  until  the 
tendency  of  the  fever  is  downward,  when  the  dose  may  be  doubled 
at  every  succeeding  injection,  provided  the  fever  is  still  declining. 
Injections  should  be  continued  until  there  is  no  danger  of  a  relapse — 
avoiding,  however,  a  dosage  which  might  be  considered  excessive  in 
amount. 

Whether  this  maximum  dose  will  prove  to  be  500  million  or  2,000 
million,  statistics  of  the  next  few  years  will  prove. 


A  CASE  OF  PAGET 'S  DISEASE.* 
Karl  M.  Vogel,  M.D. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  ostitis  deformans,  or  Paget 's  disease,  as 
it  is  generally  called,  is  not  a  remarkably  rare  condition,  at  least  in 
its  minor  grades,  the  diagnosis  is  not  very  often  made,  and  it  is  only 
comparatively  recently  that  cases  have  begun  to  be  reported  with  any 
degree  of  frequency. 

Paget,  in  1877,  first  isolated  this  type  of  deformity  from  the  gen- 
eral hodge-podge  of  chronic  bone  diseases,  and  in  the  Medico-Chirur- 
gical  Transactions  for  that  year  outlined  a  clinical  picture  to  which 
subsequent  observers  have  made  few  additions  of  moment.  As  he 
described  it,  the  disease  is  one  beginning  in  middle  life  or  later,  pro- 
gressing very  slowly  during  many  years,  and  causing  no  disturbances 
other  than  those  due  to  mechanical  changes  in  the  diseased  bones. 
Those  most  often  involved  are  the  long  bones  of  the  lower  extremities, 
the  cranium,  spine,  and  clavicles.  The  bones  enlarge  and  soften,  and 
owing  to  the  pressure  of  the  body  weight  become  curved  and  mis- 
shapen, so  that  finally  with  the  shortening  thus  produced,  as  well  as 
through  curvature  of  the  spine,  the  stature  steadily  decreases.  The 
pain  is  variable  in  severity  and  is  most  common  in  the  earlier  stages 
of  the  disease,  though  it  may  persist  indefinitely. 

In  a  later  communication,  Paget1  summed  up  the  most  prominent 
symptoms,  as  follows: 

"It  usually  affects  many  bones,  most  frequently  the  long  bones  of  the  lower 
extremities,  the  clavicles,  and  the  vault  of  the  skull.  The  affected  bones 
become  large  and  heavy,  but  with  such  weakening  of  their  structure  that  those 
which  have  to  carry  weight  or  to  bear  much  muscular  traction  become  unnatu- 
rally curved  and  misshapen.  The  disease  is  very  slowly  progressive,  and  is 
felt  only  in  pain,  like  that  of  rheumatism  or  neuralgia,  in  the  affected  limbs, 
and  in  increased  heat  at  the  tibiae.     But  neither  the  pain  nor  the  heat  is 

*Read  at  a  meeting  of  the  Section  on  Medicine  of  the  New  York  Academy 
of  Medicine,  May  16,  1911,  and  reprinted  from  the  Medical  Record  July 
29,  1911. 

aPaget:    Medico-Chirurgical  Transactions,  London,  vol.  lxv,  1882. 

168 


A  CASE  OF  PAGET'S  DISEASE  169 

constant,  nor  do  they  continue  during  the  whole  progress  of  the  disease ;  and 
pain  has  not  been  observed  in  the  head  even  in  the  cases  in  which  the  skull 
was  greatly  thickened.  There  is  not  any  clear  evidence  of  general  disturbance 
of  health.  In  all  the  cases  traced  to  the  end  of  life,  death  has  ensued  through 
some  coincident,  not  evidently  associating,  disease,  which  has  been  aggravated 
by  the  condition  of  the  bones  only  in  so  far  as  they  may  have  diminished  the 
range  of  breathing  and  the  general  muscular  activity. 

"In  all  of  the  cases  I  have  seen,  the  general  appearance,  postures,  and 
the  movements  of  the  patients,  have  been  so  alike  that  these  alone  might  often 
suffice  for  the  diagnosis  of  the  disease.  The  most  characteristic  are  the  loss 
of  height,  indicated  by  the  low  position  of  the  hands  when  the  arms  are  hang- 
ing down;  the  low  stooping,  with  very  round  shoulders  and  the  head  far 
forward,  and  with  the  chin  raised  as  if  to  clear  the  upper  edge  of  the  sternum ; 
the  chest  sunken  toward  the  pelvis,  the  abdomen  pendulous ;  the  curved  lower 
limbs,  held  apart,  and  usually  with  one  advanced  in  front  of  the  other,  and 
both  with  knees  slightly  bent;  the  ankles  overhung  by  the  legs,  and  the  toes 
turned  out.  The  enlarged  cranium,  square-looking  or  bossed,  may  add  dis- 
tinctiveness to  these  characters,  and  they  are  completed  in  the  slow  and 
awkward  gait  of  the  patients  and  in  the  shallow  costal  breathing,  compensated 
by  wide  movements  of  the  diaphragm  and  abdominal  wall,  and  in  deep  breath- 
ing by  the  uplifted  shoulders." 

In  regard  to  the  order  of  involvement  of  the  bones  it  may  be  stated 
that  Packard,  Steele,  and  Kirkbride,2  from  an  analysis  of  a  very  large 
number  of  cases,  found  that  this  was  as  follows:  Skull,  tibiae,  femur, 
spine,  pelvis,  clavicles,  ribs,  radii,  ulnae.  The  fibulae  seem  to  be  but 
rarely  affected,  but  Maier  has  reported  a  case  in  which  the  disease 
began  in  one  fibula  and  in  the  small  bones  of  the  foot. 

Paget  correctly  interpreted  the  condition  as  being  a  chronic  inflam- 
matory process,  and  accordingly  suggested  that  it  be  known  as  ostitis 
deformans.  Recklinghausen  termed  it  ostitis  fibrosa.  The  changes  in 
the  bone  structure  may  be  regarded  as  the  result  of  two  opposing 
processes,  resorption  and  hyperplasia ;  that  is,  a  rarefying  and  a  con- 
densing ostitis.  Both  the  spongy  and  the  compact  portions  of  the 
bone  are  involved,  the  destruction  of  the  lamellae  being  accompanied 
by  replacement  with  fatty,  gelatinous,  or  fibrous  tissue  which  fre- 
quently shows  localized  areas  of  softening  and  liquefaction,  so  that 
cyst-like  cavities  filled  with  fluid  develop.  In  addition,  calcification  oc- 
curs and  irregular  deposits  of  new  bone  are  formed  throughout  the 
entire  substance  of  the  bone,  resulting  in  an  increase  in  its  size  and 
density.  The  marrow  becomes  converted  into  a  more  or  less  fibrous 
or  gelatinous  mass  containing  giant  cells,  fat  cells,  and  leucocytes. 

'Packard,  Steele  and  Kirkbride :    Am.  Jour.  Med.  Sciences,  vol.  cxxli,  190L 


170  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Various  authors  differ  somewhat  in  their  views  as  to  whether  the 
process  begins  subperiosteally  or  in  the  marrow,  and  as  to  the  precise 
sequence  of  events;  but  the  essential  features  are  the  combination  of 
softening  and  curvature  of  the  bone,  together  with  an  increase  in  size 
and  density,  so  that  the  picture  presented  by  the  individual  bones 
may  be  very  variable,  and  the  processes  of  halisteresis,  absorption, 
and  calcification  of  newly  formed  osteoid  tissue  may  be  going  on 
simultaneously.  The  surface  of  the  bone  may  be  smooth  or  rough; 
the  cortex  compact  or  spongy ;  the  cancellous  portion  dense  or  porous ; 
the  central  canal  almost  obliterated  or  widely  dilated. 

In  regard  to  the  etiology  little  more  is  known  than  in  Paget 's  time. 
General  arteriosclerosis  is  constantly  present  and  it  has  been  sug- 
gested that  the  bone  lesions  are  due  to  sclerosis  of  the  nutrient  ves- 
sels of  the  bone.  French  observers  have  considered  that  the  disease 
is  a  manifestation  of  hereditary  syphilis  or  a  paraluetic  condition,  and 
have  reported  improvement  as  the  result  of  mixed  treatment.  Nerve 
lesions  and  gout  have  also  been  mentioned  as  possible  etiological  fac- 
tors, but  without  very  satisfactory  confirmatory  evidence.  Joint 
changes  occur,  but  are  not  very  common,  although  Richard  and  Zieg- 
ler  hold  that  the  disease  is  allied  to  arthritis  deformans.  Prince3, 
who  regarded  the  disease  as  a  trophic  disorder,  has  laid  stress  on  the 
possibility  of  there  being  changes  in  the  central  nervous  system, 
but  as  yet  nothing  significant  has  been  discovered.  An  interesting 
fact  noted  by  Paget  himself,  as  well  as  by  later  writers,  is  the  com- 
parative frequency  with  which  new  growths  of  various  sorts,  includ- 
ing osteosarcoma,  occur  in  the  subjects  of  the  disease.  A  possible 
hereditary  predisposition  has  been  alleged,  since  in  a  number  of  in- 
stances members  of  the  same  family  have  been  victims  of  the  disorder. 
Bockenheimer4  holds  that  a  congenital  anomaly  of  bone  metabolism 
is  an  underlying  factor. 

The  direct  prognosis,  as  far  as  life  is  concerned,  is  good,  though  a 
subject  of  the  disease,  through  arteriosclerosis  and  through  local  con- 
ditions dependent  upon  the  deformity,  may  be  more  susceptible  to 
the  disorders  of  old  age  than  an  individual  not  so  affected. 

The  treatment  is  largely  symptomatic  and  consists  chiefly  in  con- 
trolling the  pain,  when  present,  though  some  writers  have  reported 
encouraging  results  from  the  administration  of  thyroid  extract.  At- 
tempts at  surgical  correction  of  the  deformity  of  the  long  bones  are 

'Prince:    Am.  Jour.  Med.  Sciences,  vol.  cxxiv,  1902. 
'Bockenheimer :    Arch.  f.  klinische  Chirurgie,  vol.  lxxxv,  1908. 


A  CASE  OF  PAGET'S  DISEASE  171 

contraindicated.  In  one  case  of  Sonnenberg  V  in  which  an  osteotomy 
was  performed  there  was  no  evidence  of  callus  formation  13  months 
later. 

The  question  of  diagnosis  is  a  more  complex  one,  for  while  it  is 
not  very  difficult  to  recognize  the  disease  when  well  advanced  so  that 
the  curvature  and  enlargement  of  the  bones  are  apparent,  the  head  is 
misshapen,  the  stature  shortened,  and  the  patient  presents  the  typical 
ape-like  aspect,  in  its  earlier  stages  or  in  mild  cases,  when,  perhaps, 
only  a  single  bone  is  involved  and  the  patient  complains  solely  of 
fleeting  pains,  it  is  no  doubt  often  mistaken  for  sciatica,  rheumatism, 
neuralgia,  arteriosclerosis,  etc.,  and  many  cases  are  accordingly  over- 
looked. Among  the  bone  diseases  that  might  be  confounded  with  it 
are  osteomalacia,  spondylitis  deformans,  hypertrophic  pulmonary 
osteoarthropathy,  and  possibly  acromegaly,  but  these  all  differ  in  more 
or  less  striking  particulars  from  Paget 's  disease  when  well  developed. 
One  form  of  disease,  however,  requires  especial  mention  in  this  con- 
nection, and  that  is  the  diffuse  enlargement  of  the  skull  described  by 
Malpighi  in  1697,  and  to  which  Virchow  gave  the  name  of  leontiasis 
ossea,  because,  as  he  said,  in  looking  at  representations  of  such  skulls 
one  is  reminded  of  the  appearance  of  the  plaster  cast  of  a  case  of 
leprous  leontiasis.  Later  authors,  however,  prefer  the  designation 
"diffuse  cranial  hyperostosis."  Most  of  the  writers  on  bone  disease 
have  apparently  taken  it  for  granted  that  this  condition  and  Paget 's 
disease  are  independent  affections,  and  have  given  various  differential 
points  by  the  aid  of  which  the  two  might  be  distinguished.  These  re- 
late chiefly  to  the  age  at  which  the  disease  first  appears,  and  to  minor 
distinctions  in  regard  to  the  nature  of  the  bony  changes,  extent  of 
involvement  of  the  fissures  and  foramina  of  the  skull,  the  occurrence 
of  nervous  disturbances,  etc.  Recent  authors,  however,  notably  Bock- 
enheimer,  Prince,  and  FitzR,  have  suggested  that  the  two  conditions 
are  certainly  closely  allied  and  probably  identical.  But  the  question 
has  remained  a  somewhat  open  one  because  until  rather  recently  in- 
formation as  to  the  leontiasis  skulls  was  largely  derived  from  more 
or  less  ancient  museum  specimens  generally  provided  only  with  in- 
adequate clinical  histories,  so  that  the  possible  coexistence  of  slight 
changes  in  other  bones  could  not  be  altogether  excluded.  Latterly 
more  definite  data  have  been  available,  for  the  microscopic  examina- 
tion of  tissue  removed  at  operation  on  leontiasis  patients  for  the  pur- 

BGlaessner:     Wien.  klin.  Wochenschrift,  1908,  p.  1327. 
6Fitz :    Am.  Jour.  Med.  Sciences,  vol.  cxxiv.  1902. 


172  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

pose  of  relieving  pressure  symptoms  has  revealed  changes  precisely 
similar  to  those  found  in  the  long  bones  in  Paget 's  disease.  An  im- 
portant contribution  to  the  matter  was  made  not  long  ago  by  Max 
Koch7,  who  presented  before  the  German  Pathological  Society  the 
skull  of  a  carefully  observed  patient  clinically  suffering  from  leon- 
tiasis,  which  showed  on  section  the  usual  appearances  of  Paget 's  dis- 
ease ;  so  that  it  now  seems  rational  to  regard  leontiasis  ossea  as  a  local 
occurrence  of  lesions  which  when  more  widely  distributed  produce 
the  picture  of  Paget 's  disease. 

The  history  of  Koch 's  case  is  briefly  as  follows : 

The  patient  was  a  woman  of  65  years,  who  was  observed  during  a  year's 
stay  in  the  hospital.  The  symptoms  began  twenty  years  previously,  when 
she  noticed  an  increase  in  the  size  of  the  head  and  at  the  same  time  tinnitus, 
vertigo,  headache,  and  impairment  of  vision  developed.  Her  hearing  became 
impaired  only  a  few  months  before  her  entry  into  the  hospital.  The  circum- 
ference of  the  head  was  72  cm.,  or  about  29  inches.  There  was  pronounced 
enlargement  of  the  temporal  arteries,  and  the  ears  stood  out  prominently 
from  the  head.  Ophthalmoscopic  examination  was  negative,  and  the  visual 
fields  were  not  restricted.  Myopia  of  — 5  D.  S.  There  were  hyperostoses  of 
both  external  auditory  meatuses  and  hypertrophy  of  the  inferior  turbinates  and 
nasal  septum.  The  hard  palate  was  so  much  thickened  that  the  laryngoscope 
could  not  be  used.  The  lower  jaw  was  not  thickened.  The  Wassermann 
reaction  was  negative.  During  her  stay  in  the  hospital  she  suffered  chiefly 
from  headache,  pain  in  the  legs,  vertigo,  and  general  weakness.  Five  days 
before  death  she  suffered  from  an  apoplectiform  attack,  with  unconsciousness, 
but  no  paralysis.  Death  appeared  to  be  due  to  a  general  loss  of  strength.  At 
the  autopsy  it  was  found  that  there  was  a  synostosis  between  the  axis  and 
third  cervical  vertebra.  There  was  a  moderate  kyphosis  in  the  thoracic  region, 
£>ut  no  abnormality  of  the  other  bones.  The  blood-vessels  were  markedly 
-sclerotic.  On  sawing  through  the  skull,  it  was  found  that  the  differences  in 
structure  between  the  external  and  internal  tables  and  the  diploe  had  disap- 
peared, and  the  bone  was  very  friable.  The  thickness  of  the  frontal  bone  was 
from  4  to  6  cm.,  that  of  the  temporal  from  3  to  3.5  cm.,  and  of  the  occiput, 
l2.5  to  3  cm.  There  was  an  abscess  cavity  in  the  situation  of  the  frontal 
sinus  on  one  side,  but  on  the  other  the  sinus  had  been  entirely  obliterated. 
The  cut  surface  was  made  up  of  spongy  bone,  with  grayish-red,  dense,  fibrous 
tissue,  with  here  and  there  areas  of  gelatinous  marrow,  or  cavities  filled 
with  fluid.  All  the  foramina  and  fissures  of  the  base  were  much  narrowed, 
except  the  foramen  ovale.  The  meninges  were  normal,  but  the  brain  appeared 
flattened  and  diminished  in  size  through  pressure.  The  pituitary  body  was 
flattened,  but  in  section  showed  no  abnormalities. 

Microscopical  examination  of  the  bones  showed  the  changes  described  by 
Paget  as  ostitis  deformans,  and  by  von  Recklinghausen8  as  ostitis  fibrosa, 

'Koch:     "Verhandlungen  der  Deutsch.  patholog.  Gesellsch.,"  1909. 
•v.  Recklinghausen :     "Virchow's  Festschrift,"  1891. 


Fig.    1. — Photograph   of   patient   at   the 
age  of  34  years. 


Fig.  2. — Photograph  of  patient  at  the  age 
of  44  years. 


^^F^  *^ 

Wi^i 

^v> 

i 

* 

W..  L 

• 

1     V 

Fig.  3. — Present  appearance  of  the  patient. 


Fig.  4. — Present  appearance  of  the  patient. 

Note  especially  the  appearance  of 

the  ear. 


A  CASE  OF  PAGET'S  DISEASE  173 

Koch  accordingly  believes  that  this  case  definitely  proves  the  identity  of  leon- 
tiasis  ossea  with  Paget's  disease. 

The  history  of  the  case  forming  the  subject  of  the  present  report 
is  as  follows: 

The  patient  was  a  woman,  aged  68,  born  in  England,  a  seamstress.  Ad- 
mitted to  St  Luke's  Hospital  on  December  5,  1910,  to  the  service  of  Dr. 
Janeway. 

Family  history  negative,  except  that  one  sister  is  said  to  have  died  of 
cardiac  trouble,  and  various  members  of  the  family  have  had  "weak  hearts." 
There  is  no  history  of  bone  changes  similar  to  those  of  the  patient,  and  all 
other  members  of  the  family  are  well  formed,  active  individuals. 

Previous  history :  When  about  two  years  old  her  head  was  caught  between 
a  clothes  mangle  and  a  door.  She  says  that  her  head  has  always  been  large 
and  ill-formed,  and  believes  that  this  is  due  to  this  accident.  She  has  no 
remembrance  of  the  diseases  of  childhood.  At  eleven  years  of  age,  after  a 
fright,  she  had  "fits,"  during  which  she  would  become  unconscious,  but  she 
does  not  remember  falling  or  hurting  herself  during  these  attacks.  A  short 
time  later  she  awoke  one  morning  and  found  that  her  right  side  was  paralyzed. 
For  a  time  she  had  to  be  fed,  and  helped  in  walking,  but  the  paralysis  gradu- 
ally disappeared,  and  she  had  no  more  of  the  fits  after  her  sixteenth  year. 
About  twenty-five  years  ago  she  had  several  abscesses  in  the  left  external  audi- 
tory canal,  and  at  the  same  time  that  side  of  her  head  became  swollen  and 
bumpy.  She  believes  that  the  present  swelling  above  her  ear  is  due  to  this 
cause. 

Present  illness :  Dates  back  about  fifteen  years.  Previous  to  this  time  she 
had  always  been  a  good  walker,  but  she  then  began  to  notice  a  feeling  of 
weakness  in  her  legs,  which  gradually  increased,  until  about  ten  years  ago, 
when  she  was  obliged  to  give  up  her  work,  as  it  took  her  so  long  to  do  any- 
thing, and  she  could  not  think  quickly.  If  she  wished  to  do  anything  across 
the  room,  it  would  take  her  half  an  hour  in  thinking  about  it  and  in  getting 
up  and  crossing  the  room.  She  had  some  dull  pains  in  her  legs  at  this  time, 
and  also  began  to  grow  deaf.  During  the  last  five  years  the  pains  in  her 
legs  have  become  more  severe.  Her  gait  has  become  very  slow  and  shuffling, 
and  she  cannot  lift  her  feet.  Two  years  ago  she  noticed  that  the  legs  were 
becoming  crooked.  She  has  suffered  from  headache  most  of  her  life,  and  lately 
her  head  has  felt  heavy,  so  that  it  drops  forward  and  it  is  hard  for  her  to 
lift  it  She  is  afraid  to  lift  her  head  too  high  in  looking  at  things,  for  fear 
she  will  fall  over  backward.  She  believes  that  she  has  become  two  inches 
shorter  during  the  past  five  years.  She  is  of  a  hysterical  nature,  and  has 
always  cried  easily,  but  she  has  found  that  lately  she  cannot  shed  a  tear, 
and  has  also  found  that  the  bridge  of  her  nose  has  grown  too  large  for  her 
glasses.  For  four  or  five  years  her  legs  have  been  more  or  less  swollen,  and 
recently  her  arms  also  have  become  edematous.  For  about  a  year  she  has 
been  short  of  breath,  and  the  veins  in  her  neck  and  on  her  forehead  have 
become  prominent 


174  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

The  patient  is  depressed,  realizing  fully  her  slow  mental  processes  and 
her  inability  to  move  or  act  quickly. 

Chief  complaints :    Shortness  of  breath  and  swelling  of  arms  and  legs. 

Physical  Examination. — General  condition:  Patient  is  a  rather  poorly 
nourished  woman,  of  small  frame,  past  middle  age,  showing  moderate  dyspnea, 
but  only  slight  cyanosis.  Her  appearance  is  very  striking,  on  account  of  the 
marked  disproportion  between  the  size  of  the  head  and  that  of  the  body.  The 
head  is  very  markedly  enlarged,  especially  in  the  upper  part;  it  is  rather 
square  in  shape,  with  pronounced  bony  protuberances  above  each  ear.  Cir- 
cumference about  the  forehead  is  65  cm.,  or  26  inches.  In  the  temporal 
region  and  in  the  neck  are  numerous  markedly  distended  pulsating  veins.  The 
skin  of  the  face  appears  rather  pale  and  pasty,  with  numerous  brownish  pig- 
mented areas.  Eyes:  Pupils  equal,  and  react  to  light  and  accommodation. 
Tongue  clean.  Throat  normal.  Upper  teeth  artificial ;  lower  in  fair  condi- 
tion. Chest  poorly  developed;  slight  protuberance  of  upper  part  of  sternum. 
Heart:  Rather  diffuse  pulsation  over  the  lower  precordium.  The  apex  im- 
pulse is  fairly  well  marked  in  the  fifth  space,  four  inches  to  the  left  of  the 
median  line.  The  right  border  is  one  inch  from  the  mid-line ;  the  ieft  border 
merges  with  the  dulness  of  the  left  chest.  At  the  apex  there  is  a  loud,  blowing, 
systolic  murmur,  transmitted  to  the  axilla,  and  heard  over  the  entire  lower 
left  chest.  The  second  sounds  are  not  accentuated;  the  action  is  rapid  and 
irregular.  The  pulse  is  rapid,  irregular,  of  poor  force  and  moderate  tension. 
The  vessel  wall  is  thickened.  Lungs:  Clear  anteriorly;  posteriorly,  there 
is  dulness,  beginning  just  above  the  angle  of  the  scapula  on  both  sides,  and 
becoming  flat  on  approaching  the  base.  Over  this  area  there  is  diminished 
breathing,  becoming  absent  at  the  base,  where  numerous  subcrepitant  rales 
are  heard.  The  abdomen  is  somewhat  distended.  The  liver  percusses  three 
inches  below  the  free  border,  where  its  edge  can  be  felt  distinctly.  It  is 
markedly  tender,  and  pulsates.  Extremities :  Both  legs  are  markedly  edema- 
tous, and  show  moderate  curving  of  the  tibiae. 

The  patient's  height  at  present  is  4  feet  10%  inches,  whereas  she  says  that 
previously  it  was  5  feet  V/2  inches,  a  shortening  of  a  little  over  2y2  inches. 
She  is  very  deaf,  but  examination  of  the  ears  shows  no  occlusion  or  deformity 
of  the  external  meatus.    The  drums  show  several  patches  of  fibrous  thickening. 

In  conclusion,  it  may  be  said  that  a  survey  of  the  literature  seems 
to  support  the  contention  that  the  separation  of  diffuse  cranial  hyper- 
ostosis as  an  independent  disease  is  not  justified  and  that  it  is  to  be 
regarded  as  a  manifestation  of  the  same  process  which  is  responsible 
for  the  symptom  complex  of  Paget 's  disease.  Further  evidence  in 
favor  of  this  view  is  furnished  by  a  case  recently  reported  by  Bart- 
lett,9  in  which,  as  in  that  described  by  Koch,  during  life  there  was  no 
sign  of  the  involvement  of  any  bones  except  those  of  the  skull.  At 
the  autopsy,  however,  examination  of  the  femur  showed  beginning 
foci  of  disease. 

"Bartlett :     Yale  Medical  Journal,  1909,  p.  367. 


Fig.  5. — Radiograph  of  the  pelvis  and  femur. 


Fig.  6. — Radiograph  of  the  tibiae. 


THE  PURIN  CONTENT  OF  FOODSTUFFS.* 
Karl  M.  Vogel,  M.D. 

The  importance  of  considering  the  purin  content  of  the  diet  in  the 
diagnosis  and  treatment  of  certain  metabolic  disorders  has  recently 
been  emphasized  by  numerous  writers,  for  example,  by  Bessau  and 
Schmid,1  and  by  Brugsch  and  Hesse.3 

The  following  determinations  of  the  purin  content  of  some  of  the 
commoner  foodstuffs  were  begun  in  the  fall  of  1908,  in  the  II  Medical 
Clinic  in  Munich,  at  the  instance  of  Prof.  Fr.  Miiller,  and  were  con- 
tinued in  the  laboratories  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
and  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  publication  of 
Bessau  and  Schmid  'a  table  made  it  seem  unnecessary  to  continue  in 
this  direction,  but  since  then  Hesse  has  reported  the  results  of  some 
analyses  made  by  him.  His  figures  in  general  are  higher  than  those 
of  Bessau  and  Schmid,  and  as  mine  correspond  more  closely  with  the 
latter,  it  appears  of  some  interest  to  record  them  also. 

Hesse,  in  publishing  his  figures,  calculated  the  presumptive  amount 
of  purin  bases  corresponding  to  the  nitrogen  values  found.  In  order  to 
make  his  results  comparable  to  those  of  other  authors  who  have  fol- 
lowed the  practice  of  giving  the  nitrogen  content  of  the  purin  precipi- 
tates, I  have  calculated  the  nitrogen  equivalent  of  his  values,  employ- 
ing the  customary  factor  2.65.  One  column  of  the  table,  however, 
contains  his  original  figures.  In  the  first  four  analyses  of  meat  and 
organs  I  used  the  method  of  Burian  and  Hall  ;8  the  other  determina- 
tions were  made  by  means  of  the  copper-bisulfite  method.4  Of  the 
meats,  100  to  250  grams  were  taken,  and  of  the  other  articles  250  to 
500  grams. 

♦Translated  from  the  Munchener  medizinische  Wochenschrift,  No.  46,  1911. 
xBessau  und  Schmid.    Therap.  Monat,  No.  3,  1910. 
'Brugsch  und  Hesse.    Med.  Klinik,  No.  16,  1910. 
8Burian  und  Hall.    Ztsehr.  f.  physiol.  Chem.,  xxxviii,  336. 
4Kruger  und  Schittenhelm.    Ztsehr.  f.  physiol.  Chem.,  xlv,  15. 

175 


176 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Beef:  Sirloin. 


Liver    

Sweetbread  (thymus) 
Spleen 

Codfish  

Wheat  flour 

Rye  flour 

Pea  flour 

Arrowroot 

White  bread. 


Rye  bread. . . 

Hominy 

Oatmeal 

Rice 

Potato 

Spinach  

Tomato 

Milk 

Swiss  cheese. 


c 

■Percentage  of  purin  N- 

* 

%of 

Bessau 

purins 

Walker 

and 

Hall 

Schmid 

Vogel 

Hesse 

Hesse 

0.0522 

0.037 

0.059* 

0.0666 
0.0720 

0.175 
0.189 

0.1101 

0.093 

0.099 

0.142 

0.372 

0.4025 

0.330 

0.398 
0.196 

0.498 

1.308 

0.0233 

0.038 

0.040* 

0.0499 

0.131 



0.001 

0.0441 

0.116 

0.002 

0.0365 

0.096 

0.0156 

0.016 
0.001 

0.0411 

0.108 

0 

0 
trace 

0.008 
0.005* 
0.014 
0.004* 

0.0211 

0 

0.030 

0 

0 

0.0004* 

0.0007 

0.002 

0.024 

0 

0.001* 

0.022* 

0* 

0.0072 

0.019 

0.0002 

0 
0 

0.0002 
0.0004 

0.0038 

0.010 

0 

0 

0 

trace 

♦Refers  to  analyses  made  on  American  material. 


ACUTE  BICHLORIDE  OF  MERCURY  POISONING— A  REPORT 
OF  TWO  CASES  WITH  RECOVERY. 

Lepferts  Hutton,  M.D. 

The  following  two  cases  are  reported  on  account  of  the  apparently 
prevailing  custom  of  keeping  bichloride  of  mercury  "Blue  Tablets" 
near  the  fountain  syringe  to  prevent  conception.  Instead  of  using 
a  bichloride  douche,  the  tablet  (7y2  grains)  was  inserted  into  the 
vagina.  In  looking  over  the  literature  on  this  subject,  one  is  im- 
pressed with  the  small  number  of  cases  of  acute  poisoning  resulting 
from  this  practice. 

In  Germany  a  law  was  passed  in  1897,  making  all  cases  of  acute 
bichloride  of  mercury  poisoning  reportable.  During  the  next  9  years, 
101  cases  of  mercury  poisoning,  from  the  tablet  form,  were  reported, 
and  no  record  of  any  case  of  poisoning  from  the  insertion  of  the  tablet 
into  the  vagina.  The  official  report  for  the  past  5  years  has  not  yet 
been  published,  but  probably  the  result  will  be  the  same  as  in  the 
preceding  9  years.  The  sale  of  mercury  in  any  form  is  prohibited, 
except  on  a  physician's  order. 

In  England  and  her  colonies  the  writer  was  unable  to  find  any 
case  of  poisoning  by  this  method.  While  in  America,  where  any  one 
is  able  to  buy  the  "Blue  Tablets,"  7  cases  have  been  reported  in  the 
past  10  years.  To  this  collection  of  7  cases  the  author  wishes  to  add 
2  more,  as  follows : 

Patient.— Mrs.  B.;  38  years  old;  born  in  the  United  States;  occupation, 
housework.  Entered  St.  Luke's  Hospital  as  a  private  patient  of  Dr.  Henry 
S.  Patterson,  on  November  21,  1911,  giving  the  following  history: 

On  morning  of  admission,  at  about  2  A.  M.,  patient  inserted  a  7%-grain 
tablet  of  bichloride  of  mercury  in  her  vagina  to  avoid  conception.  Soon 
after  she  complained  of  intense  burning  sensation  in  that  region.  Later,  the 
patient  attempted  to  douche  herself,  without  much  success.  She  then  began 
to  realize  the  gravity  of  the  situation  and  came  to  the  hospital. 

On  entrance,  she  complained  less  of  the  pain  in  the  vagina  than  of  pe- 
culiar paresthesia  and  cramp-like  sensations  in  the  hands  and  feet.    She  was 

177 


178  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

not  salivated.  There  were  no  urinary  or  intestinal  symptoms.  Physical  ex- 
amination was  negative,  except  for  a  good  deal  of  redness  of  the  vulva,  with 
some  whitish  slough  and  a  sero-sanguinous  discharge  from  the  vagina. 

Vaginal  examination,  with  a  bivalve  speculum,  showed  the  mucous  mem- 
brane to  be  covered  with  a  whitish  slough— cervix  very  red. 

Treatment  and  Subsequent  Course.— The  treatment  consisted  of  force 
fluids,  alkaline  douche  3  times  a  day,  and  a  colon  irrigation  116°  twice  a  day. 

Blood.— W.  B.  B.  16,000.  Poly.  73.5.  Lymph  26.5.  Hgb.  90  per  cent.  Her 
urinary  excretion  ranged  from  64  to  144  ounces  a  day,  while  her  fluid  intake 
varied  from  112  to  196  ounces. 

Urine  Examination.— Alkaline,  sp.  gr.  1006-1008,  very  faint  trace  of  al- 
bumen, no  sugar,  a  very  few  hyaline  casts. 

Stools.— No  blood;  no  increase  in  number. 

Mouth. — No  ulcerated  areas ;  no  salivation. 

The  vagina,  under  the  alkaline  douches,  cleared  up  very  rapidly.  She  was 
discharged  cured,  7  days  after  onset. 

Mrs.  P.,  age  33,  born  in  Italy,  occupation  factory  hand,  entered  Dr.  S.  W. 
Lambert's  service  at  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  on  December  8,  1910,  with  the 
following  history: 

Chief  Complaint.— Pain  in  lower  abdomen  and  a  sore  mouth. 

Present  Illness. — Three  days  ago  was  seized  with  sudden  pain  in  lower 
portion  of  abdomen.  This  pain  was  sharp,  non-radiating,  worse  in  daytime, 
when  at  work  in  the  shop.  Vomited  twice  with  onset.  No  chills,  fever  nor 
cough.  Mouth  has  been  sore  for  the  past  3  days,  with  increased  salivation. 
Teeth  not  loosened.  Some  difficulty  in  eating — no  treatment  during  pres- 
ent illness. 

Past  history  was  negative.  Menstruated  2  weeks  previously ;  some  leu- 
corrhcea. 

Physical  Examination. — Breath  fetid,  foul-smelling.  Lips  dry  and  cracked. 
Sordes  on  teeth  and  gums.  Tongue  badly  coated — moderate  salivation.  No 
evidence  of  any  ulceration  in  mouth. 

Heart  normal.  Lungs  clear.  Abdomen — no  masses,  no  tenderness.  Liver, 
spleen,  kidneys  apparently  normal.  ♦ 

Vagina.— Yellow  and  dark  brown  sloughs  on  inner  side  of  each  labium 
majus.  Also  yellow  and  white  sloughs  on  both  sides  of  the  vaginal  canal. 
The  cervix  is  swollen  red,  except  the  places  which  are  covered  by  slough 
whitish  in  appearance.    A  bimanual  examination  was  not  made. 

Treatment  consisted  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  throat  irrigation.  Temper- 
ation  of  120°  every  3  hours.  Alkaline  vaginal  douche.  Colon  irrigation  of 
hot  saline. 

On  cross-examination,  patient  confessed  to  having  placed  two  bichloride  of 
mercury  tablets  in  her  vagina  3  days  previous  to  admission  and  had  not 
taken  any  treatment  previous  to  coming  to  hospital. 

Subsequent  History.— Her  vaginal  and  cervical  condition  slowly  healed. 
Her  urinary  excretion  ranged  from  18-30  ounces  a  day,  which,  on  repeated 
examination,  showed  a  high  sp.  gr.  1030.  No  albumen.  No  blood.  No 
sugar.    No  casts. 


BICHLORIDE  OF  MERCURY  POISONING  179 

Three  days  after  admission  patient  developed  an  ulcerative  stomatitis, 
which  slowly  healed. 

On  December  23d,  2  weeks  after  admission,  the  patient  demanded  her 
discharge  from  the  hospital.  At  this  time  she  had  some  pyorrhoea  along 
the  gums,  otherwise  her  mouth  had  healed.  Vaginally,  her  cervix  was  con- 
gested and  slightly  eroded.  Vagina  congested.  No  ulcers  seen.  Although 
not  entirely  cured,  she  insisted  upon  leaving  the  hospital,  which  was  re- 
luctantly granted. 


A    CASE    OF    LATENT    DISSECTING    ANEURISM    OF    THE 
AORTA  AND  RUPTURED  SACCIFORM  ANEURISM. 

Lefferts  Hutton,  M.D.,  and  J.  Gardner  Hopkins,  M.D. 

The  following  case  is  presented  on  account  of  the  unsuspected  find- 
ings at  autopsy. 

Mrs.  E.,  married,  age  52,  born  in  the  United  States,  occupation  housework, 
entered  the  hospital  March  25,  1911,  on  the  service  of  Dr.  Samuel  W.  Lambert 
She  gave  the  following  history : 

Chief  Complaint. — Cough,  fever,  and  pain  in  the  right  side. 

Present  Illness. — Eight  days  ago  the  patient  was  suddenly  seized  with  a 
severe  shaking  chill,  lasting  about  five  minutes.  This  was  followed  by  fever, 
a  dry,  hacking  cough,  headache,  and  prostration.  She  also  vomited  several 
times.  Twenty-four  hours  later  she  had  another  chill,  not  so  severe  as  the 
first.  This  was  followed  by  fever  and  a  sharp,  stabbing  pain  in  the  right  side, 
increased  by  coughing  and  deep  breathing.  Her  abdomen  felt  somewhat  sore, 
and  was  distended.  Since  onset,  the  patient  has  been  confined  to  bed,  without 
much  change  in  her  subjective  symptoms. 

Past  History. — She  had  an  attack  of  pneumonia  twelve  years  ago,  which 
lasted  eight  weeks.  She  has  had  winter  cough  for  several  years,  with  some 
shortness  of  breath  on  slight  exertion,  especially  marked  during  past  year. 

Menstruation  was  regular  up  to  four  years  ago,  when  menopause  occurred. 
One  child  was  stillborn  at  term.  No  miscarriages.  No  children  living.  No 
history  of  syphilis  obtainable. 

Habits. — Takes  two  cups  of  coffee  daily.     Does  not  use  alcohol. 

On  physical  examination,  we  found  a  well-nourished  woman,  who  did  not 
appear  acutely  ill.  She  had  moderate  dyspnea,  and  was  very  slightly  cyanotic. 
Her  cheeks  were  flushed.     She  had  no  herpes  and  no  jaundice. 

Eyes. — The  pupils  were  equal,  and  reacted  normally. 

Tongue  was  clean  and  moist  Throat  clear.  The  mucous  membranes  were 
normal.    Teeth  were  in  good  condition. 

Heart — The  apex  was  palpable  in  the  fifth  space,  14  cm.  to  left  of  the  mid- 
line. The  right  border  was  beneath  sternum.  The  first  sound  at  the  apex 
was  rough  and  impure ;  second  aortic  louder  than  second  pulmonic.  No 
murmurs  were  heard. 

Pulse. — Regular,  and  of  good  force.  There  was  a  slight  increase  in  tension, 
and  the  vessel  wall  was  palpable. 

Lungs. — Many  fine,  crepitant  and  moist  rales  were  heard  all  over  chest, 

180 


HEALED  DISSECTING  ANEURISM 


181 


front  and  back.  Posteriorly,  on  the  right  side,  between  the  scapula  and 
vertebral  column,  there  was  a  small  area  of  slight  dulness  with  bronchial 
breathing,  voice  and  whisper.    There  were  many  fine,  moist  rales. 

Abdomen. — Slightly  distended;  no  rigidity,  masses,  or  tenderness  made  out. 

Liver  and  spleen  did  not  percuss  large.    The  edges  were  not  felt. 

Extremities. — There  was  moderate  edema  of  legs. 


Fig.  1. — Diagram  showing  position  of  the  aneurisms  as  seen  from  behind. 
The  sac  of  the  false  aneurism  lies  in  front  of  the  blind  branch  of  the  dis- 
secting sac. 


On  admission,  her  temperature  was  101.3° ;  pulse  86 ;  respiration  26. 
"White  blood  cells  21,000;  polymorphonuclears  76  per  cent;  lympho- 
cytes 23  per  cent;  eosinophiles  1  per  cent;  hemoglobin  85  per  cent. 


182  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Urine  was  acid,  specific  gravity  1.020.  Very  faint  trace  of  albumin, 
no  sugar,  no  indican,  and  no  casts  found. 

For  the  next  six  days  her  temperature  slowly  dropped  from  102.3° 
to  99.4°.  Her  pulse  ranged  from  96  to  100,  and  her  respirations  from 
24  to  30.  During  this  time  the  patient  complained  several  times  of 
"pain  as  food  entered  the  stomach,"  although  she  took  fluids  very 
readily  and  in  large  quantities.  On  April  1,  seven  days  after  ad- 
mission, the  physical  signs  had  perceptibly  changed.  The  right  up- 
per lobe  had  almost  entirely  resolved;  the  right  lower  and  left  upper 
were  clear,  while  below  the  angle  of  the  left  scapula  there  was  an 
area  of  dulness  with  bronchial  expiration  and  voice,  and  fine,  sub- 
crepitant  rales  over  entire  lower  lobe,  indicating  a  beginning  con- 
solidation of  this  lung.  The  leucocytes  had  risen  to  25,000,  the  poly- 
morphonuclears were  80  per  cent.  Her  temperature  was  102° ;  pulse 
96,  and  respiration  24. 

During  the  next  five  days  patient  complained  of  lumbar  pain, 
which  was  relieved  by  either  the  hot-water  bottle  or  codeine  in  moder- 
ate doses,  and  was  thought  to  be  due  to  the  pleurisy.  The  physical  signs 
of  consolidation  became  more  evident.  The  leucocytes  ranged  from 
20,000  to  15,000,  the  polymorphonuclears  from  80  to  71  per  cent ;  tem- 
perature from  100°  to  101°,  pulse  from  86  to  98,  and  respiration  from 
24  to  28.  On  April  7,  seven  days  later,  the  physical  signs  consisted  of 
marked  dulness,  with  diminished  fremitus  and  distant  bronchial 
breathing,  from  angle  to  base.  Above  this  was  an  area  of  increased 
fremitus,  bronchial  breathing,  and  numerous  rales.  The  possibility 
of  an  empyema  was  discussed,  but  as  the  temperature  was  100.2°,  the 
leucocytes  only  11,000  with  68  per  cent  polynuclears,  and  the  general 
condition  of  the  patient  was  considered  good,  the  chest  was  not  ex- 
plored until  thirty-six  hours  later,  when  a  syringe  full  of  clear  fluid 
was  obtained  near  the  angle  of  the  scapula.  The  cytological  exami- 
nation showed  polymorphonuclears  3  per  cent,  and  lymphocytes  97 
per  cent. 

From  April  10  to  30,  the  physical  signs  of  fluid  remained  the  same. 
The  chest  was  explored  at  frequent  intervals  with  the  same  result; 
namely,  a  syringe  full  of  clear  fluid  was  obtained,  but  on  substituting 
a  cannula  and  suction  for  the  needle  only  a  few  cubic  centimeters  more 
were  obtained.  The  opinion  prevailed  that  there  were  multiple  small 
cysts,  which  were  aspirated  dry  at  each  exploration,  surrounded  by 
an  immensely  thickened  pleura. 

Three  days  before  her  death,  the  patient  began  to  regurgitate  solids, 


HEALED  DISSECTING  ANEURISM  183 

but  managed  to  retain  fluids.  This  regurgitation  remained  unaltered. 
The  idea  of  an  interlobar  empyema  still  prevailing,  the  chest  was 
again  explored  with  the  same  result:  2  e.c.  of  clear  fluid. 

Sixteen  hours  before  death  she  complained  of  severe  pain  in  the 
left  side,  which  was  unrelieved  by  codeine  or  heat.  During  the  early 
evening  she  was  restless  and  suffering  from  pain,  which  was  relieved 
by  codeine.  The  patient  then  slept  for  about  six  hours,  awakening 
with  severe  pain  between  the  ribs  on  the  left  side.    This  was  not  in- 


Fig.  2. — Diagram  showing  the  position  of  the  aneurisms  as  seen  in  cross 
section  through  the  trunk.  The  diaphragm  is  represented  by  the  double  line 
surrounding  the  liver. 

fluenced  by  codeine.  Thirty  minutes  later  her  pulse  suddenly  became 
weak  and  irregular,  and  her  skin  cold  and  clammy.  There  was  no 
dyspnea,  and  no  air-hunger,  patient  being  conscious  until  the  end. 
On  a  hurried  examination,  breath  sounds  could  not  be  heard  over 
left  lower  chest.  Patient  failed  to  respond  to  the  usual  hypodermic 
stimulation,  and  died  forty-five  minutes  after  onset  of  pain. 

The  autopsy  was  performed  the  day  after  death.  On  opening  the 
thorax,  the  anterior  portion  of  the  left  pleural  cavity  was  found  to  be 
filled  with  blood  clot  which  extended  about  the  root  of  the  lung  and 


184  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

up  over  the  apex,  amounting  to  600  c.e.  in  volume.  From  about  the 
mid-axillary  line  backward  the  lung  was  firmly  bound  down  to  the 
chest  wall  with  a  mesh  of  fibrin  2  em.  or  more  thick,  which  was  satu- 
rated with  a  turbid  yellow  fluid.  No  origin  of  the  hemorrhage  could 
be  found  about  the  upper  portion  of  the  pleura,  where  the  greater 
part  of  the  blood  was  collected.  In  the  left  upper  quadrant  of  the 
abdomen  a  large  mass  without  definite  boundaries  was  felt  behind  the 
peritoneum  and  above  the  left  kidney.  On  section,  this  mass  was 
found  to  lie  behind  the  posterior  portion  of  the  diaphragm,  and  to 
consist  of  a  large  false  aneurism  lying  between  the  diaphragm  and 
the  diaphragmatic  pleura.  The  aneurism  had  ruptured  upward  into 
the  pleural  cavity,  and  on  account  of  the  dense  adhesions  the  blood 
had  been  forced  upward  and  forward  around  the  root  of  the  lung. 
The  aneurism  opened  laterally  from  the  aorta  by  a  huge  gap  measur- 
ing 5  cm.  vertically  by  1  cm.  antero-posteriorly.  The  remnants  of  the 
arterial  wall  could  be  traced  out  for  a  distance  of  3  or  4  cm.  into  the 
wall  of  the  aneurism.  Beyond  this  point  the  sac  consisted  of  dense 
connective  tissue,  and  for  the  most  part  was  filled  with  firm  thrombus. 
It  extended  laterally  11  cm.,  practically  to  the  lateral  chest  wall,  and 
measured  11  cm.  vertically  by  5  cm.  antero-posteriorly. 

The  aorta  also  presented  two  other  aneurisms.  One  of  these  was 
a  fusiform  dilatation  of  the  ascending  aorta,  occupying  the  region  of 
the  fourth  sinus.    It  was  5.5  cm.  in  diameter. 

The  lesion  of  greatest  pathological  interest  was  a  healed  dissecting 
aneurism  which  involved  the  greater  part  of  the  descending  thoracic 
aorta.  Eleven  cm.  below  the  origin  of  the  left  subclavian  there  was 
a  small  opening  in  the  left  wall  of  the  aorta  through  which  a  probe 
could  be  passed  into  an  elongated  sac  in  the  wall  of  the  vessel.  This 
measured  2  cm.  in  average  diameter,  and  extended  about  2  cm.  above 
the  opening  into  the  main  vessel.  A  short  distance  (3  cm.)  below  this 
it  branched,  one  branch  communicating  by  a  small  opening  with  the 
neck  of  the  ruptured  aneurism  described  above,  the  other  lying  pos- 
terior to  the  neck  of  this  aneurism  and  ending  blindly  a  little  below 
the  level  of  the  celiac  axis.  The  total  length  of  the  sac  was  13  cm. 
The  lower  portion  of  the  blind  sac  was  filled  with  a  firm  thrombus. 
The  upper  part  of  the  lumen  was  free.  Some  portions  of  the  wall 
were  smooth  and  glistening,  other  portions  showed  atheromatous  and 
calcareous  plaques.  The  caliber  of  the  tube  was  irregular  and  the 
wall  showed  nodules  where  it  attained  a  thickness  of  14  mm.  It  did 
not  block  the  orifices  of  the  intercostal  vessels,  all  of  which  opened 


, 


Fig.  3. — Photomicrograph  showing  cleft  in  the  media  of  abdominal  aorta. 
Above  is  seen  an  atheromatous  area  in  the  intima  and  the  linnen  of  the  aorta. 

50  diameters. 


*•*£  -  .«*?•- 


Fig.  4. — Photomicrograph  showing  almost  complete  obliteration  of  one  of 
the  vaso  vasorum  of  the  aorta.  The  vessel  is  surrounded  by  plasma  cells 
and  lymphocytes.     2G0  diameters. 


HEALED  DISSECTING  ANEURISM  185 

posterior  to  it.  The  aorta  itself  showed  most  extreme  endarteritis, 
especially  in  the  lower  thoracic  and  abdominal  portions.  The  changes 
were  much  more  marked  than  is  usual  in  cases  of  aneurism.  There 
were  many  large  calcareous  plaques  with  sharp  edges,  between  which 
the  surface  was  deeply  ulcerated.  The  orifice  of  the  celiac  axis,  which 
lay  a  little  below  the  main  aneurism,  was  restricted  to  a  diameter  of 
2.5  mm.,  while  the  superior  mesenteric  just  below  this  was  dilated, 
measuring  7  mm.  across.  The  right  renal  artery  was  very  large,  while 
the  left  renal  was  much  contracted,  the  suprarenal  on  this  side  being 
unusually  large,  apparently  in  compensation.  These  vessels,  beyond 
their  origin,  showed  little  evidence  of  disease,  and  the  atheroma  was 
confined  chiefly  to  the  aorta. 

The  other  organs  showed  little  of  note.  The  heart  was  hypertro- 
phied  and  the  myocardium  showed  very  slight  evidence  of  fibrosis. 
The  aortic  ring  was  thick  and  calcareous,  but  not  appreciably  dilated. 
The  valve  leaflets  were  all  slightly  thickened,  but  appeared  competent. 
The  coronary  trunks  were  free.  The  lymph  nodes  about  the  aorta 
were  enlarged  to  a  diameter  of  one  to  two  centimeters.  They  were 
soft  and  homogeneous  on  section.  Many  of  them  were  closely  attached 
to  the  adventitia.  The  mesenteric  nodes  were  also  enlarged  to  a  less 
degree.  The  lungs  showed  edema  and  emphysema.  There  were  evi- 
dences of  chronic  passive  congestion  in  the  liver,  spleen  and  kidneys. 

Section  through  the  dissecting  aneurism  showed  that  it  lay  in  the 
media  of  the  aorta  between  the  internal  and  external  elastic  lamella?. 
The  elastic  fibers  of  both  these  lamellae  were  fragmented  and  partly 
replaced  by  hyaline  connective  tissue.  The  adventitia  was  very  thick. 
The  walls  of  the  vaso  vasorum  were  thickened  by  fibrous  tissue,  and 
the  endothelial  cells  were  swollen.  Some  of  the  veins  were  entirely 
occluded  by  masses  of  pus  cells.  The  vessels  were  surrounded  by  col- 
lections of  plasma  cells  and  lymphocytes.  Large  collections  of  these 
round  cells  were  found  elsewhere  in  the  adventitia,  but  none  of  the 
foci  contained  giant  cells  or  showed  central  necrosis.  Spirochaetae 
could  not  be  demonstrated  by  Levaditi's  method.  The  picture  was 
extremely  suggestive  of  syphilis,  but  did  not  warrant  an  absolute 
diagnosis.  The  intima  of  the  aorta  was  greatly  thickened  by  masses 
of  tissue  staining  faintly  with  eosin  and  containing  few  stainable 
nuclei.  There  were  areas  of  calcification.  The  inner  wall  of  the  dis- 
secting aneurism  showed  similar  degenerative  changes.  The  lumen 
was  lined  in  part  with  a  layer  of  flat  cells  resembling  endothelium. 

Similar  lesions  were  found  in  the  abdominal  aorta.     On  cutting 


186  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

this  vessel  after  fixation  splits  were  seen  in  the  wall,  apparently  not 
artifacts.  In  section  these  splits  were  seen  to  be  in  the  media  between 
the  two  elastic  lamellae.  The  clefts  were  traversed  diagonally  by 
strands  of  unruptured  fibers.    There  were  smaller  clefts  in  the  intima. 

Changes  of  this  type  were  first  referred  to  by  Rokitansky,  with 
some  reserve,  as  the  possible  cause  of  dissecting  aneurisms.  Recently 
Babes  and  Mironescu  described  a  very  similar  condition,  which  they 
termed  "dissecting  aortitis,"  in  two  cases  of  dissecting  aneurism.  It 
seems  highly  probable  that  the  degeneration  of  the  media  in  this  case, 
which  led  to  the  formation  of  large  splits  in  the  wall,  either  intra 
vitam  or,  under  very  slight  stress,  post  mortem,  explains  the  formation 
of  a  dissecting  aneurism.  The  perforation  of  an  atheromatous  ulcer 
in  the  intima  would  expose  this  weakened  portion  of  the  wall  and  the 
blood  would  then  force  its  way  along  this  zone  of  the  media  with 
very  little  resistance. 

A  healed  dissecting  aneurism  is  a  rare  lesion.  In  1896,  Adami  was 
able  to  collect  thirty  clearly  described  cases  and  five  other  probable 
cases  of  this  lesion.  In  the  literature  since  that  time  we  have  found 
six  cases.  There  are  doubtless  many  others  which  have  not  been  re- 
ported. Partial  rupture  of  the  aorta  with  the  formation  of  a  dissect- 
ing aneurism  is  relatively  not  uncommon,  especially  in  medico-legal 
work,  but  the  lesion  usually  terminates  fatally  within  two  or  three 
days.  The  most  common  point  of  rupture  is  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  aortic  ring,  and  the  sac  may  extend  well  down  into  the  iliac  ves- 
sels. It  may  end  blindly  or  may  establish  a  secondary  communication 
with  the  aorta.  If  the  patient  survives  the  first  shock,  a  blood  flow 
may  be  established  through  the  aneurism.  It  may  carry  a  fair  pro- 
portion of  the  blood  stream  and  some  of  the  large  branches  of  the 
aorta  may  originate  from  it.  These  healed  aneurisms  are  usually  lined 
with  a  fairly  well  developed  intima. 

Their  incidence  is  somewhat  late  in  life,  most  cases  being  between 
forty-five  and  fifty-five  years  of  age,  and  they  occur  in  females  about 
as  often  as  in  men.  Three  factors  are  concerned  in  their  production, 
probably  in  varying  degree  in  different  cases :  trauma,  arterial  disease, 
and  hypertension.  No  one  of  these  factors  is  constantly  present. 
Cases  of  rupture  have  been  reported  in  arteries  apparently  normal  in 
very  powerful  individuals  during  exertion.  On  the  other  hand,  cases 
where  the  heart  is  small  and  shows  brown  atrophy,  and  where  the 
blood  pressure  could  not  have  been  excessive,  may  rupture  if  the 
arterial  disease  is  marked.     Some  cases  have  developed  apparently 


«<* 


Fig.  5.— Photomicrograph  showing  endothelium  lining  the  dissecting  aneurism. 

200  diameters. 


HEALED  DISSECTING  ANEURISM  187 

while  the  patient  was  in  bed  being  treated  for  some  other  ailment,  so 
that  trauma  and  exertion  are  not  essential  features.  The  arterial 
changes  are  not  usually  so  extreme  as  in  this  case.  Degeneration  of 
the  media  is  probably  the  essential  feature.  It  is  possible  that  the 
"dissecting  aortitis"  mentioned  above  may  be  found  to  be  the  under- 
lying cause  in  most  cases. 

References. — Adami,  Montreal  Medical  Journal,  1896,  xxiv,  945 ;  and  xxv,  23. 
Babes  and  Mironescu,  Beitrage  f.  path.  Anat.  (Ziegler),  1910,  xlviii,  221. 
Rokitansky,  Lehrb.  d.  path.  Anat,  1855,  3d  edition. 


REPORT  OF  A  CASE  OF  CHRONIC  ULCERATIVE  COLITIS, 
WITH  SIGNS  AND  SYMPTOMS  OF  ADDISON'S  DISEASE. 

Edward  N.  Packard,  M.D. 

Service  of  Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D. 

A.  M. — Housemaid,  German,  aged  51,  widow.  Admitted  August  9,  1911. 
Died  October  25,  1911. 

History  on  Admission. — Chief  Complaint:  Vomiting,  pains  in  legs,  cramps 
all  over  body,  and  loss  of  strength. 

Family  History. — Father  died,  aged  56,  of  rheumatism ;  mother,  at  57,  dur- 
ing menopause.  Three  brothers  and  one  sister  all  living  and  well.  Hus- 
band was  killed  in  an  accident.    No  tuberculosis  in  family. 

Past  History.— Has  had  no  children,  no  miscarriages.  Has  always  been 
healthy  except  for  colds,  etc.  Diseases  of  childhood  not  remembered.  Menses 
irregular  for  18  months. 

Personal  Habits.— Drinks  about  a  cup  of  tea  with  a  meal.  No  beer  or 
whiskey;  always  worked  fairly  hard  until  present  illness. 

Present  Illness.— About  2  months  ago,  at  time  of  her  menses,  patient  was 
very  nauseated  and  vomited  a  great  deal,  and  this  has  persisted  until  present 
time.  About  10  days  later,  patient  began  to  have  cramps  in  different  parts 
of  the  body.  Then,  lately,  has  been  losing  strength,  and  her  head  and  body 
feel  as  if  they  were  too  heavy  for  her  legs.  Her  appetite  has  been  very 
poor  all  summer,  and  she  has  lost  a  good  deal  of  weight.  Patient  complains 
of  nervousness,  which  has  been  growing  more  marked.  About  3  weeks  ago 
a  rash  appeared  on  lower  part  of  extremities;  this  has  gradually  extended 
upward. 

Physical  Examination.— Patient  is  a  large  woman,  who  has  evidently  lost 
some  weight,  the  skin  hanging  loosely  on  body.  Pt.  does  not  appear  acutely 
ill.  No  dyspnoea,  cyanosis,  or  jaundice.  The  skin  is  of  fair  color,  except 
following  named  spots,  where  skin  appears  darker  than  normal :  eyelids,  neck, 
armpits,  hands  and  wrists,  nipples,  navel,  inguinal  regions,  external  geni- 
tals, and  membrane  of  vagina.  There  is  no  pigmentation  of  mucous  mem- 
brane of  throat  or  cheeks.  On  arms,  chest  and  legs  is  a  raised  eruption 
composed  of  small  papules,  in  places  confluent,  and  in  other  places  partially 
circinate.  This  eruption  is  of  a  slight  reddish  tinge  and  feels  lumpy.  The 
eruption  itches,  and  in  places  the  top  of  the  papule  is  scratched  off. 

Eyes.— Pupils  equal  and  react. 

188 


ULCERATIVE  COLITIS  SIMULATING  ADDISON'S  DISEASE       189 

Tongue.— Clean. 

Throat— Negative. 

Teeth  and  Gums.— In  rather  poor  condition. 

Chest— Good  development,  fair  expansion. 

Heart.— No  localized  apex  impulse.  Sounds  heard  best  in  5th  space, 
Sy2  inches  from  m.  1.  Left  border  4  inches  out.  Sds.  of  good  quality ;  no  mur- 
murs or  accentuations  heard. 

Pulse.— Regular,  fair  size  and  force;  vessel  wall  not  thickened. 

Lungs. — At  rt.  post,  base,  there  are  a  few  sub-crepitant  rales  heard  on 
deep  inspiration. 

Abdomen.— Normal. 

Extremities. — K.  J.  not  obtained.  Very  slight  edema.  Some  muscular 
weakness.    No  paralysis  or  atrophy. 

After  the  patient's  admission  to  the  hospital,  she  vomited  daily  for  a 
week.  The  test-meal  showed  a  low  total  acid  and  no  free  Hcl.  Her  gastric  symp- 
toms gradually  improved.  Occasionally,  throughout  her  sickness,  she  vomited 
and  complained  of  gastric  distress.  The  patient  had  blood  in  the  stool  almost 
constantly.  The  movements  were  never  watery,  but  were  of  a  brown  fluid 
character  containing  clots  of  blood.  She  never  had  more  than  5  stools  a 
day.  Often  for  days  no  blood  was  seen.  She  had  periods  of  constipation. 
Her  weight  for  2  months  varied  but  little,  averaging  125  pounds,  but  for 
a  few  days  before  death,  her  weight  fell  to  110  pounds.  The  blood  count 
was  normal,  except  for  5%  eosinophiles.  Parasites  were  not  demonstrable. 
Rectal  examinations  were  negative,  and  no  definite  cause  for  probable  ulcera- 
tion could  be  found.  The  urine  1012,  trace  albumen,  no  sugar,  few  hyaline 
and  granular  casts.  On  admission,  a  trace  of  indican.  Wassermann  reaction 
negative.  For  3  days  preceding  her  death  the  temperature  was  94°.  The 
autopsy  revealed  a  chronic  ulcerative  colitis  of  an  extent  not  appreciated  while 
she  was  under  observation. 

This  case  also  presented  the  following  interesting  features:  signs  and 
symptoms  of  Addison's  disease,  an  extensive  eruption,  and  a  suppurative 
skin  lesion. 

As  noted  in  physical,  there  were  fairly  well  marked  areas  of  pigmen- 
tation. These  areas  gradually  paled  out,  except  in  axillae.  The  brown  skin 
of  hands  desquamated  during  skin  eruption  described  below.  The  skin  of 
whole  body  was  darker  than  the  average  normal  individual's,  but  patient 
said  her  skin  had  always  been  of  dark  hue.  She  had  lowered  vaso-motor 
tone  with  blood  pressure  in  95  Hg.  For  a  while  she  was  able  to  sit  in  a  chair, 
but  later  her  weakness  increased  rapidly  until  her  death.  The  gastric 
contents  showed  low  total  acid  and  no  free  Hcl,  also  absence  of  knee-jerks, 
found  in  cases  of  Addison's  disease.  The  autopsy  showed  no  pathological 
change  in  the  suprarenals. 

The  eruption  noted  in  physical  gradually  spread  until  the  whole  body,  in- 
cluding the  face,  was  involved.  The  eruption  gave  a  diffuse,  dusky  red, 
slightly  raised  appearance.  Margins  indefinite.  In  places  it  was  lumpy.  It 
itched.  No  vesicles  or  crusts  formed.  No  exudation.  It  gradually  faded, 
the  skin  desquamating  in  fine  particles. 


190  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

At  about  the  time  the  eruption  was  disappearing,  small  superficial,  pain- 
ful lumps  appeared  in  axillae.  These  contained  pus  and  were  opened.  The 
suppuration  became  extensive  and  the  patient  was  transferred  to  the  surgical 
ward.  The  count  was  17,000,  P.  87.5,  L.  12.5,  E.  1.  Later,  small  punched- 
out  ulcers  with  irregular,  overhanging  edges,  and  bases  covered  with  exuda- 
tion, appeared  in  pubic  region.  Also  numerous  small  pustules  on  eyelids, 
end  of  nose,  and  anterior  chest.    At  one  time,  35  abscesses  were  counted. 

Before  her  death,  fine  crackling  rales  were  general  over  both  lungs.  The 
blood  count  was  35,000,  P.  92,  which  was  explained  at  autopsy.  The  whole 
suppurative  process  probably  secondary  to  the  ulcerative  colitis. 

Autopsy  Findings :  Body  of  middle-aged  woman,  appears  somewhat  emaci- 
ated, cheeks  sunken.  In  axillae  are  several  ulcers  y2  cm.  in  diameter,  with 
raised  thickened  edges  and  thick  purulent  exudate  on  granulating  base.  On 
tip  of  nose  and  at  inner  canthus  of  left  eye  are  pustules  covered  with  crusts. 
There  are  a  number  of  healing  ulcers  similar  to  those  in  axilla?  in  pubic 
region,  and  one  or  two  more  over  anterior  surface  of  chest.  Also  two  scars 
on  chest  of  healed  ulcers.  There  is  a  diffuse  brownish  pigmentation  of  the 
skin  most  marked  in  the  axillae. 

Peritoneum.— Shows  minute  black  flecks  beneath  the  parietal  surface  and 
the  omentum  is  of  dull  grayish  color. 

Pleurae. — Following  the  line  of  several  intercostal  arteries  are  similar 
streaks  of  pigment  beneath  the  pleura.  Dome  of  diaphragm  reaches  to  3d  rib 
on  either  side. 

Lungs  (390  gms.,  450  gms.).— Voluminous  and  rather  firm  at  bases.  Apices 
punctured  with  old  scars  but  show  no  active  tuberculosis.  Bronchi  inflamed 
and  contain  creamy  pus.     Bronchial  nodes  enlarged  and  black. 

On  section  right  lung  shows  numerous  miliary  abscesses  filled  with  creamy 
pus  scattered  throughout  lower  lobe.  The  left  shows  a  few  similar  abscesses 
and  numerous  patches  of  gray  granular  consolidation.  Except  for  these 
patches,  the  lungs  are  moist,  and  considerable  fluid  is  readily  expressed  from 
the  cut  surface. 

Heart  (330  gms.).— Small,  covered  with  thick  layer  of  yellow  fat.  Muscle 
brown.  Cavities  filled  with  chicken-fat  clot.  Valves  normal.  A  ring  of 
atheromatous  thickening  about  base  of  aorta,  and  numerous  patches  in  the 
coronary  trunks.    Coronaries  tortuous. 

Spleen  (90  gms.).— Normal  size,  soft.     Malpigian  bodies  distinct. 

Kidneys  (60  gms.,  75  gms.).— Very  small  capsule  strips  readily  leaving 
smooth  surface.  Cortex  thick,  of  pasty,  very  pale  yellow  color;  markings 
not  well  made  out;  medulla  normal. 

Suprarenals. — Left  softened  by  post-mortem  change.  Right  appears  quite 
normal. 

Bladder.— Normal. 

Uterus.— Cervix  filled  with  mucus.  Wall  contains  a  few  small  fibroid 
nodules. 

Adnexa.— Normal. 

Liver  (1,096  gms.).— Normal  size.  Pale  and  mottled,  with  bright  yellowish 
areas.     Gall  bladder  contains  thin  turbid  bile.     Wall  not  thickened.     Small 


ULCERATIVE  COLITIS  SIMULATING  ADDISON'S  DISEASE       191 

stone  impacted  in  mouth  of  cystic  duct,  but  bile  may  be  expressed  into  duode- 
num. 

Pancreas.— Largely  replaced  by  fatty  tissue.  Islands  of  pancreatic  tissue 
appear  normal. 

Intestines. — Small  bowel  normal  throughout.  At  ileo-caecal  valve  is  ulcer 
•with  thickened  base  which  throws  it  upward  into  the  lumen,  and  along  en- 
tire ascending  colon  are  similar  ulcers  about  2  or  4  cm.  by  0.5  cm.  with  long 
axis  running  around  the  gut.  They  do  not  appear  to  penetrate  the  muscu- 
laris,  which  is  greatly  thickened  so  as  to  throw  the  ulcer  into  the  lumen  like 
a  fibrous  ridge.  A  few  thickened  spots  with  beginning  ulceration  at  the 
center  are  found  in  the  descending  colon.  The  retroperitoneal  nodes,  near 
the  caecum  and  to  right  of  vertebrae,  are  enlarged,  soft,  and  uniform  deep  black 
on  section.  The  nodes  in  the  mesentery  are  softened,  semi-fluid  and  brownish. 
The  panniculus  was  well  developed,  4-6  cm.  thick,  and  composed  of  intensely 
yellow  fat. 

Anatomical  Diagnosis.— Chronic  ulcerative  colitis,  chronic  parenchymatous 
nephritis,  left  broncho-pneumonia,  miliary  abscesses  of  both  lungs,  subacute 
cholecystitis,  multiple  ulcers  of  skin. 

Bacteriological. — Smears  and  cultures  from  lung  abscesses  showed  Gram- 
positive  staphylococci  in  pure  culture. 


PNEUMOCOCCUS    SEPTICEMIA. 

A.  E.  Neergaard,  M.D. 
Service  of  Austin  W.  Hollis,  M.D. 

Miss  M.  D.,  domestic,  age  21.  Patient  in  Minturn  III,  from  Novem- 
ber 6,  1911,  to  November  7,  1911.  Diagnosis — Pneumococcus  septicemia ;  con- 
genital pulmonary  stenosis.    Result— Died. 

Tbe  patient  was  admitted  at  night,  sent  in  with  a  diagnosis  of  typhoid 
fever.  She  died  a  few  hours  later,  before  complete  examination  had  been 
made  and  before  the  clinical  data  could  be  collected.  Hence  the  incom- 
pleteness of  the  following  records. 

History  on  Admission.— The  only  facts  obtained  from  the  patient  were, 
that  she  had  been  suffering  for  8  days  with  headache  and  backache,  with  a 
fever  varying  from  101°-103°.  She  had  coughed  considerably,  at  times 
raising  blood. 

Physical  examination  showed  a  fairly  well-developed  and  well-nourished 
young  woman,  acutely  ill.  Her  respirations  were  rapid  and  she  was  mark- 
edly cyanotic,  but  did  not  suffer  from  orthopnea. 

Her  pupils  were  equal  and  reacted  normally.  She  had  internal  strabis- 
mus. The  tongue  was  coated.  No  cervical  rigidity.  Her  chest  was  well 
developed,  with  good  expansion. 

Heart. — Apex  impulse  in  fifth  space,  about  5  inches  out.  No  thrills.  The 
sounds  were  embryonic  in  character,  the  heart  action  irregular.  Almost 
masking  the  heart  sounds,  and  heard  all  over  the  precordium,  transmitted 
to  both  chests  anteriorly  and  posteriorly,  was  a  loud,  harsh  systolic  murmur, 
heard  with  greatest  intensity  in  the  pulmonic  area.  The  pulse  was  irregu- 
lar, of  fair  size  and  poor  force.  The  lungs  showed  no  abnormality  other 
than  a  few  rales  at  the  bases  posteriorly.  Her  abdomen  and  extremities 
were  normal. 

The  abnormal  findings  at  the  autopsy  were  as  follows: 

Pericardium.— Contained  170  c.c.  clear  yellow  fluid.  An  irregular  patch 
of  fibrin  about  2  cm.  in  diameter  was  firmly  adherent  to  the  posterior  sur- 
face of  the  right  ventricle. 

Heart.— Weight  555  gms.  The  left  auricle  was  very  small,  the  right  much 
dilated,  while  the  right  ventricle  was  greatly  hypertrophied,  its  wall  measur- 
ing 2.3  cm.  in  thickness.  The  tricuspid  valve  measured  11.5  cm.  Its  cusps 
were  normal.  The  pulmonary  orifice  barely  admitted  the  tip  of  the  little 
finger,  and  measured  2%  cm.     One  cusp  showed  3  small  areas,  each  about 

192 


PNEUMOCOCCUS  SEPTICEMIA  193 

3  mm.  in  diameter,  of  reddish  color,  with  rough,  irregular  surface,  due  ap- 
parently to  a  recent  process.  Otherwise,  the  cusps  were  normal.  The  left 
auricle  and  ventricle  were  both  small.  The  mitral  valve  measured  10  cm., 
the  aortic  7  cm.  Their  cusps  were  normal.  The  left  ventricular  wall  meas- 
ured V/2  cm.  in  thickness.  The  coronaries  were  normal.  Foramen  ovale  and 
ductus  arteriosus  not  patent. 

Lungs. — Pleuritic  adhesions  and  several  small,  hard,  calcareous  nodules 
at  the  right  apex.  At  the  anterior  portion  of  the  right  base  was  a  small, 
firm  area  (25  cm.  in  diameter),  dark  red,  and  raised  above  the  surrounding 
surface  with  fairly  sharp  demarcation  from  the  adjoining  tissue.  A  vessel 
leading  to  this  area  was  apparently  occluded  by  a  thrombus.  In  the  upper 
posterior  portion  of  the  right  lower  lobe  and  in  the  anterior  portion  of  the 
left  lower  lobe  were  similar  areas,  but  no  thrombosed  vessels  found. 

Liver.— Weight  960  gms.  Surface  very  irregular.  Capsule  thick.  Liver 
substance  very  firm  on  section,  generally  yellowish,  with  small  red  dots, 
broken  up  by  heavy  bands  of  connective  tissue. 

Spleen.— Weight  240  gms.    Fairly  firm,  deep  red,  trabecular  prominent. 

Kidneys. — Weight,  right  157  gms.,  left  180  gms.  Capsule  stripped  with 
considerable  difficulty,  tearing  away  a  portion  of  the  tissue.  Cut  surface, 
opaque  white  with  red  markings. 

Uterus.— 11.5  x  5.5  x  3  cm.     Cavity  contained  small  amount  of  blood  clot 

Findings  in  other  organs  insignificant. 

Anatomical  Diagnosis.— Congenital  pulmonary  stenosis;  acute  endocarditis 
of  the  pulmonary  valve;  cardiac  hypertrophy  and  dilatation;  hydropericar- 
dium;  infarction  of  the  lungs;  healed  pulmonary  tuberculosis;  chronic  primal 
congestion  of  liver  and  spleen;  chronic  diffuse  nephritis. 

Bacteriological  Diagnosis.— Smears  from  the  pulmonary  valves  showed 
Gram  +  diplococci ;  smears  from  the  uterus  showed  Gram  +  diplococci  and 
Gram  +  bacilli ;  culture  from  the  spleen  was  negative. 


Children's  Service 


CHILDREN'S   SERVICE  FOR   1911 


Se 

X 

Results 

DISEASES    DUE    TO    MICRO-ORGANISMS 

INFECTIVE   DISEASES 

e 

"3 

a 

•a 

U 

s 
0 

> 
0 
u 
0. 

a 

> 
0 

a 

a 

d 
P 

s 

■ 

"3 
0 
Eh 

Cerebrospinal   meningitis 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

Diphtheria 

4 
2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 

"  i 
l 

4 
1 

1 

-'*2 

"i 
2 

2 

1 

5 

3 
1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 
1 
2 

2 

2 

4 

1 

2 

1 
1 

1 
1 

8 

1 

1 

Syphilis  (congen.),  mucous  patches  around  anus. 

1 

Syphilis    (congen.),   secondary,   circinate  syphil- 

1 

1 
2 

1 

Tuberculosis  of  lungs,  indigestion,  otitis  media, 

1 

Tbc.   meningitis,   general   miliary  the,   ruptured 

8 

1 
1 
4 

1 

2 

10 
1 

"7 
1 

1 

1 

3 

7 

1 

ALIMENTARY   SYSTEM 

INTESTINES 

Colitis    

15 

2 

30 

"i 
..  „ 

13 

1 
1 

"2 

19 

'  i 
1 

1 

17 

1 

8 

1 

5 

13 

1 

45 
2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

12 

6 

1 

1 

25 

1 

2 

1 
5 

1 
1 

1 
1 

3 

3 

1 
2 

1 

1 

4 
1 

7 

1 

'  i 

1 

'  i 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

10 

PHARYNX 

27 

20 
1 

27 

1 

9 

1 

47 
1 

Retropharyngeal    abscess,    acute    rhinitis,    acute 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

2 
1 

2 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

5 

197 


198 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


ALIMENTARY  SYSTEM — Continued 

<1> 

a 

fa 

d 

a 

P 

-a 

s 

0 

STOMACH 

1 
2 

'  i 

2 

1 
2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

1 

5 
1 

5 

1 

CARDIOVASCULAR    SYSTEM 

BLOOD 

7 

1 

3 

1 

9 

1 

s   1 

10 
1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

HEART 

Mitral  insufficiency  and  stenosis,  tricuspid  insuffi- 

Pericarditis,  mitral  insufficiency,  ascites 

Pericarditis,  mitral  insufficiency,  chorea,  fibrinous 

3 

3 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
'    "2 

1 

Rheumatic  endocarditis,  aortic  and  mitral  insuffi- 

1 

1 
2 

1 

2 

3 

1 

LYMPH    GLANDS 

5 

4 

1 
1 

6 

1 

9 
1 

NERVOUS   SYSTEM 

BRAIN 

1 

1 

1 
1 





1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

DISEASES    OF    THE    MIND 

3 

1 

4 

1 
1 

1 

1 

NERVOUS    DISEASES    OF   UNKNOWN   ORIGIN 

2 
4 

3 

1 

4 

2 



2 

7 

1 

SPINAL    CORD 

4 
1 

4 

4 
1 

8 
1 

1 

1 

"i 
1 

1 

1 

"i 

1 

1 

OSSEOUS   SYSTEM 

BONES 

1 
1 
2 

1 

1 

Rickets 

1 
1 

2 

1 

Rickets,    tetany,    laryngismus    stridulus,    gastro- 

1 

RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM 

BRONCHI 

3 

5 

3 
3 

2 

8 

4 

6 

8 

PEDIATRIC  STATISTICS— 1911 


199 


RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM— Continued 

a 

6 

0. 

a 

P 

•a 

s 

0 

EH 

Bronchi — Cont. 
Bronchitis,  eczema 

1 
""i 

l 

1 

Bronchitis  (acute),  inguinal  hernia,  rickets.... 
Laryngitis,  pertussis 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

Spasm  of  larynx,  asphyxia,  tetany 

1 

1 
1 

1 

3 
1 

1 

1 

LUNGS 

Abscess  of  lung 

7 

5 

1 

9 

2 

1 

12 

1 

Atelectasis,  prematurity 

1 
1 
4 

1 

*2 

1 

"2 

1 

1 

1 

Pneumonia  (broncho-) 

6 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  ac.  colitis 

1 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  inguinal  hernia 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  meningitis 

1 

Pneumonia   (broncho),  otitis  media,  conjunctivi- 
tis, eczema,  inflammation  of  Meibonian  gland 

1 

1 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  pericarditis 

1 

1 
1 

9 

1 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  pertussis 

1 

Pneumonia  (broncho-),  pertussis,  otitis  media... 

1 

3 

1 

1 

PLEURA 

Pleurisy  with  effusion 

13 

1 
2 

4 

3 

1 

2 

17 
1 

3 

3 

ORGANS  OF  SENSE 

ORGAN    OF    HEARING 

Otitis  media,  ac.  mastoiditis,  septic  meningitis..  . 
Otitis  media,  malnutrition 

3 
1 

1 
2 

1 
1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 
2 

Otitis  media,  malnutrition,  broncho-pneumonia. . 

1 

1 
1 

1 

Otitis  media,  nephritis 

1 

1 

Otitis  media,  scurvy,  pertussis 

1 
2 

2 

1 

TEGUMENTARY  SYSTEM 
Chronic  ulcer  of  neck,  malnutrition 

4 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

2 
1 

'  i 

2 

"i 
1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

6 
1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

URINARY   SYSTEM 

KIDNEY 

5 
1 

2 

"i 
1 

4 

1 

1 

2 

1 

7 
1 

1 

Pyelitis,  chronic  constipation 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

2 

'  i 

2 

1 

1 

1 

3 

CONGENITAL  MALFORMATIONS 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
3 

1 

DEFORMITIES 
Flat  foot 

3 
1 

1 

1 

1 

4 
1 

1 

1 

1 

200 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


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a 

fa 

u 

a 

a 

d 

P 

0) 

5 

4J 

o 

INTOXICATIONS  AND  POISONS 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

INJURIES 

2 

2 

MISCELLANEOUS  CONDITIONS 

1 

4 

1 

1 

2 

1 
1 
1 
4 

4 

1 

2 

1 

2 

i 
l 

2 
6 

2 

1 

1 

4 

1 
1 

8 

8 

i 

1 

1 

1 

11 

9 

14 

3 

3 

20 

Orthopedic  Service 


ORTHOPEDIC  SERVICE 


DISEASES  OF  THE   SPINAL  CORD 


T3 

O) 

t3 

o> 

> 

a 

& 

ti 

•a 

a 

a 

£> 

5 

Paralysis  (ant.  tibial) 

Poliomyelitis  (anterior) 

Poliomyelitis  (ant.),  paralysis. 


DISEASES    OF   THE   BONES 


Fracture  of  femur  (malunion)  ....... 

Fracture  of  hip  (ununited),  nephritis. 

Fracture  of  tibia 

Rickets,  bow-legs,  knock-knees 

Potts'  disease 


DISEASES  OF  THE  JOINTS 

Osteo-arthritis  of  ankles,  knees,  elbows,  wrists  and  fingers. 

Pneumococcus  arthritis  of  hip 

Pneumococcus  epiphysitis 

Septic  arthritis  of  hip  and  knee 


CONGENITAL  MALFORMATIONS 


Dislocation  of  hip 

Malformation  of  femur. 
Spondylolisthesis 


DEFORMITIES 


Genu  varum 

Genu  valgum 

Hallux  valgus 

Muscle-bound  feet 

Pes  planus 

Stiffness  of  elbow  joint  following  fracture. 

Talipes  equino  varus 

Talipes  equino  valgus 

Torticollis 

Ingrowing  toe-nail 


DISEASES   DUE   TO   MICRO-ORGANISMS 


Tuberculous  arthritis  of  hip 

Tbc.  arthritis  of  knee 

Tbc.  osteitis  of  hip 

Tbc.  osteitis  of  hip,  pulmonary  tbc 

Tbc.  osteitis  of  knee 

Tbc.  osteitis  of  spine 

Tbc.  osteitis  of  spine,  hips  and  both  knees. 


203 


4 
1 

2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 

15 


4 
1 
7 
1 
2 
2 
1 

18 


AN  OPERATION  FOR  SECURING  MOTION  IN  ANKYLOSIS 
OF  THE  ELBOW  DESIGNED  TO  PREVENT  THE  SUB- 
SEQUENT OCCURRENCE  OF  FLAIL  JOINT. 

T.  Halsted  Myers,  M.D. 

All  the  older  surgeons  insisted  upon  the  removal  of  large  amounts 
of  bone,  both  from  the  humerus  and  the  ulna  and  radius  if  the  ob- 
ject was  to  secure  a  movable  joint  after  resection  of  the  elbow.  One 
and  a  half  inches  was  about  the  distance  that  should  separate  the 
ends  of  the  bones.  Since  the  introduction  of  the  method  of  interpos- 
ing between  the  bones,  a  flap  of  fascia  and  fat,  or  muscle,  or  animal 
membrane,  it  has  not  been  considered  necessary  to  remove  so  much 
bone.    For  instance : 

Goldthwaite,  Painter  and  Osgood,  writing  in  1909,  advise  as  follows,  page 
248 :  Open  the  joint  by  the  posterior  incision.  Preserve  the  attachment  of 
the  triceps  to  the  fascial  expansion  over  the  upper  part  of  the  ulna.  Subperios- 
teal exposure  of  the  condyles  of  humerus  and  the  olecranon.  Condylar  sur- 
faces removed  by  saw,  elbow  flexed  and  ends  of  radius  and  ulna  pushed  up 
into  the  wound,  where  they  can  be  reached  easily.  It  is  desirable  to  turn  in 
a  flap  of  fascia  or  fat,  obtained  from  the  neighboring  tissues.  Arm  put  up  in 
internal  angular  splints  for  two  or  three  weeks.  Then  gentle  passive  and  active 
motion  permitted.  In  two  months  a  fairly  good  functional  result  may  be 
expected.  In  some  cases  there  will  be  too  much  lateral  motion  at  the  false 
joint,  rendering  the  articulation  more  or  less  unstable.  To  control  this  a 
jointed  leather  splint,  permitting  flexion  and  extension,  but  holding  the  ends 
of  the  humerus  and  ulna  together  so  that  they  cannot  slip  past  each  other 
laterally,  has  been  employed. 

Kocher,  Operative  Surgery,  1911,  p.  317,  pays  considerable  attention  to 
the  conservation  of  the  lateral  ligaments.  The  external  lateral  ligament, 
with  the  attachment  of  the  extensor  tendons,  and  the  capsule  attached  to 
the  external  condyle  are  separated  subperiosteal^.  If  complete  resection  is 
to  be  performed,  after  dislocating  the  joint,  the  internal  lateral  ligament  is 
separated  subperiosteal^,  along  with  the  muscles,  from  the  inner  border  of 
the  ulna  and  the  internal  condyle  of  the  humerus,  and  the  ends  of  the  bones 
are  removed.  In  separating  the  lateral  ligaments  it  is  better  to  remove  a 
shell  of  bone  along  with  them,  so  as  to  preserve  their  attachment  to  the 
periosteum.    The  best  results  are  obtained  by  interposing  the  supinator  longus. 

Binnie,  Operative  Surgery,  1912,  p.  996,  prefers  operating  as  follows :  With 
osteotome,  separate  olecranon  from  humerus.  Remove  most  of  olecranon. 
Divide  bony  tissue  uniting  humerus  to  ulna  and  radius.     Completely  divide 

205 


206 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


lateral  ligaments.  Flex  elbow  acutely.  With  Gigli  saw  remove  small  portion 
of  lower  end  of  humerus.  Remove  articular  surface  of  ulna,  and  model  a 
new  sigmoid  cavity.  If  necessary,  remove  part  of  head  of  radius.  Divide  any 
bony  tissue  uniting  radius  to  ulna,  if  possible  preserving  iinnular  ligament. 
Smooth  and  shape  opposing  surfaces  of  radius  and  ulna.  Interpose  flap  of  fat, 
fascia  and  muscle.  Trim  edges  of  humerus.  Cover  its  lower  end  and  one 
inch  of  both  anterior  and  posterior  surfaces  with  flap  of  fat,  fascia  and  muscle 
(anconeus,  extens.  carp.  Ulnaris,  etc.).  Stitch  this  in  place.  Close  wound 
with  drainage. 


Fig.  1. — Tubby,  Deformities,  including  Diseases  of  Bones  and  Joints,  1912, 
removes  rather  more  bone,  including  the  epicondyle  and  epit.hrochlea,  the  olecra- 
non and  its  articular  surfaces,  and  part  of  the  head  of  the  radius,  making  a 
gap  of  iy2  inches  at  least  between  ends  in  an  adult.  He  interposes  a  strip 
of  the  anconeus  between  humerus  and  radius  and  ulna,  and  winds  a  strip  of 
the  extens.  carpi  rad.  long,  about  radius,  between  it  and  the  ulna. 

As  to  the  best  material  to  interpose  between  the  freshened  ends 
of  the  bones :  While  foreign  bodies,  such  as  plates  of  magnesium,  ivory, 
etc.,  seem  to  have  been  generally  discarded,  many  surgeons  are  using 
flaps  of  fat  fascia  and  muscle  from  the  neighboring  parts. 

Aponeurotic  flaps  are  too  feebly  nourished  with  blood  to  undergo 
transformation  into  bursal  tissue,  which  is  considered  desirable  (Hu- 
guier,  Paris,  1905).  Baer,  writing  in  the  American  Journal  Ortho- 
pedic Surgery,  August,  1909,  says : 

"In  a  majority  of  cases  the  interposition  of  living  tissues  is  followed  by  a 
constant  pain,  due  to  pressure  upon  its  nerve  endings.  While  we  may  attain 
a  certain  degree  of  motion  by  the  interposition  of  muscle  or  fascia,  the  motion 
is  generally  unnatural  in  character,  and  quite  often  results  in  an  unstable  joint 
The  membrane  which  I  use  is  from  the  pig's  bladder,  and  is  chromicized,  so  as  to 
remain  intact  about  forty  days.     This  is  thin  and  pliable  enough  to  allow  of 


Fig.  '2. — Skiagraph  of  right  elbow  taken  a  year  after  operati 


Fig.  3. — Skiagraphs  of  left  elbow  taken  a  year  after 
operation. 


ANKYLOSIS  OPERATION  WITHOUT  FLAIL  JOINT  207 

easy  adjustment  within  the  joint,  and  will  remain  there  beyond  the  period  of 
bone  or  fibrous  formation." 

Transplantation  of  living  cartilage  (Weglowski,  Centralblatt  fur 
Chir.  1907,  No.  17)  in  the  treatment  of  ankylosis,  and  transplantation 
of  an  entire  living  joint  (Buehmann,  Centralblatt  fur  Chir.,  1908,  No. 
19)  have  not  been  done  sufficiently  often  to  enable  one  to  estimate 
their  value. 

The  operation  I  wish  to  describe  is  in  line  with  the  tendency  to 
sacrifice  as  little  bone  as  possible,  by  the  interposition  of  animal  mem- 
brane, and  to  especially  preserve  the  leverage  of  the  muscles  about  the 
elbow,  and  prevent  too  great  relaxation  of  the  joint. 

In  the  early  part  of  1910  I  saw  a  girl,  fifteen  years  of  age,  most  of  whose 
joints  were  partially  or  completely  ankylosed  by  an  infectious  osteoarthritis, 
which  had  attacked  her  ten  years  previously.  The  deformities  resulting  had 
been  corrected,  and  the  joints  manipulated,  several  times,  under  anaesthesia, 
by  different  men,  after  the  active  stage  of  the  disease  had  subsided;  but  the 
ankyloses  gradually  recurred.    Nothing  had  been  done  for  the  past  five  years. 

As  there  were  no  signs  of  active  disease,  and  both  elbows  were  ankylosed 
at  140°,  but  pronation  and  supination  were  fairly  good,  and  as  she  had  a  little 
motion  in  her  fingers,  and  about  half  the  normal  amount  in  her  shoulders,  I 
decided  to  try  to  mobilize  her  elbows,  as  that  would  enable  her  to  feed  and 
dress  herself. 

May  21,  1910.  Ether.  After  Esmarch  bandage  had  been  applied,  the  right 
elbow  was  exposed  by  a  vertical  incision  down  to  the  bone,  along  the  outer 
edge  of  triceps  tendon  and  olecranon  process.  The  triceps  tendon  was  freed 
from  the  process  for  about  an  inch,  but  its  periosteal  attachment  not  divided. 
All  the  soft  tissues  were  then  retracted  en  masse,  with  periosteum,  to  the  outer 
and  inner  sides  of  the  joint,  but  only  as  far  as  the  condyles.  The  ulna  nerve 
was  displaced  inward  to  the  edge  of  the  condyle.  This  dissection  gave  free 
access  to  the  posterior  part  of  the  joint,  and  a  truncated  wedge-shaped  section 
of  the  lower  middle  part  of  the  humerus  was  removed  easily  with  chisel.  The 
joint  was  then  forced  to  a  right  angle  position,  and  the  rest  of  the  bone 
attached  to  head  of  radius  and  to  ulna  was  removed  with  rongeurs,  and  all 
surfaces  made  smooth.  Cargile  membrane  was  then  placed  in  front,  under 
and  behind  the  edges  of  the  humerus.  The  ulna  nerve  was  replaced,  and  the 
wound  closed  without  drainage.  A  plaster  splint  was  applied  from  fingers 
to  neck,  the  elbow  being  held  at  80°,  in  mid  position  between  pronation  and 
supination. 

Eighteen  days  later,  first  dressing.  Primary  union.  Elbow  passively  flexed, 
without  pain,  to  40°,  and  extended  to  135°.  Elbow  then  fixed  at  40°.  Ulna 
anaesthesia  noted  at  first  is  less  marked.  Two  weeks  later  a  sling  was  sub- 
stituted for  cast,  and  child  encouraged  to  use  the  arm. 

In  September  the  anaesthesia  had  disappeared  entirely,  and  the  elbow  had 
a  range  of  motion  from  150°  to  30°,  and  about  15°  of  both  pronation  and 
supination. 


208  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

October  3,  1910,  the  same  operation  was  done  on  the  left  elbow,  with 
the  exception  that  the  incision  was  carried  down  the  inner  side  of  the  olecra- 
non, in  order  to  make  the  approach  to  the  ulna  nerve  more  direct.  This  nerve 
was  not  displaced  at  all,  but  was  subjected  to  rather  severe  pressure  by  the 
retractors,  which  may  account  for  the  anaesthesia  In  this  case  The  joint  was 
found  in  about  the  same  condition  as  the  right  had  been,  and  was  treated  in 
the  same  way,  but  instead  of  Cargile  membrane,  Johnson  and  Johnson's 
chromicised  pig's  bladder  (Baer's  membrane))  was  used  to  cover  the  edges 
of  the  humerus.  Wound  then  closed,  without  drainage,  and  elbow  fixed  at 
80°  by  plaster  splint  extending  from  fingers  to  neck. 

Nine  days  later  cast  was  removed.  Primary  union.  Cast  reapplied.  Oct. 
20th,  cast  permanently  removed.  Extension  to  120°,  flexion  to  60°  possible,  but 
more  pain  and  resistance  than  in  previous  case.  Ulna  anaesthesia.  Sling  ap- 
plied ;  massage  and  passive  motion  ordered  daily.  Position  to  be  changed 
each  day. 

Dec.  6,  1910.  The  child  has  very  good  use  of  the  right  elbow,  and  can  feed 
herself  and  reach  all  parts  of  her  head.  The  left  elbow  can  be  extended  to 
140°  and  flexed  to  40°,  but  is  still  somewhat  tender,  though  each  week  less  so. 
The  ulna  anaesthesia  is  still  present. 

March,  1912.  Report  received  from  this  child  states  that  in  the  left  arm 
the  range  of  motion  is  from  145°  to  60°,  with  pronation  and  supination  of  15° 
each.  In  the  right  elbow  the  range  of  motion  is  from  135°  to  40°,  with  an 
equal  amount  of  pronation  and  supination.  There  is  still  some  ulna  anaesthesia 
in  left  hand.    The  child  can  dress  herself  without  assistance. 

The  object  of  this  method  of  remodeling  the  joint  is  to  remove  the 
opposing  bone  surfaces  a  considerable  distance  from  each  other,  and 
yet  not  destroy  the  strength  of  the  articulation,  as  is  generally  done 
when  the  lateral  ligaments  are  divided,  and  the  condyles,  the  attach- 
ments of  the  pronators  and  flexors  on  the  inner  side,  and  the  extensors 
on  the  outer  side  are  removed.  In  the  usual  operation  of  excision, 
the  posterior  support  and  leverage  of  the  olecranon  is  also  destroyed. 
In  this  operation  the  ligaments  on  all  sides  of  the  joint  are  preserved. 

The  operation  may  not  be  suitable  for  tubercular  cases  which  have 
become  ankylosed,  but  seems  to  meet  the  requirements  in  joints  anky- 
losed  from  any  of  the  acute  infections,  or  from  the  various  forms  of 
atrophic  or  hypertrophic  osteo-arthritis,  and  in  some  cases  of  ankylosis 
after  fracture  about  the  joint  with  deformity  and  excessive  callous 
formation. 

The  enclosed  sketch  shows  the  amount  of  bone  removed;  that  part 
included  by  the  heavy  lines. 

The  skiagraphs  taken  Nov.,  1910,  show  marked  changes  in  the  joints, 
and  also  how  little  can  be  learned  from  such  a  picture  about  the 
amount  of  motion  possible  in  that  joint. 


Otological  Division 


THE  RADICAL  OPERATION  WITH  THE  APPLICATION  OF 

THE  PRIMARY  SKIN-GRAFT,  FOR  THE  RELIEF   OF 

CHRONIC  MIDDLE-EAR  SUPPURATION— WITH 

REPORT  OF  CASES. 

Edward  Bradford  Dench,  M.D. 

I  have  already  written  so  fully,  on  previous  occasions,  upon  this 
subject,  that  an  article  of  the  same  character,  in  the  St.  Luke's  Hos- 
pital Reports,  may  seem  rather  out  of  place.  The  fact,  however,  re- 
mains that  in  spite  of  the  excellent  results  obtained  in  cases  of  chronic 
middle-ear  suppuration  by  the  radical  operation,  with  the  application 
of  a  primary  skin-graft,  many  surgeons  still  hesitate  to  resort  to  this 
procedure. 

I  beg,  therefore,  to  report  two  cases  which  I  have  operated  upon 
in  St.  Luke's  Hospital  during  the  last  few  months,  which  demonstrate 
clearly  the  very  excellent  results  which  may  be  secured  by  this  op- 
eration : 

The  first  patient  was  a  boy,  aged  11,  who  had  suffered  from  a  chronic 
discharge  from  the  right  ear  for  7  years.  The  boy  was  anaemic,  his  general 
condition  being  much  below  normal,  although  no  causes  other  than  that  of 
the  persistent  aural  suppuration  could  be  found  to  account  for  the  impaired 
general  health.  An  examination  of  the  right  ear  showed  an  extensive  de- 
struction of  the  membrana  tympani,  with  granulation  tissue  present.  This 
granulation  tissue  evidently  had  its  origin  in  the  tympanic  vault.  A  por- 
tion of  the  internal  wall  of  the  middle  ear  was  dermatized.  The  low  whisper, 
upon  the  right  side,  was  heard  only  at  4".  There  was  no  evidence  of  any 
labyrinthine  involvement.  On  October  24th  the  radical  operation  was  per- 
formed. The  mastoid  cells  were  well  developed,  and  extensive  caries  was 
found  throughout  the  entire  mastoid.  This  caries  extended  posteriorly  to  the 
sinus  groove,  and  the  lateral  sinus  was  exposed  during  the  operation. 

The  complete  radical  operation  was  performed,  all  the  mastoid  cells  were 
obliterated,  and  the  mastoid  cells,  middle  ear  and  external  auditory  meatus 
were  thrown  into  one  large  cavity  by  the  taking  down  of  the  posterior  meatal 
wall.  Particular  care  was  given  to  the  obliteration  of  the  hypotympanic 
space  by  lowering  the  level  of  the  floor  of  the  external  auditory  meatus, 
while  the  posterior  tympanic  space  was  obliterated  by  carefully  removing 

211 


212  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

the  posterior  canal  wall,  as  far  backward  as  possible,  without  injury  to  the 
facial  nerve.  The  nerve  was  exposed  by  this  procedure,  but  not  injured. 
The  external  auditory  meatus  was  enlarged  by  cutting  a  tongue-shaped  flap 
from  the  concha.  Cartilage  and  connective  tissue  were  removed  from  this 
flap,  and  the  flap  was  then  folded  backward  and  upward  and  stitched  to 
the  raw  area  on  the  posterior  aspect  of  the  auricle.  The  operation  cavity 
was  then  exsanguinated  by  firmly  packing  it  with  a  strip  of  gauze  saturated 
in  a  solution  of  adrenalin  chloride,  of  a  strength  of  1-1,000.  All  superficial 
hemorrhage  was  controlled  by  ligatures.  The  entire  cavity,  formed  by  the 
exenteration  of  the  mastoid  and  middle  ear,  was  then  lined  with  two  Thiersch 
grafts. 

Ordinarily,  one  graft  is  used  to  line  this  cavity,  but  it  was  impossible, 
owing  to  the  small  thigh  of  the  patient,  to  obtain  a  single  graft  large  enough 
for  this  purpose.  The  grafts  were  laid  over  the  bone  and  made  to  apply 
themselves  exactly  to  the  irregularities  of  the  surface  by  introducing  a 
pipette  beneath  the  grafts,  and  then  exhausting  the  air.  This  procedure 
permits  the  graft  to  adapt  itself  to  the  irregularities  of  the  bony  surface. 
The  grafts  were  held  in  position  by  small  pledgets  of  sterile  cotton  packed 
into  the  cavity.  The  posterior  wound  was  then  closed  completely,  and  a 
third  graft  was  applied  to  the  meato-conchal  margin,  the  graft  being  held 
in  position  by  a  light  packing  of  sterile  gauze.  The  operation  was  com- 
pleted by  the  application  of  a  sterile  dressing.  The  sutures  in  the  posterior 
wound  were  taken  out  on  the  second  day,  and  the  pledgets  holding  the 
graft  in  position  were  removed  about  5  days  after  the  operation.  The 
grafts  adhered  perfectly,  and  the  ear  was  completely  dry  3  weeks  from  the 
time  of  operation.  Two  and  a  half  months  after  the  operation  the  whis- 
pering distance  on  the  right  side  was  3  feet. 

The  operation,  in  this  case,  was  a  perfect  success,  all  discharge 
from  the  ear  having  ceased  3  weeks  after  the  operation,  and  the 
hearing  having  been  greatly  improved. 

The  second  case  was  that  of  a  young  man,  25  years  of  age.  When  2 
years  old  both  ears  discharged.  There  was  no  further  aural  trouble  until 
8  years  before  I  saw  the  patient,  when  both  ears  again  discharged.  For 
the  past  8  years  there  had  been  an  intermittent  discharge  from  each  ear 
whenever  the  patient  had  a  severe  cold  in  the  head.  Two  weeks  before  I 
saw  the  patient,  the  left  ear  began  to  discharge  rather  profusely,  and  there 
was  some  pain  in  the  ear.  Upon  examination,  a  large  perforation  was  found 
in  the  right  drum  membrane,  with  partial  dermatization  of  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  middle  ear.  The  ear  was  perfectly  dry.  Examination  of 
the  left  side  revealed  some  purulent  discharge  in  the  left  auditory  canal,  a 
large  perforation  involving  the  lower  portion  of  the  drum  membrane  and 
the  internal  wall  of  the  middle  ear  was  swollen;  there  was  slight  sinking  of 
the  upper  and  posterior  wall  of  the  external  auditory  meatus,  close  to  the 
drum  membrane,  and  a  sinus  leading  into  the  tympanic  vault.  The  low 
whisper  was  heard  23  feet  upon  the  right  side  and  5  feet  upon  the  left  side. 
The  patient  had  a  temperature  of  about  100°  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day 


RADICAL  OPERATION  IN  MIDDLE-EAR  SUPPURATION  213 

upon  which  I  first  saw  him.  There  was  no  labyrinthine  involvement  demon- 
strable, except  that  the  left  labyrinth  was  slightly  hyperaesthetic  to  the 
galvanic  current.  While  the  patient  had  no  severe  pain,  there  was  a  con- 
tinued feeling  of  discomfort  in  the  ear,  and  5  days  after  I  first  saw  him,  the 
radical  operation  was  performed.  The  periosteum  covering  the  mastoid  was 
considerably  thickened,  and  there  was  considerable  caries  in  the  mastoid 
cells.  This  caries  was  particularly  well  marked  over  the  roof  of  the  tym- 
panum and  mastoid,  and  it  was  necessary  to  expose  the  dura  in  this  region 
before  all  diseased  bone  was  removed.  The  dura  was  slightly  congested. 
The  radical  cavity  was  formed  in  exactly  the  same  manner  as  in  the 
previous  case,  the  hypotympanic  space  being  obliterated  by  removal  of  the 
floor  of  the  canal,  while  the  posterior  tympanic  space  was  also  effaced  by 
the  careful  removal  of  the  posterior  canal  wall,  close  to  the  facial  nerve. 
The  meatal  flap  was  formed  in  the  same  manner  as  described  in  the  first 
case.  The  entire  bony  cavity  was  covered  by  a  single  Thiersch  graft,  held 
in  place  by  pledgets  of  sterile  cotton.  The  posterior  wound  was  closed  and 
a  meatal  graft  applied.  In  2  weeks'  time  the  middle  ear  was  perfectly  dry, 
and  the  low  whisper  was  heard  at  a  distance  of  15  feet  in  the  operated  ear.. 

These  two  cases,  operated  upon  within  a  period  of  six  weeks,  show" 
the  results  that  can  be  obtained  in  chronic  middle-ear  suppuration  by" 
operative  interference.  They  are  simply  examples  of  a  series  of 
nearly  200  cases,  operated  upon  by  the  writer,  in  the  same  manner.. 
At  the  International  Otological  Congress,  held  at  Bordeaux,  in  1904, 
the  author  reported  98  cases,  operated  upon  by  this  method.  Since 
that  time,  I  should  say  that  an  equal  number  of  cases  had  been  sub- 
jected to  operation.  With  the  perfection  of  technique,  the  results  in 
later  cases  have  naturally  been  better  than  in  those  cases  operated 
upon  at  an  earlier  period,  and  I  believe  that  now  we  can  promise  any 
patient  suffering  from  a  chronic  middle-ear  suppuration,  not  only  a 
perfectly  satisfactory  result,  as  far  as  the  otorrhcea  is  concerned,  but 
also  a  satisfactory  result  as  to  the  preservation  of  function  of  the 
organ.  The  only  exception  which  I  would  make  to  this  latter  state- 
ment, is  in  those  rare  instances  where,  in  spite  of  an  aural  discharge, 
the  hearing  is  exceptionally  good.  In  these  cases,  the  hearing  may 
become  somewhat  impaired  as  the  result  of  the  operation.  In  those 
cases,  however,  in  which,  as  the  result  of  the  suppurative  process,  the 
hearing  is  greatly  impaired,  we  can  ordinarily  promise  the  patient  an 
improvement  in  hearing  if  he  will  submit  to  the  operation.  This  fact 
is  borne  out  in  the  two  cases  already  reported. 

In  a  short  article  of  this  character,  it  would  hardly  be  wise  for 
me  to  discuss  the  dangers  of  chronic  middle-ear  suppuration.  It  may 
be  well,  however,  to  repeat  the  statistics  which  I  mentioned  in  my 


214  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

paper,  read  at  Bordeaux.  These  statistics  were  as  follows:  The 
records  of  the  New  York  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  for  8  consecutive 
years,  showed  that  19,323  cases  of  suppurative  otitis  media  were 
treated  in  that  institution.  During  this  time  there  were  218  cases  of 
severe  intracranial  complications.  In  other  words,  one  patient  out 
of  every  88  suffering  from  middle-ear  suppuration,  suffered  also  from 
some  severe  intracranial  complication  demanding  operative  interfer- 
ence. 

These  statistics  are,  I  think,  sufficient  to  show  how  frequently  a 
middle-ear  suppuration  causes  some  intracranial  complication.  The 
radical  operation  naturally  removes  all  danger  of  subsequent  intra- 
cranial involvement,  and  if,  at  the  same  time,  we  can  promise  the 
patient  that  the  function  of  the  organ  will  not  be  seriously  impaired 
as  the  result  of  operative  interference,  we  certainly  are  justified  in 
recommending  this  procedure  in  all  cases  of  intractable  middle-ear 
suppuration. 


Pathological  Department 


A  NEW  ERA  IN  MEDICINE  IN  NEW  YORK. 

F.  C.  Wood,  M.D. 

(Address  given  in  Chicago,  March,  1911,  before  the  Alumni  of 
Columbia  University.) 

As  most  of  you  are  aware,  the  educational  problems  before  the 
colleges  of  this  country  are  many  and  complex.  A  growing  appreci- 
ation of  the  difficulties  to  be  met  is  rapidly  awakening,  not  only  in  the 
teacher  but  also  in  the  public,  some  doubt  as  to  the  perfection  of 
our  methods  and  distrust  as  to  the  ultimate  results  as  shown  in  the 
finished  product,  the  college  graduate.  The  problems  are  not  wholly 
financial,  as  many  seem  to  think;  they  lie  far  deeper  in  the  innate 
spiritual  qualities  of  the  American  race.  Never  has  a  people  so  pa- 
tiently tried  to  demonstrate  that  money  will  solve  all  problems  of 
politics,  art,  or  education,  as  our  own.  Never  has  a  failure  been  so 
complete  and  absolute.  We  do  not  yet  fully  appreciate  that  money 
will  buy  neither  loyalty,  scholarship,  nor  genius,  but  only  industry, 
no  matter  with  how  lavish  a  hand  it  be  distributed.  A  faint  glim- 
mering of  light  has  occasionally  penetrated  the  darkness  when  some 
incomprehensible  foreigner  has  refused  to  abandon  a  comfortable 
teaching  position  in  his  native  land  for  twice  the  salary  and  one-tenth 
of  the  appreciation  he  now  enjoys.  Because,  with  the  expenditure 
of  a  few  millions,  a  model  manufacturing  plant  can  be  created  in  a 
year  or  two,  people  still  seem  surprised  that  the  loyalty  of  a  teaching 
body  to  a  university  and  that  intangible  thing  called  tradition  may 
be  more  valuable  than  much  money;  that  the  poorest  paid  and  least 
known  of  the  professors  within  a  college's  walls  may  have  a  world- 
wide reputation,  while  the  specialist  purchased  at  a  high  price  from 
a  rival  institution  seems  chiefly  known  to  the  readers  of  the  illus- 

217 


218  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

trated  editions  of  the  Sunday  newspapers,  in  which  he  publishes,  in 
popular  form,  the  preliminary  reports  of  investigations,  the  final 
results  of  which  rarely  appear  in  print.  It  is  not  necessary  to  cite 
examples  before  such  an  audience.  But  the  fact  must  not  be  forgotten 
that  too  often  we  think  that  a  little  more  money  would  cure  all 
academic  ills,  while  really  a  thorough  organization  of  the  work  of  an 
already  existing  loyal  and  harmonious  staff  of  teachers  would  accom- 
plish quite  as  much. 

But  what  of  Columbia  ?  As  graduates  of  the  varied  schools  of  that 
institution,  you  may  ask  what  message  I  bear?  Have  we  mistaken 
size  for  greatness  or  bartered  a  good  name  for  newspaper  notoriety? 
I  can  honestly  say,  No.  The  growth  of  the  University  has  been  re- 
markable, but,  in  general,  wholesome,  and  its  efficiency  as  a  teaching 
institution  is  in  every  way  better  than  in  the  previous  decade.  The 
most  interesting  changes  of  recent  years  in  any  department  have 
been  in  the  Medical  School,  long  famous  as  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons.  The  educational  future  of  the  institution  has  so  re- 
cently been  assured  by  an  unusual  combination  of  circumstances, 
coupled  with  a  wise  and  generous  gift  of  funds,  that  I  shall  confine 
my  remarks  chiefly  to  this  aspect  of  the  University's  growth. 

As  some  of  you  may  know,  Columbia,  on  behalf  of  its  Medical 
Department,  is  about  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  the  Presby- 
terian Hospital,  one  of  the  largest  private  hospitals  in  New  York,  by 
which  a  much  closer  relationship  is  to  be  consummated  than  has 
hitherto  existed  between  any  of  the  New  York  schools  and  hospitals, 
an  arrangement  which  permits  the  nomination  by  the  College  of  the 
incumbents  of  the  clinical  and  laboratory  services  of  the  Hospital. 
In  return  for  this  permission,  which  carries  with  it  the  use  of  the 
patients  in  the  wards  for  the  teaching  of  students,  the  College  agrees 
to  care  for  the  scientific  work  of  the  hospital,  the  various  heads  of  the 
purely  laboratory  departments  becoming  ex-officio  responsible  for  the 
hospital  work  in  their  special  fields.  How  great  a  change  this  is,  and 
how  much  it  means  for  the  future  of  Columbia  may  not,  at  first  sight, 
be  very  obvious,  but  I  may  safely  say  it  promises  a  new  era  in  Amer- 
ican medicine.  It  may  seem  a  small  thing  as  compared  with  the  op- 
portunities which  have  been  enjoyed  by  the  English  and  German 
schools,  by  Johns  Hopkins,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  by  several  of  the 
Philadelphia  medical  colleges.  And  yet,  it  is  the  beginning  of  what 
may  make  New  York  City,  as  it  should  be,  but  is  not,  one  of  the  great 
medical  centers  in  this  country.    A  short  statement  of  the  past  and 


A  NEW  ERA  IN  MEDICINE  IN  NEW  YORK  219 

present  position  of  the  Medical  School  may  bring  more  clearly  before 
you  what  the  new  arrangement  means. 

Up  to  the  year  1891,  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
though  nominally  connected  with  Columbia  University,  was  really  a 
proprietary  institution,  though,  through  the  generosity  of  the  Van- 
derbilt  family,  it  had  been  equipped  with  buildings  which  at  that 
time  were  ample  for  its  needs.  Even  then,  however,  it  was  felt  that 
the  school  required  a  closer  intellectual  relationship  with  Columbia 
University,  then  beginning  that  remarkable  expansion  which  has  cul- 
minated in  the  great  educational  institution  of  some  7,000  students 
now  existing  in  New  York.  An  agreement  leading  to  closer  union 
was  therefore  carried  out,  and  in  1901  the  College  was  placed  prac- 
tically under  the  absolute  control  of  Columbia.  In  the  meantime, 
much  new  construction  had  taken  place,  in  order  to  bring  the  labora- 
tories up  to  modern  standards.  Through  the  generosity  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  D.  Sloane,  the  Sloane  Maternity  Hospital  was  even  then  a 
model  institution  for  the  teaching  of  obstetrics.  It  has  since  become, 
in  the  past  year,  by  the  erection  of  a  new  pavilion,  a  complete  Frauen- 
klinik,  to  use  an  expressive  German  term ;  that  is,  obstetrics  and  gyne- 
cology are  united  in  this  hospital  for  women.  In  this  phase  of  its 
work  the  school  has  always  had  all  that  it  could  desire.  The  Vander- 
bilt  Clinic  also  has  been  a  model  for  out-patient  work,  with  a  clientele 
so  enormous  that  it  has  been  difficult  even  to  care  for  the  patients, 
some  50,000  a  year,  much  less  to  study  each  one  carefully.  Yet  these 
were  the  only  sources  of  clinical  material  for  instruction  absolutely 
under  the  school  control. 

These  changes,  begun  20  years  ago,  seemed  to  place  the  college  in 
a  very  strong  position,  especially  as  its  faculty  included  most  of  the 
abler  clinicians  visiting  the  large  hospitals.  The  condition  of  the 
scientific  department  has  always  been  excellent,  and  the  teachers  in 
those  subjects  are  well  known  the  world  over.  I  have  only  to  recall 
the  names  of  Prudden,  Curtis,  Cheesman,  Hiss,  Gies,  Huntington, 
Richards,  Herter  and  MacCallum  to  your  minds.  But  despite  the  pres- 
ence of  able  men  in  the  departments  of  medicine  and  surgery,  the  feel- 
ing has  been  growing  stronger  in  recent  years  that  they  have  lacked 
something  that  the  laboratories  possessed,  that  is  a  full  control  of  their 
teaching  material.  It  is  only  too  true  that  while  the  laboratory  in- 
vestigators of  this  generation  are  justly  famous,  the  clinical  teachers 
in  this  country,  as  compared  with  those  of  Germany,  have  contributed 
but  little  to  the  science  of  medicine.     The  surgeons,  it  is  true,  have 


220  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

been  ingenious,  and  have  devised  and  perfected  many  operative 
methods  now  generally  employed;  but  surgery  is  spectacular;  it  at- 
tracts endowments.  Surgeons  usually  can  obtain  from  hospital  man- 
agers equipment  costing  many  thousands  of  dollars,  when  the  medical 
staff  can  hardly  get  a  microscope,  much  less  a  polygraph.  Surgery 
is  so  definite,  so  positive,  and,  one  may  say,  so  simple  a  field,  that  the 
surgeon  has  occupied  the  foreground  in  this  country  to  the  detriment 
of  the  physician.  American  surgery  to-day  is  technically  the  best 
in  the  world,  but  medical  research  is  still  in  its  infancy. 

The  reasons  for  this  are  many :  First,  we  do  not  obtain  in  medicine 
the  definite  results  that  the  surgeon  does.  We  do  not  so  evidently 
save  lives.  The  general  public  suspects,  and  quite  justly  so,  that  many 
of  the  cures  in  medicine  are  due  to  fresh  air,  good  nursing,  and  the 
healing  power  of  nature,  and  not  so  much  to  the  drugs  administered. 
On  the  other  hand,  it  is  quite  a  simple  matter  for  even  a  mediocre 
operator  to  remove  an  inflamed  kidney,  or  a  diseased  ovary,  or  a 
tumor  of  the  breast,  and  obtain  satisfactory,  even  brilliant  results. 
The  physician  works  under  different  conditions.  No  one  can  claim 
to  cure  chronic  Bright 's  disease.  Both  kidneys  are  usually  affected, 
and  before  a  diagnosis  is  possible  and  any  treatment  instituted  the 
organs  have  undergone  serious  and  permanent  changes.  The  treat- 
ment of  cardiac  lesions  is  a  palliative  one.  We  help  the  heart  to  do 
what  it  is  trying  to  do  naturally.  We  put  the  patient  in  bed  and 
give  the  hard-worked  muscle  a  needed  rest.  We  regulate  the  diet, 
and,  if  need  be,  give  cardiac  stimulants.  Nature  does  the  rest.  But 
we  do  not  effect  the  permanent  cure  of  many  forms  of  heart  disease. 
So,  too,  with  many  infectious  diseases.  Our  powers  are  as  yet  ex- 
tremely limited.  I  may  merely  mention,  as  examples,  pneumonia  and 
tuberculosis.  Our  great  victories  over  the  latter  are  those  of  fresh 
air,  good  food,  and  prevention  of  the  distribution  of  the  virus.  This 
brings  us  to  the  second  reason  why  medical  research  in  this  country 
has  not  prospered.  For  the  investigation  of  disease  in  human  beings, 
a  laboratory  is  necessary,  and  this  laboratory  is  one  in  which  the 
scientifically  trained  physician  can  study  patients.  Much  can  be  done 
by  means  of  animal  experimentation,  but  dog  medicine  will  never 
replace  human  medicine.  The  ordinary  laboratory  animals  do  not 
suffer  spontaneously  from  the  diseases  in  which  we  are  most  inter- 
ested. In  fact,  many  of  the  important  conditions  cannot  be  induced 
in  animals  with  any  certainty.  Therefore,  while  sufficient,  and  in 
some  instances,  ample  facilities  have  been  given  pathologists,  chem- 


A  NEW  ERA  IN  MEDICINE  IN  NEW  YORK  221 

ists,  bacteriologists,  and  even  surgeons,  the  physician  has  long  strug- 
gled with  poor  equipment,  insufficient  laboratory  space,  and  lack  of 
access  to  patients  whom  he  can  control.  In  other  words,  the  medical 
school  could  offer  no  facilities  for  research  in  medicine,  as  it  had  no 
laboratories  for  such  study;  that  is,  no  hospital.  A  third  reason  is 
that  in  general  in  this  country  there  is  no  credit  given  and  no  financial 
reward  offered  for  even  the  best  medical  research;  the  prizes  go  to 
the  man  with  a  large  general  practice. 

Not  a  little  criticism  has  been  directed  for  years  toward  hospital 
managers  for  closing  the  doors  of  hospitals  to  those  who  desired  to 
study  disease  in  the  wards  as  they  are  studying  disease  in  the  labora- 
tory, and  for  giving  appointments  on  the  visiting  staff  to  men  who 
are  purely  practitioners  of  medicine,  and  not  investigators ;  and  many 
comparisons  have  been  made,  to  the  disadvantage  of  this  country, 
with  the  great  opportunities  existing  in  Germany,  which  are  open 
not  only  to  the  Germans,  but  to  any  volunteer  who  is  willing  to  give 
a  reasonable  amount  of  time  in  the  wards.  It  is  possible  for  any 
well  equipped  young  American  physician  to  go  to  Munich,  for  in- 
stance, and,  if  he  will  spend  six  months,  to  enter  the  wards  of  the 
great  Fr.  Miiller,  and  there  study  patients  in  a  way  which  he  cannot 
hope  to  do  in  America.  Even  the  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  is  more 
or  less  closed  to  outsiders,  because  of  the  necessity  of  using  its  ma- 
terial for  its  own  students.  But  the  young  man  comes  back  from 
Munich  full  of  enthusiasm  and  scientific  interest,  and  desirous  of  the 
same  facilities  that  he  has  enjoyed  there,  only  to  find  the  doors  of 
the  hospitals  closed  against  him.  The  great  municipal  hospitals  can 
offer  no  advantages  to  the  student  of  scientific  medicine;  they  are 
poorly  equipped,  the  scientific  staff  underpaid  and  overworked,  and 
the  executive  staff  still  too  largely  under  political  domination — so  the 
crowded  ranks  of  the  practitioners  receive  another  recruit. 

And  yet  there  is  another  side  to  the  question.  The  managers  of 
a  private  hospital  are  given  money  to  be  expended  in  the  care  of 
patients.  They  are  trustees  of  this  money,  and  consequently  cannot 
spend  it  as  freely  as  they  could  if  the  hospital  were  run  on  purely 
business  principles.  They  can  try  no  experiment,  risk  no  cent  of  their 
funds.  In  consequence,  the  private  hospital  lags  behind  even  the 
municipal  institution  in  advancing  medical  science,  and  falls  far  short 
of  what  is  and  always  can  be  accomplished  by  a  private  institution 
not  dependent  for  its  future  upon  donations.  Then,  too,  it  is  im- 
possible to  turn  loose  in  the  wards  a  large  number  of  undergraduate 


222  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

students.  They  are,  in  their  enthusiasm,  apt  to  over-examine  and 
annoy  a  patient.  It  is  difficult,  for  example,  to  keep  an  interesting 
ease  of  malaria  in  a  ward ;  every  student  and  interne  wishes  to  have 
a  blood  slide  for  his  own  collection.  The  hospital  has  to  protect  these 
people  by  limiting  the  number  of  students  to  each  ward.  It  is  difficult 
to  convince  them  that  they  gain  weight  and  strength  by  repeated  punc- 
tures of  their  fingers.  So,  too,  in  gynecological  work,  it  is  impossible  to 
have  a  large  number  of  men  examine  a  woman  patient.  In  acute  ap- 
pendicitis the  fewer  people  who  palpate  the  abdomen  the  better  for 
the  patient.  The  course  of  a  severe  pneumonia  is  not  improved  by 
having  twenty  men  listen  to  the  patient 's  chest.  So  that  the  managers 
have  a  great  deal  on  their  side,  and  yet,  largely  due  to  the  agitation 
and  discussion  which  has  been  started  by  the  alumni  associations  of 
the  large  New  York  hospitals,  composed  as  they  are  of  the  younger, 
better  trained  physicians  of  the  community,  most  of  whom  have 
also  studied  abroad,  one  after  another  of  the  great  New  York 
private  hospitals  has  opened  its  wards  to  small  numbers  of  selected 
fourth-year  students.  The  P.  and  S.,  for  instance,  to-day  can  send 
fourth-year  undergraduates  into  the  wards  of  five  of  the  large  private 
hospitals,  where  they  remain  for  two  months,  enjoying  all  the  facilities 
offered  to  the  residents,  with  the  exception  that  they  have  no  power 
to  administer  drugs.  Much  to  the  astonishment  of  the  managers, 
not  only  has  the  death  rate  of  the  hospitals  not  increased  by  this 
introduction,  but  it  has  been  found  that  the  attending  physicians 
are  apt  to  give  a  great  deal  more  time  to  their  ward  services  than 
they  did  under  the  old  regime.  The  cases  are  more  thoroughly  ex- 
amined, the  patients  are  better  satisfied,  the  histories  are  more  care- 
fully taken,  the  house  staff  is  relieved  of  unnecessary  routine,  and  it 
is  now  the  hospital  which  is  beginning  to  ask  for  more  teaching.  This 
is  as  it  should  be,  and  the  first  result  of  this  experiment,  begun  at 
St.  Luke's  Hospital,  some  three  years  ago,  is  the  proposal  of  the 
Presbyterian  Hospital  managers  to  join  with  the  P.  and  S.  as  offering 
the  best  results  in  the  care  of  patients.  To  the  managers,  of  course, 
scientific  study  is  of  less  immediate  interest,  though  they  also  are  be- 
ginning to  feel  that  the  reputation  that  a  hospital  gets  from  the  pub- 
lications and  scientific  fame  of  its  staff  brings  it  glory,  and  in  that 
way,  larger  funds.  In  Germany — where,  as  any  of  you  who  have 
studied  there  know — the  patients  have  less  to  say  about  their  treat- 
ment than  they  have  in  this  country;  where  autopsies  are  universal 
instead  of  exceptional;  and  where  the  system  exists  of  placing  the 


A  NEW  ERA  IN  MEDICINE  IN  NEW  YORK  223 

patient  under  the  care  of  eminent  men  who  have  made  advances  in 
chemistry  or  bacteriology  or  pathology,  instead  of  those  having  merely 
a  large  private  practice — the  conditions  are  far  ahead  of  what  they 
can  be  in  this  country  for  some  years  to  come.  We  may  never  reach 
the  same  freedom  in  handling  human  beings  that  now  exists  in  the 
hospitals  of  Germany  and  France.  Our  attitude  toward  our  patients 
is  quite  different,  our  feeling  of  responsibility  to  them  is  much  greater 
here  than  it  is  there.  All  this  makes  more  difficult  the  use  of  patients 
for  thorough  scientific  study.  The  semi-military  discipline  of  a  Eu- 
ropean hospital  cannot  be  imitated  in  America.  Patients  must  vol- 
untarily offer  themselves  for  study.  We  must  ask  a  patient's  per- 
mission before  we  can  place  him  in  a  respiratory  chamber;  it  is  al- 
most necessary  to  obtain  his  permission  before  he  can  be  put  upon 
the  somewhat  irksome  diet  which  is  necessary  for  the  complete  chem- 
ical investigation  of  his  metabolic  peculiarities.  These  are  some  of 
the  perfectly  obvious  and  practical  difficulties  in  medical  investigation 
in  this  country,  and  there  are  not  a  few  others  patent  to  every  labora- 
tory investigator.  We  cannot  shut  our  eyes  to  them,  and  we  must 
meet  them  with  all  possible  patience,  while  at  the  same  time  safe- 
guarding our  patients  from  annoyance  and  injury.  This  means  a 
far  greater  supervision  by  the  resident  and  visiting  physicians  than 
exists  in  Germany,  but  if  such  safeguards  are  offered,  I  think  we 
can  accomplish  just  as  good  work  here  as  there,  even  though  at  a 
considerable  disadvantage. 

The  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Hospital  and  the  P.  and  S.,  the 
close  geographical  relationship  of  the  Rockefeller  Institute,  and  the 
presence  of  the  enormous  hospital  material  now  being  offered  for 
teaching  purposes  in  New  York  City,  therefore,  opens  up  a  new  era 
to  the  P.  and  S.,  which,  in  the  past  few  years,  has  been  in  great 
difficulties,  both  financial  and  clinical.  The  day  of  the  old-fashioned 
clinical  lecture,  when  the  students  sat  in  an  amphitheater  and  watched 
the  professors  operate,  or  when  the  students  made  ward  rounds  and 
saw  fifty  patients  without  being  allowed  to  examine  one,  has  long  since 
passed.  Students  must  be  taught  in  small  numbers;  no  more  than 
four  or  six  men  can  be  allowed  to  study  a  case.  It  means  a  great  in- 
crease in  the  number  of  our  teachers ;  it  means  a  great  increase  in  our 
clinical  facilities,  before  we  can  reach  the  ideal.  The  Presbyterian 
Hospital,  in  its  new  buildings,  will  construct  ample  laboratory  fa- 
cilities for  such  scientific  work;  it  will  probably  be  the  center  of  a 
large  part  of  the  undergraduate  teaching  of  the  school,  and  will  offer 


224  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

opportunities  for  the  best  type  of  medical  and  surgical  research.  But 
that  is  not  the  limit  of  a  great  hospital  school  such  as  must  develop  in 
New  York,  Chicago,  and  other  large  cities.  For  it  is  in  the  large 
cities  that  opportunities  for  teaching  medicine  exist.  It  is  impossible 
to  build  a  great  medical  school  in  a  small  town.  A  thousand  hospital 
beds  must  be  available  for  teaching  purposes,  if  the  student  is  to  be 
thoroughly  grounded,  not  only  in  medicine  and  surgery,  but  also  in 
the  important  specialties,  and  such  a  large  material  is  easily  available 
if  Columbia  can  further  extend  its  hospital  affiliations,  even  if  the 
relationship  is  not  so  intimate  as  that  with  the  Presbyterian.  These 
are  the  conditions  which  we  are  now  facing,  and  many  problems  must 
still  be  solved. 

A  medical  school  must,  primarily,  teach  undergraduates  to  be  good 
practitioners.  That  is  what  the  public  wants;  that  is  what  the  coun- 
try needs;  well-rounded  men  who  have  seen  a  large  series  of  cases, 
who  are  trained  in  all  the  fundamental  sciences ;  men  who  have  had  at 
least  two  years  in  college,  more  if  possible,  so  that  the  curriculum  need 
not  be  crowded  with  elementary  courses  in  fundamentals;  men  who 
have  had  real  training  in  biology  and  not  merely  a  superficial  course ; 
men  who  know  something  of  mathematics,  something  of  experimental 
physics,  and  a  great  deal  of  organic  chemistry,  and  have  a  real  read- 
ing knowledge  of  German,  not  only  the  ability  to  pick  out  a  few 
sentences  by  the  aid  of  a  dictionary.  Another  function  of  a  medical 
school  is  said  to  be  to  train  teachers.  I  think  this  is  wrong.  Teachers 
are  not  made,  they  are  born;  only  a  small  proportion  of  the  men 
who  study  medicine  is  in  any  way  fitted  to  teach,  and  to  adapt  a 
school  for  this  special  purpose  is  unnecessary.  A  still  smaller  pro- 
portion of  those  obtaining  a  medical  education  is  fitted  for  productive 
research  in  medicine — the  most  complicated  of  all  fields.  Such  men 
must  have  all  the  preliminary  training  that  the  future  practitioners 
are  given;  they  must  also  have  opportunities  to  exert  their  natural 
gifts.  In  other  words,  the  school  must  offer  research  opportunities 
for  such  undergraduates  as  show  themselves  fitted  to  do  such  research. 

"We  are  too  apt  to  be  careless  in  the  use  of  this  term  "research." 
Much  of  the  matter  which  is  published  from  the  foreign  universities, 
much  from  our  own,  is  not  worth  the  paper  it  is  written  on.  It  is 
done  by  immature,  poorly  trained  men,  with  limited  horizon  and  per- 
spective, and  merely  encumbers  the  field  for  those  who  come  after. 
Real  research  ability  is  very  rare.  It  is  well  to  give  the  practitioner  a 
chance  to  see  what  research  means :  that  he  cannot  do  research  without 


A  NEW  ERA  IN  MEDICINE  IN  NEW  YORK  225 

an  enormous  sacrifice  of  time,  without  giving  up  many  of  the  rewards 
that  come  to  one  who  has  many  patients.  He  cannot  obtain  much 
more  than  a  living  salary — in  fact,  as  a  laboratory  investigator  in 
this  country  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  even  that.  Research  in  medicine 
is  also  the  most  expensive  possible  research,  if  we  except  astronomical 
investigation.  It  requires  not  only  patients  to  study,  but  the  facilities 
of  large,  well-equipped  laboratories.  The  care  of  patients  in  New 
York  City  costs  over  two  dollars  a  day.  This  expense  must  be  met 
by  the  hospitals ;  it  cannot  be  added  to  the  already  overloaded  budget 
of  the  medical  school. 

There  is  also  another  function  of  the  medical  school,  and  that  is  the 
offering  to  men  the  opportunity  for  post-graduate  work  in  various  sub- 
jects, chiefly  in  the  specialties,  but  also  in  the  laboratory  branches. 
Most  of  these  men  will  be  practitioners  who  desire  to  fit  themselves 
for  certain  special  branches,  and  this  instruction  must  be  disassociated, 
more  or  less,  from  undergraduate  teaching.  "With  the  diminution 
which  is  now  going  on  in  the  number  of  men  who  take  up  medicine, 
owing  to  the  overcrowding  of  the  profession,  in  the  first  place,  and 
owing  to  the  greatly  increased  cost  of  medical  education  in  time  and 
money — for  it  means  a  sacrifice  of  at  least  ten  years'  time  to  become 
a  physician — the  number  of  undergraduate  students  in  the  college 
will  probably  remain  small.  We  do  not  desire  more  than  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  students  in  a  class.  We  now  have 
about  eighty-five.  The  size  of  the  school  is  not  likely  to  be  increased, 
therefore,  in  the  undergraduate  department,  in  the  near  future. 
Those  who  direct  the  future  of  the  college  are  desirous  of  seeing 
extensive  development  of  advanced  work  and  post-graduate  teach- 
ing— a  great  expansion  of  true  investigation  along  the  lines  of 
scientific  medicine.  For  this  we  shall  have  to  have  other  hos- 
pitals than  the  Presbyterian;  hospitals  with  ample  laboratories, 
with  broadly  trained  clinical  teachers  in  charge  of  the  wards,  men 
who  can  appreciate  the  problems  which  are  yet  to  be  solved,  and  of- 
fer the  graduate  in  medicine  a  chance  to  develop  his  special  powers 
of  clearing  away  the  obscurities  which  still  surround  a  large  number 
of  the  diseases  which  we  so  frequently  try  to  treat. 

The  completion  of  this  ideal  scheme  will  probably  require  a  good 
many  years  of  patient  labor,  and  implies,  primarily,  an  extensive 
development  of  the  hospital  connections  we  now  enjoy.  The  final 
solution  lies  in  the  hands  of  the  trustees  of  hospitals,  both  municipal 
and  private,  and  until  they  realize  what  is  so  obviously  needed  in 


226  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

medical  education,  and  appreciate  the  advantages  of  close  union  with 
teaching  institutions,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  any  real  progress  can 
be  made,  but  there  can  be  no  question  of  the  final  outcome.  The 
hospitals  and  schools  must  finally  come  together  to  solve  their  com- 
mon problems  and  so  to  obtain  their  highest  possible  development, 
from  both  an  educational  and  a  philanthropic  standpoint. 


SELECTING  LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY. 
F.  C.  Wood,  M.D. 

The  drawing  of  tissues  under  the  microscope  is  a  difficult  matter, 
and  but  few  physicians  have  the  necessary  ability  or  time  to  produce 
satisfactory  sketches.  Even  professional  illustrators  are  rarely  able 
to  reproduce  such  material  properly  without  a  great  deal  of  super- 
vision, and  then  only  at  considerable  cost.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
production  of  commercial  half-tone  plates  has  now  in  the  best  hands 
reached  such  a  degree  of  perfection  that  there  is  but  little  loss  of 
detail  in  reproducing  satisfactory  prints  of  photo-micrographs  if  made 
on  a  glossy  surface  solio  or  gaslight  paper.  These  facts,  together 
with  a  desire  to  reproduce  microscopic  subjects  as  documents  giving 
evidence  of  the  correctness  of  the  text  descriptions  on  which  a  thesis 
may  be  based,  lie  at  the  bottom  of  the  revival  or,  if  preferred,  the 
more  extensive  use  of  photo-micrography  in  illustrating  embryological 
and  histological  publications. 

The  recent  commercial  introduction  of  color-sensitive  plates  and 
suitable  screens  has  made  possible  the  use  of  three-color  methods  for 
direct  reproduction  of  microscopic  objects,  if  expense  of  reproduction 
does  not  have  to  be  considered,  in  a  beauty  and  accuracy  not  possible 
in  the  old  days  of  plate  making.  The  employment  of  the  Lumiere 
direct  color  plate  for  projection  purposes  has  also  revived  interest  in 
photo-micrographic  methods. 

During  the  last  thirty  years  the  elaboration  of  the  mathematical  the- 
ory of  the  production  of  images  by  lenses,  due  to  the  genius  of  E.  Abbe, 
and  the  production  of  glass  of  special  optical  qualities  by  the  Jena 
Glass  Works,  have  also  enabled  opticians  to  make  many  improve- 
ments in  lenses.  The  results  have  been  most  notable,  perhaps,  in  the 
production  of  photographic  lenses  for  general  purposes,  but  very  re- 
markable improvements  have  also  been  accomplished  in  the  production 
of  microscopic  lenses  and  oculars,  though  chiefly  of  the  higher  powers. 

227 


228  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

On  the  whole,  however,  these  discoveries  have  not  greatly  improved 
the  objectives  of  low  or  medium  magnifying  power,  from  a  purely 
photo-micrographic  point  of  view.  Even  in  the  most  admirable 
apochromatic  objectives  the  curvature  of  the  field  of  vision  is  often 
very  considerable;  so  much  so  that  the  remarkable  8  and  16  mm. 
objectives  of  Zeiss  are  not  especially  satisfactory  for  photographic 
purposes  unless  a  very  small  field  of  view  is  all  that  is  required. 
"Within  such  a  small  field  these  objectives  far  surpass  almost  all  lenses 
hitherto  constructed,  but  their  chief  value  lies  in  visual  use  rather 
than  in  photographic  work,  although  the  fact  that  they  are  apochro- 
matic permits  focusing  them  with  white  light  and  afterwards  in- 
serting a  suitable  color  screen  for  photographic  purposes  without 
danger  of  altering  the  focus.  With  achromatic  objectives,  on  the 
contrary,  this  is  not  a  very  safe  process,  and  generally  it  is  better  to 
focus  with  the  light  with  which  the  photograph  is  to  be  taken,  for 
their  correction  is  usually  best  at  about  wave  length,  550,  and  is  not 
so  good  with  other  colors.  Fortunately,  this  is  the  yellow-green  color 
most  generally  useful  in  the  photo-micrography  of  ordinary  stained 
specimens. 

"With  the  higher  powers,  that  is,  lenses  of  4,  3,  and  2  mm.  focus, 
this  curvature  of  the  field  is  less  important,  because  the  actual  area 
photographed  under  any  circumstances  is  very  small  and  the  object 
desired  is  usually  a  reproduction  of  fine  details  rather  than  a  picture 
giving  extensive  topography.  Up  to  50  diameters,  photo-micrography 
can  be  admirably  done  by  any  one  of  a  considerable  series  of  ob- 
jectives of  the  photographic  type  without  using  an  ocular.  These 
may  be  the  Zeiss  tessars  or  planars,  or  the  well-known  miniature 
photo-objectives  of  Leitz,  "Winkel,  or  Eeichert.  Above  this  power  the 
most  satisfactory  lens  is  the  micro-luminar  of  "Winkel  of  Gottingen, 
of  16  mm.  focus.  This  gives  a  sharp  picture  over  a  6^  x  8!/^-inch 
plate  with  a  magnification  of  75  diameters.  "With  care,  it  is  possible 
to  go  a  little  higher  with  this  objective,  but  the  results  are  not  quite 
so  satisfactory.  It  is,  of  course,  used  without  an  eye-piece,  though 
with  the  special  "Complanat"  oculars  of  "Winkel  slightly  higher 
powers  can  be  obtained  with  some  sacrifice  of  definition. 

At  this  point  the  possibility  of  computing  lenses  of  the  ordinary 
photographic  type  for  use  without  an  ocular  ceases,  and  for  higher 
powers  we  must  turn  to  a  form  of  lens  in  which  the  field  is  never 
perfectly  flat,  but  in  which  the  possible  angular  aperture,  and  conse- 
quently the  resolving  power,  rises  rapidly  with  the  diminution  in 


s 

A. 


Fig.  1  (A). — Giant  cell  sarcoma  of  finger,  taken  with  as  large  an  aperture 
as  lens  will  bear,  and  showing  a  softer  effect  more  closely  resembling  images 
seen  under  the  microscope,     x  200. 


Fig.  2   (B). — Scirrhus  carcinoma.     The  cone  of  light  is  too  small;  hence, 
the  detraction  images  about  the  connective  tissue.     To  be  compared  with  A. 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  229 

focal  length.  The  flatness  of  the  field  usually  varies  inversely  with 
the  aperture;  that  is,  the  higher  the  aperture  the  smaller  the  area 
which  is  in  sharp  focus  at  one  time.  With  the  eye  this  makes  but 
little  difference,  for  we  are  constantly  shifting  the  focus  up  and  down 
and  fusing  a  succession  of  pictures.  As  Nelson  says:  "Curvature 
of  image  is  quite  an  unimportant  error  in  a  microscopic  objective  be- 
cause all  critical  observations  should  be  made  in  the  central  portion 
of  the  field,  the  rest  of  the  field  being  used  merely  as  a  finder.  If  it 
is  necessary  to  view  large  masses  of  an  object  a  lower  power  should 
be  used.  Sharp  central  definition  is  not  always  compatible  with  flat- 
ness of  field,  and  this  sharp  central  definition  should  never  be  sacrificed 
for  what,  at  best,  is  only  of  small  importance."1  The  photographic 
plate,  unfortunately,  sees  only  one  plane  of  an  object,  and  there  is  no 
means  of  getting  other  planes  into  focus ;  consequently,  it  is  of  the  ut- 
most importance  to  obtain  lenses  of  sufficient  angular  aperture  to  give 
all  details  combined  with  a  field  large  enough  to  give  topography. 
Usually,  extreme  apertures  should  be  avoided.  Even  if  the  resolution 
of  the  details  of  the  object  over  a  small  area  is  extremely  sharp,  it 
must  be  remembered  that  the  only  reason  for  taking  a  photograph  is 
to  produce  a  print  which  can  be  reproduced  by  a  mechanical  process. 
In  the  last  analysis,  therefore,  we  should  think  chiefly  of  the  method 
of  reproduction,  and  there  is  no  need  of  having  excessive  detail  on  a 
plate,  because  some  of  the  finer  points  will  be  inevitably  lost  in  the 
print  and  much  more  in  the  half-tone  by  which  the  image  is  finally 
transferred  to  paper.  Of  course,  this  does  not  mean  that  any  hazy 
print  is  sufficient,  since  the  half-tone  plate  only  adds  more  softness 
and  haze  to  the  original,  but  it  does  mean  that  we  must  consider  the 
obtaining  of  a  plate  with  harsh  contrasts  of  light  and  shade  and  with 
moderate  sharpness,  rather  than  a  thin,  exquisitely  detailed,  smaller 
field,  which,  excellent  as  it  may  be  for  lantern  slides,  is  totally  in- 
adequate for  half-tone  reproduction. 

The  most  difficult  magnifications  to  obtain  with  a  sufficient  size  of 
field  to  give  topographic  relations  are  those  extending  from  about  100 
diameters  to  250  diameters.  A  large  proportion  of  illustrative  photo- 
graphs are  taken  at  about  this  magnification,  lower  powers  than  75 
diameters  being  employed  chiefly  for  such  topographic  pictures  as  are 
wanted  for  recording  lesions  of  the  spinal  cord  or  the  distribution  of 
glandular  elements,  such  as  in  the  endometrium.    These,  as  has  been 

*E.  M.  Nelson:  Jour.  Roy.  Mic.  Soc,  1907,  p.  656. 


230  ST.  LUKES  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

stated,  can  be  taken  easily  with  one  of  the  photographic  type  of  ob- 
jectives. An  example  of  such  a  photograph  of  75  diameters  (see 
Fig.  4),  taken  with  the  TVinkel  nricro-luminar,  to  show  what  that  lens 
can  accomplish,  is  given.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  field  is  perfectly  flat, 
covering  a  6^0  x  S^-inch  plate,  with  sharp  detail  to  the  edges. 

From  100  diameters  on,  the  most  usual  combination  is  a  1-inch  or 
one-half  inch  objective.  Many  firms  make  two-thirds  inch  or  16  mm. 
objectives.  The  older  makers  in  England  and  America  used  to  pro- 
duce admirable  high  angle,  four-tenths  or  one-half  inch  objectives, 
sometimes  with  correction  collar.  One  of  these  old  achromatic  one- 
lialf  or  four-tenths  inch  objectives  with  the  correction  collar  is  a  real 
prize,  which  nowadays  cannot  be  frequently  picked  up.  Any  one  who 
is  doing  photo-micrography  should  be  on  the  lookout  for  such  an 
objective. 

The  writer,  for  example,  has  one  such  lens,  made  by  Tolles,  with  a 
focus  of  four-tenths  of  an  inch  and  about  0.65  numerical  aperture, 
which  was  discarded  as  useless  by  the  original  owner,  who  did  not 
realize  that  the  lens  was  corrected,  of  course,  for  the  tube  length  in 
general  use  at  the  time  when  the  lens  was  made ;  that  is,  a  regular  10- 
inch  "English"  tube.  Consequently,  he  found  that  the  lens  was  very 
unsatisfactory  when  used  on  a  short  ' '  Continental ' '  stand.  Of  course, 
the  images  are  brilliant  when  used  on  a  proper  length  tube,  and  when 
the  correction  collar  is  screwed  to  its  highest  point  the  lens  works 
splendidly  at  160  mm.  tube  length;  the  field  is  very  flat,  the  color 
correction  is  good.  The  lenses  are  as  clear  as  on  the  day  they  were 
made,  and  the  whole  objective  is  a  testimonial  to  the  magnificent 
work  that  came  from  the  hands  of  that  great  master  of  lens  making. 

It  might  not  be  uninteresting  to  note,  in  passing,  that  the  writer 
has  been  offered  one  hundred  dollars  for  this  supposedly  worthless 
lens  by  one  who  appreciates  its  optical  qualities — a  change  in  value 
almost  as  remarkable  as  some  stories  told  of  finds  of  first  editions 
of  old  books.2 

Such  objectives,  of  course,  are  not  frequently  offered  for  sale  at  the 
present  time,  because  they  are  all  made  for  the  old  long-tube  micro- 
scope stands  now  chiefly  used  in  England,  but  they  can  usually  be 
obtained  for  a  small  sum  when  they  do  appear  in  the  stock  of  second- 
hand dealers. 

'For  similar  records  of  a  fine  old  Powell  lens  made  in  1850,  N.A.  0.385, 
which  is  practically  equal  to  a  Zeiss  16  mm.,  N.A.  0.35,  see  paper  by  A.  A. 
C.   Eliot  Merlin,  Jour.  Roy.   Mic.  Soc.,  1907,  p.  646. 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  231 

METHODS  OF  TESTING  LENSES. 

The  best  method  of  testing  the  flatness  of  field  and  the  optical 
correction  of  low  and  medium-power  objectives  is,  not  by  the  eye, 
which  continually  accommodates  to  focal  differences,  but  by  photo- 
graphing a  black  and  white  object  with  very  sharp  edges  to  the  black 
lines.  The  most  satisfactory  way  to  obtain  an  object  of  sufficient 
fineness  and  quality  is  to  silver  one  side  of  a  cover-glass  of  measured 
thickness  and  then  scratch  fine  lines  through  the  silver  coating.  The 
cover-glass  is  then  mounted  in  balsam,  silver  side  down,  and  if  ex- 
amined will  be  found  to  show  clear  spaces  alternating  with  black 
areas,  the  edges  being  perfectly  clear  cut.  Such  a  grating  for  testing 
objectives  is  sold  by  Zeiss  under  the  name  of  Abbe  test  plate.  The 
ruling  in  this  case  is  covered  with  a  wedge-shaped  piece  of  glass, 
from  0.10  to  0.20  mm.  in  thickness,  so  that  corrections  for  different 
thicknesses  of  cover  glasses  can  be  obtained  if  the  objective  has  a 
correction  collar.  It  is  not,  however,  necessary  to  purchase  such  a 
special  testing  apparatus,  as  one  can  easily  be  made  as  follows :  A 
number  of  cover-glasses  of  suitable  thickness  are  first  obtained.  Most 
dealers  have  measuring  calipers  and  will  select  a  set  of  cover-glasses 
0.17  to  0.18  mm.  thick.  This  is  the  usual  thickness  for  which  ob- 
jectives are  corrected.  A  series  of  such  cover-glasses  should  be 
cleaned  by  moistening  them  with  strong  ethyl  alcohol,  draining  off  the 
surplus,  and  then  pouring  over  the  cover-glasses  a  few  c.c.  of  strong 
nitric  acid.  The  beaker  should  be  immediately  placed  in  the  open 
air  or  under  a  fume  hood,  as  a  strong  reaction  will  occur,  very  of- 
fensive fumes  of  nitric  peroxide  being  given  from  the  acid.  In  a 
few  minutes,  after  the  boiling  of  the  acid  has  ceased,  the  surplus 
should  be  poured  off  and  the  covers  rinsed  repeatedly  in  distilled 
water  until  the  water  no  longer  reacts  acid  to  the  litmus  paper.  The 
covers  should  then  be  lifted  out  of  the  water  with  clean  forceps  and 
dried  between  two  layers  of  filter  paper,  without  touching  them  with 
the  fingers.  After  blowing  off  any  lint,  they  should  be  dropped  flat 
on  the  surface  of  a  silvering  mixture  so  as  to  float.  A  convenient 
solution  for  this  purpose  is  the  following:3 

One  gram  of  silver  nitrate  is  dissolved  in  20  c.c.  distilled  water, 
and  strong  ammonia  (0.880  sp.  gr.)  is  added  until  the  precipitate 
formed  is  just  redissolved.     A  solution  of  1.5  grams  potassium  hy- 

•Edser  and  Stansfield.     Nature,  lvi,  504,  1897. 


232  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

droxide  in  40  c.c.  water,  and  again  ammonia  until  the  precipitate 
redissolves;  80  c.c.  distilled  water  are  next  added,  and  then  silver 
nitrate  solution  (any  strength),  until  there  is  a  faint  permanent 
precipitate.    Make  up  to  300  c.c. 

For  the  reducing  solution,  1.8  grams  of  milk  sugar  are  dissolved 
with  the  aid  of  heat  in  20  c.c.  of  distilled  water.  The  two  solutions 
are  mixed  in  a  flat  dish  and  the  cover-glasses  immediately  dropped 
on  the  surface  of  the  fluid  so  that  they  fall  flat  and  float.  The  dish 
is  covered  and  left  quiet  for  an  hour;  at  the  end  of  that  time,  the 
silver  deposit  is  usually  thick  enough,  the  covers  are  lifted  out,  rinsed 
in  distilled  water  and  dried. 

Perfectly  satisfactory  rulings  can  be  made  by  taking  a  fine  sewing- 
needle  (No.  11),  and,  making  a  series  of  light  scratches  through  the 
silver  in  various  directions,  examining  from  time  to  time  with  a 
hand-lens  to  see  that  a  small  area,  about  2  or  3  mm.,  is  thoroughly 
scratched  up.  A  more  satisfactory  preparation,  which  gives  regularly 
spaced  rulings,  can  be  made  by  the  use  of  an  ordinary  rotating  par- 
affin microtome  and  a  microscope  with  a  mechanical  stage.  A  strip 
of  stiff  spring  brass  about  25  cm.  long,  1  cm.  wide,  and  about  2  mm. 
thick  is  taken  and  a  fine  needle  is  fastened  to  the  tip  with  a  mass  of 
sealing  wax.  The  needle  should  be  perpendicular  to  the  surface  of 
the  metal.  The  strip  is  then  clamped  to  the  jaws  of  the  holder  ordi- 
narily used  for  carrying  the  mounted  paraffin  blocks  for  cutting, 
and  the  feed  is  adjusted  to  give  any  convenient  number  of  microns. 
The  most  satisfactory  spacing  is  50  microns,  which  in  the  ordinary 
paraffin  microtome  requires  two  turns  of  the  wheel.  A  silvered  cover- 
glass  is  fastened  on  a  slide  with  some  sealing  wax,  silver  side  up,  and 
clamped  to  the  mechanical  stage,  and  the  microscope  and  microtome 
are  clamped  to  the  table  so  that  they  do  not  move  in  relation  to  each 
other,  and  are  so  arranged  that  the  slide  is  movable  at  right  angles 
to  the  line  of  feed  of  the  microtome.  After  the  preliminary  adjust- 
ments have  been  made,  the  needle  is  lowered  into  contact  with  the 
silvered  surface,  the  springiness  of  the  brass  strip  equalizing  any 
excess  pressure,  and  a  scratch  about  10  mm.  long  is  made  in  the  silver 
by  moving  one  of  the  screws  of  the  mechanical  stage.  The  needle  is 
lifted  by  rotating  the  microtome  slightly  and  the  cover-glass  is  moved 
out  of  the  way;  then  the  microtome  is  rotated  completely,  so  as  to 
feed  the  needle  forward  50  microns,  the  point  of  the  needle  is  again 
brought  into  contact  with  the  silvered  surface,  and  by  moving  the 
microtome  stage  parallel  to  the  first  cut  and  50  microns  from  it,  an- 


Fig.    4.— N< 


.formal  post-menstrual  endometrium.  Winkel  16-mm.  micro- 
luminar,  with  no  eyepiece,  x  75.  The  entire  plate  is  sharp  to  the  edges,  but 
as  it  was  impossible  to  reproduce  all.  an  area  15  x  13  cm.  was  selected. 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  233 

other  scratch  will  be  made  in  the  silver.  This  is  to  be  repeated  until 
a  considerable  ruled  area  is  obtained.  The  slide  is  then  turned  at 
right  angles  to  its  first  position  and  a  series  of  cross  rulings  made. 
The  cover-glass  is  then  freed  from  the  surface  of  the  slide  by  softening 
the  sealing  wax,  and  mounted  in  balsam.  As  soon  as  the  balsam  is 
hard,  the  sealing  wax  is  cleaned  off  with  some  strong  alcohol  and  the 
slide  examined  with  a  half-inch  lens  in  order  to  see  if  the  rulings  are 
satisfactory.  This  will  usually  be  so,  if  a  very  fine  needle  has  been 
employed.  The  very  finest  sewing-needles  (No.  11)  are  the  best  for 
the  purpose.  In  order  to  prevent  bending,  the  needle  should  be  set 
a  very  short  distance  from  its  tip,  in  sealing  wax.  Not  all  needles 
have  a  good  point,  so  before  using  one,  it  should  be  examined  with  a 
hand  magnifying  lens  or  under  a  low-power  objective  to  see  that  the 
point  is  not  turned  over,  as  is  frequently  the  case  in  finer  grade 
needles. 

If  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  a  ruled  test  plate  as  described,  an  ex- 
cellent object  to  determine  the  flatness  of  field  of  an  objective,  though 
not  its  resolving  powers,  is  a  smear  of  normal  blood,  or,  for  short 
focus  immersion  objectives,  a  slide  of  diphtheria  or  tubercle  bacilli, 
thinly  spread  and  faintly  stained.  The  spread  of  blood  should  be  very 
carefully  made,  if  possible,  on  a  carefully  selected  plate-glass  slide, 
though  the  ordinary  cheap  slides  will  do  if  one  is  picked  out  which 
is  flat  and  free  from  rough  points  on  the  surface.  To  test  the  flat- 
ness, hold  the  slide  so  as  to  get  a  reflection  of  a  window-frame  on  its 
surface  and  see  whether  the  lines  are  straight  and  do  not  become 
curved  when  the  slide  is  rotated.  Several  slides  should  be  cleaned 
by  boiling  in  strong  nitric  acid,  then  washed  in  distilled  water  and 
dried  with  a  cloth  or  filter  paper,  free  from  grease.  Normal  blood 
is  then  smeared  over  the  surface  of  the  slide,  using  any  of  the  methods 
regularly  employed  in  preparing  specimens  for  diagnostic  work.  The 
smears  should  be  thin  and  perfectly  even,  and  the  corpuscles  sepa- 
rated from  each  other  by  a  space  equal  to  about  their  own  diameter. 
The  slide  is  dried  and  fixed  in  strong  methyl  alcohol  and  stained  very 
intensely  with  a  1/100  solution  of  water  soluble  eosin.  If  desired,  the 
leucocytes  may  be  stained  after  pouring  off  most  of  the  eosin  by  the 
addition  of  a  few  drops  of  a  1/400  methylene  azure.  The  blood  should 
be  then  mounted  in  balsam,  using  a  measured  cover.  In  order  to  get 
photographs  with  a  satisfactory  contrast,  it  is  necessary  to  use  a 
yellow-green  screen  and  a  color-sensitive  plate,  but  as  this  is  the  light 
which  is  necessarily  used  with  all  achromatic  objectives  when  photo- 


234  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

graphing  stained  tissues,  it  does  not  in  the  least  interfere  with  the 
test. 

As  soon  as  a  suitable  mount  is  obtained,  the  slide  should  be  set  up 
in  the  microscope,  the  objective  inserted  with  a  suitable  projection  or 
other  eye-piece,  and  then  the  lines  of  the  grating  or  the  borders  of 
the  red  cells  carefully  focused  on  the  ground  glass  of  the  camera  by 
the  use  of  a  hand-lens.  It  is  necessary  to  see  that  the  condenser  is 
in  proper  adjustment  for  the  lens ;  very  few  lenses  will  stand  a  cone 
of  light  filling  more  than  one-third  to  one-half  of  the  aperture  of 
the  back  lens.  This  is  best  noted  by  focusing,  then  removing  the  eye- 
piece and  adjusting  the  condenser  while  looking  down  the  tube.  If 
a  Nernst  light,  or  electric  arc,  or  similar  strong  source  of  illumination 
is  employed,  it  is  necessary  to  reduce  the  intensity  of  the  light  by  a 
piece  of  dark  glass  or  a  fragment  of  a  photographic  dry  plate  which 
has  been  exposed  to  daylight  for  a  second  and  then  developed  and 
fixed.  This  will  usually  give  a  neutral  tint  film  sufficiently  opaque 
to  prevent  injury  to  the  eye.  "With  a  Zeiss  photographic  apparatus 
such  a  dark  glass  is  provided  in  a  cap  which  fits  into  the  end  of  the 
draw  tube.  If  the  photographer  is  fortunate  enough  to  possess  one  of 
the  old-fashioned  four-tenths  or  one-half  inch  achromatic  objectives 
made  by  Powell  &  Lealand,  Tolles,  H.  R.  Spencer,  or  "Wales,  which 
are  provided  with  a  correction  collar,  great  care  should  be  taken  in 
seeing  that  this  collar  is  turned  until  the  best  correction  is  obtained 
for  spherical  and  chromatic  aberration.  The  colored  fringes  seen  at 
the  edge  of  the  black  lines  are  present,  to  some  extent,  with  all  achro- 
matic objectives,  especially  at  the  periphery  of  the  field,  and  their 
complete  removal,  except  at  the  center,  is  not  so  important  as  the 
perfect  correction  of  the  spherical  aberration,  as  is  shown  by  the 
perfect  sharpness  of  the  edges  of  the  silver  bands  or  the  blood  cells. 
Most  objectives  are  now  corrected  for  a  shorter  tube  length,  usually 
either  160  or  170  mm.,  and  marked,  as  a  rule,  with  the  proper  length 
for  the  draw  tube.  It  is  necessary,  if  the  objective  is  not  screwed 
directly  into  the  nose-piece,  to  allow  for  either  10  mm.,  in  case  of  a 
revolving  nose-piece,  or  22  mm.,  in  the  case  of  the  Zeiss  sliding  ob- 
jective changers.  The  old-fashioned  achromatic  objectives  with  cor- 
rection collar,  even  when  computed  for  the  long  tube,  often  work 
admirably  on  the  modern  short  tube-stand  if  there  is  a  sufficient 
range  of  collar  adjustment. 

As  it  is  not  always  easy  to  judge  the  point  at  which  definition  be- 
gins to  fall  off,  it  is  usually  better  to  make  a  photograph  rather  than 


oe 


08 


09 


.0 


07  0.7 


0.8  0.8 


1.2 


1.3 


T 

.1.8 


0.9  0.9 


0   1.0 


,2 


I   1.3 


Fig.  5. — I.     Tolles  %  inch,  showing  sharp  Held  over 
0.0  mm.     x  200. 
II.     Tolles    4-10    inch,    showing    sharp    field    over 
0.7  mm. 
III.     Spencer    1    inch,    eomplanat    eyepiece    No.    1. 
showing  sharp  field  over  nearly  0.!)  mm. 


.2 


.3 


4 


in 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  235 

to  rely  entirely  upon  the  eye.  The  most  suitable  plate  for  this  pur- 
pose is  the  Cramer  isochromatie  double-coated  plate,  which  has  great 
latitude  of  exposure  and  stands  prolonged  development  without  fog- 
ging, and  yet  is  sensitive  to  the  yellow-green  color  used  in  tissue 
photography.4  The  exposure  should  be  short  and  the  development 
prolonged  in  order  to  bring  up  all  possible  contrast.  When  the  nega- 
tive is  dry  a  print  can  be  made  from  it  if  desired,  and  the  quality  of 
the  image  judged  from  the  print,  but  to  any  one  who  is  experienced 
in  looking  at  negatives,  it  will  be  easy  to  determine  the  approximate 
point  at  which  the  sharpness  of  image  ceases,  and  that,  of  course,  is 
the  size  of  the  useful  field  of  the  objective.  It  is  generally  somewhat 
easier  to  tell  the  exact  point  from  a  blood  smear  photograph  than  it  is 
from  the  photograph  of  the  ruled  screen.  The  screen,  however,  af- 
fords a  better  test  of  the  optical  qualities  of  the  objective  than  the 
corpuscles,  because  the  edges  of  the  silver  bands  are  extremely  sharp 
and  the  slightest  haziness  or  color  is  shown  in  the  photograph  as  a 
lack  of  sharpness  to  the  edge.  Another  definite  way  of  getting  the 
diameter  of  the  field,  though  it  is  not  a  satisfactory  one  for  the  re- 
solving power  of  the  objective,  is  to  photograph  a  stage  micrometer.- 
If  the  lines  are  black  or  the  micrometer  used  is  one  of  the  photo- 
graphic reproductions,  the  diameter  of  the  useful  field  can  be  fairly 
easily  told ;  but,  as  just  stated,  it  is  not  a  satisfactory  test  for  resolu- 
tion, because  by  varying  the  time  of  exposure,  the  screen  and  the  de- 
velopment, the  apparent  sharpness  of  the  lines  can  be  varied  and  a 
poor  objective  will  give,  on  a  thoroughly  developed  plate,  a  much 
better  picture  than  a  good  objective  on  a  thin  plate. 

In  order  to  get  the  best  definition  the  lens  should  be  used  with  an 
achromatic  condenser  of  approximately  the  same  focus  as  the  ob- 
jective. If  such  a  condenser  is  not  available,  a  lens  of  about  the 
same  aperture  and  focus  can  be  used  in  the  substage  as  a  condenser 
with  the  most  satisfactory  results.  On  looking  down  the  tube  of  the 
microscope,  the  illuminated  area  of  the  condenser  diaphragm  should 
be  central,  and  the  maximum  amount  of  light  used  which  the  objective 
will  bear  without  the  image  becoming  hazy.  If  the  light  is  not  cen- 
tered or  if  the  diaphragm  is  reduced  to  too  low  a  point,  the  diffraction 
lines  will  appear  at  the  borders  of  the  red  corpuscles  or  at  the  edges 
of  the  rulings  of  the  Abbe  test  plate.     It  is,  unfortunately,  only  too 

4It  is  not  necessary  to  go  into  further  details  concerning  plates  or  de- 
veloper here ;  possibly  in  a  subsequent  number  of  this  report  the  subject  of 
plates,  screens,  developers,  etc.,  will  be  fully  treated. 


236  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

common  to  see  photo-micrographs  in  which  the  diameter  of  the  sharp 
field  of  the  objective  has  been  increased  by  the  process  of  reducing 
the  cone  of  light  thrown  by  the  condenser  to  a  very  small  diameter. 
The  result  is  that,  while  the  field  covered  by  the  objective  is  slightly 
larger,  diffraction  lines  are  present  about  the  borders  of  the  nuclei, 
and  the  bodies  of  the  cells  and  all  finer  details  are  lost.  The  ad- 
vantage of  the  use  of  lenses  of  large  aperture  is  that  they  stand  a 
good  deal  of  light  without  the  image  becoming  hazy,  and  therefore 
the  exposure  may  be  shortened  with  equal  or  better  definition.  In- 
fluenced, perhaps,  by  the  constant  habit  of  looking  at  or  making 
drawings  of  histological  material  with  a  pen,  the  average  person 
thinks  that  a  photo-micrograph  showing  diffraction  lines  represents 
more  accurately  the  appearances  usually  present  under  the  micro- 
scope than  a  much  softer  picture  obtained  by  the  use  of  a  high-angle 
immersion  lens,  but  a  little  study  of  stained  sections  under  the  micro- 
scope with  high-grade  lenses  and  a  suitable  condenser  and  light  will 
show  that,  on  the  contrary,  few  cells  have  a  sharp  outline,  and  that  in 
well  preserved  material  each  shades  into  the  next  contiguous  cell 
without  any  great  contrast.  The  routine  fixation  and  hasty  paraffin 
embedding  of  much  of  the  material  ordinarily  examined  has  also  con- 
tributed not  a  little  to  the  sharp  outline  attitude,  for  the  inevitable 
shrinkage  following  such  procedures  tends  to  isolate  cells  or  groups 
of  cells  and  thus  leave  clear  spaces  about  them. 

AREA  OF  USEFUL  FIELD. 

The  results  of  the  examination  of  photographs  of  ruled  silvered 
plates,  of  blood  slides,  and  of  stage  micrometers  is  shown  in  the  ap- 
pended table.  The  magnification  chosen  was  a  constant  one ;  that  is, 
200  diameters,  this  being  the  maximum  magnification  likely  to  be  used 
with  medium  power  objectives;  above  that  point,  6  or  4  mm.  lenses 
are  to  be  preferred,  though  an  exceptional  8,  10,  or  12  mm.  lens 
may  permit  a  useful  magnification  of  250  to  300.  This  is  much 
lower  than  the  theoretical  "useful  magnification,"  which  is  usually 
given  as  100  times  the  numerical  aperture;  in  other  words,  a  lens  of 
N.A.  0.20  should  give  a  good  image  at  200  diameters,  one  of  0.30  at 
300  diameters,  one  of  0.65  at  650  diameters;  but  in  practice  but  few 
objectives  will  give  more  than  half  this,  and  the  ordinary  cheap 
commercial  achromats  not  more  than  a  third  or  even  a  fourth.  The 
test  is  therefore  much  more  severe  on  the  16  to  25  mm.  lenses  than 
on  those  of  shorter  focus.    Possibly  all  that  can  be  expected  of  inch 


Fig.  6. — Zeiss  s-inm.  apochroniat,  with  No.  '■>  pro- 
jection eyepiece,  x  200.  The  ink  ring  shows  the 
limit  of  the  sharp  field. 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  237 

objectives  is  a  maximum  of  125  to  150.  A  few  lenses,  even  though 
their  aperture  is  relatively  low,  will  give  good  pictures  at  200  di- 
ameters, the  best  example  the  writer  has  seen  being  the  Winkel  apo- 
chromat  of  25  mm.  focus  with  a  N.A.  of  0.22.  This  exceptional  lens 
stands  200  diameters  better  than  many  of  much  shorter  focus  and 
larger  aperture,  with  a  sharp  field  covering  a  6y2  x  8y2  plate. 

The  objectives,  concerning  which  further  details  are  given  in  Table 
II,  fall  naturally  into  two  groups ;  the  first  8  of  12  mm.  or  less  in  focus, 
the  last  5  of  between  16  and  25  mm.  focus.  Of  the  half-inch  lenses, 
the  Tolles  one-half  is  the  superior  though  its  low  aperture  of  0.42 
requires  more  careful  handling  of  the  illumination  than  the  three 
which  follow.  The  Spencer  Lens  Company's  8  mm.  apochromat  is 
one  of  the  best  for  photography  now  being  made.  The  Watson  lens 
is  only  fair.  The  Powell  and  Lealand,  though  still  made,  is  not  to  be 
recommended.  The  particular  type  of  Bausch  and  Lomb  half-inch 
is  no  longer  listed  by  that  firm,  but  is  a  very  fine  lens.  Last  of  all 
comes  the  8  mm.  Zeiss,  with  so  small  a  field  that  its  usefulness  is 
much  restricted,  though  within  that  field  it  gives  the  best  and  sharp- 
est images  of  any  objective  examined.  In  the  second  group,  the 
maker  of  the  Spencer  lens  is  long  since  dead,  but  the  lens  is  a  re- 
markable one.  Close  to  it  is  the  Winkel  apochromat,  which  is  the 
best  lens  now  obtainable  for  low-power  photography ;  that  is,  between 
75  and  200  diameters.  The  Zeiss  and  Leitz  16  mm.  are  very  good  for 
within  the  sharp  field,  but  this  is  much  too  limited  for  photographic 
purposes. 

A  long  series  of  tests  have  also  been  made  with  low-power  achro- 
matic lenses  of  both  foreign  and  domestic  makers,  but  though,  with 
patience  and  great  care,  fair  results  can  be  obtained,  they  are  not 
wholly  satisfactory.  The  optical  requirements  for  photographic  work 
are  much  more  severe  than  for  purely  visual  effects,  for  which  these 
lenses  are  intended.  In  the  higher  powers,  however,  some  excellent 
lenses  are  obtainable,  especially  the  "flourite"  objectives  of  Leitz  and 
Reichert,  but  better  work  can  be  done  with  the  4  and  6  mm.  dry 
apochromats  of  Zeiss,  and  still  better  with  Powell  and  Lealand 's 
quarter-inch  apochromatic  immersion.  For  the  highest  magnifications, 
such  as  are  required  for  photographing  bacteria,  the  improved  achro- 
matic 1/12-inch  oil  immersions  are  very  satisfactory,  though  nothing 
quite  equals  the  Zeiss  3  mm.,  N.A.  1.40. 


238 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


I.— TABLE    OF    LENSES    ARRANGED    ACCORDING    TO    DIAMETER    OF    USEFUL 
FLAT  FIELD  AT  A  MAGNIFICATION  OF  200  DIAMETERS. 

of  Field  in  Millimeters  with  Zeiss  II.   Projec- 
Lens  tion    Eye-piece 

Tolles  %  inch.  110  mm.     Definition  satisfactory. 

o«^ii      4,     •„  »,  (100  mm.     Used  with  160  mm.  tube. 

/">  1D  85  mm.     Used  with  250  mm.  tube.     Definition  about  the 

same,  but  better  than  the  %  inch. 
Wales  4/10  inch. 
Powell    and    Lealand    %    inch 

achromatic  immersion. 
Spencer  Lens  Co.   8  mm.   apo- 

chromat. 
Watson  %  inch  holostigmat. 
Powell    and    Lealand    %    inch 

apochromat  160  mm.  tube. 
Bausch    and    Lomb     %     inch, 

Series  III. 
Zeiss  8  mm.  apochromat. 

Leitz  8  mm.  apochromat. 

H.  R.  Spencer  1  inch  250  mm. 

tube. 
Winkel  25  mm.  apochromat. 

Zeiss  17  mm.  achromat  AA. 
Watson  24  mm. 

Zeiss  16  mm.  apochromat. 
Leitz  16  mm.  apochromat. 


Diameter 

110 
100 

85 

mm. 
mm. 
mm. 

90 

mm. 

90 

mm. 

75 
70 
75 

mm. 
mm. 
mm. 

60 
60 

mm. 
mm. 

60 

mm. 

115 

mm. 

160 

mm. 

180 
170 

mm. 
mm. 

70 
75 

mm. 
mm. 

Very  good  definition. 

Fair   definition ;    much   better   than   would    be 
expected  from  resolution  tests. 

Very  good  definition. 

Definition  better  over  this  area  than  any  of  the 

above  lenses,  except  the  immersion  P.  &  L. 
Definition  even  better  than  the  Zeiss  in  the  lens 

examined,  but  not  equal  to  the  immersion. 
With  Winkel  Complanat  Eye-piece  No.  1  field 

is  200  mm.,  with  excellent  definition. 
With  Complanat  Eye-piece  No.  2,  180  mm.  and 

very  good  definition. 
Very  fair  definition. 
Field,  but  very  poor  definition  all   over ;  will 

not  give  good  picture  at  over  150  diameters. 
Good  definition. 
Good  definition. 


II. — TABLE  OF  RESOLUTIONS  OF  SERIES  OF  LENSES. 

The  diatoms  employed  were   Nitschia  scalaris    (abbreviated  N.S.),   26,000   lines  to   the 

inch,  mounted  in  styrax,  and  Pleurosigma  angulatum  (abbreviated  P. A), 

44,000   lines  to  the   inch,   mounted   in   realgar. 


Grade  Lens 

100     Tolles  achromatic  4/io  inch  or 

10  mm.     N.A.=0.65  for  250 

mm.  tube. 
100     Zeiss  or  Leitz  8  mm.  apochro- 

matic.      N.A.=0.65   for    160 

mm.  tube. 
90     Wales  achromatic  Vio  incn  or 

10  mm.     N.A.=0.60  for  160 

mm.  tube. 
75     Spencer  Lens  Co.  8  mm.   apo- 

chromatic.       N. A. =0.60     for 

160  mm.  tube. 
70     Watson    holostigmat    12    mm. 

N.A.=0.45     for     170     mm. 

tube. 
70     Bausch  and  Lomb,   Series  III, 

12  mm.     N.A.=0.54  for  210 

mm.   tube. 
65     Tolles  %  inch.     N.A.=0.42  for 

250  mm.  tube  achromat. 

65  Powell  and  Lealand  %  inch 
or  12  mm.  apochromatic. 
N.A.=0.64  for  250  mm.  tube. 

60  Herbert  R.  Spencer  1  inch  or 
25  mm.  N.A.=0.35  achro- 
mat. 

60  Zeiss  16  mm.  N.A.=0.30  apo- 
chromatic for  160  mm.  tube. 

50  Zeiss  17  mm.  A. A.  achromat. 
N.A.=0.30. 

45  Watson  24  mm.  N.A.=0.24 
holostigmat. 

45  Winkel  25  mm.  N.A.=0.22 
apochromat. 


Resolution  Central 

Resolution    Oblique 

Objecl 

Light 

Light 

N.S. 

Easily    into   dots,    even 

Very    easily    into 

better  than  Zeiss  8  mm. 

dots. 

P.A. 

Easily  into  dots. 

Easily  into  dots. 

N.S. 

Easily  into  dots. 

Easily  into  dots. 

P.A. 

Easily  into  dots. 

Easily  into  dots. 

N.S. 

Dots. 

Dots. 

P.A. 

Easily  into  dots. 

Easily  into  dots. 

N.S. 

Dots. 

Dots  poorly. 

P.A. 

Dots. 

Dots. 

N.S. 

Good    resolution,    but 
only  lines. 

Fairly  into  dots. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Fairly  into  dots. 

N.S. 

Fairly  into  lines. 

Fairly  into  dots. 

P.A. 

Fairly  into  dots. 

Fairly  into  dots. 

N.S. 

Easily  into  lines. 

Fairly  into  dots. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Poor    resolution     in 
dots. 

N.S. 

Lines  only. 

Dots  poorly. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Not  resolved. 

N.S. 

Lines  only. 

Lines  only. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Not  resolved. 

N.S. 

Lines  only. 

Lines  only. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Not  resolved. 

N.S. 

Lines  only. 

Lines  only. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Not  resolved. 

N.S. 

Just   shows   lines. 

Just  shows  lines. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Not  resolved. 

N.S. 

Barely  shows  lines. 

Barely    shows    lines. 

P.A. 

Not  resolved. 

Not  resolved. 

SWv ^A*  \? .    *.  .v 


Fig.  r. — Powell  and  Lealand  ^-inch  apochromat  x  200.    The  ink  ring 
shows  the  limit  of  the  sharp  field. 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  239 

The  resolution,  or  ability  to  reproduce  fine  details,  also  varies  di- 
rectly with  the  numerical  aperture  of  the  lens,  but  a  lens  of  high  aper- 
ture may  not  be  so  satisfactory  as  one  of  slightly  smaller  opening  if 
its  spherical  and  chromatic  corrections  are  not  also  perfect. 

An  example  of  this  is  seen  in  the  Powell  and  Lealand  half-inch 
apochromatic,  which  will  be  discussed  later.  Theoretically,  this  lens 
should  be  an  excellent  one,  but  practically  it  is  worthless. 

Resolution  being  equal,  the  best  lens  in  every  respect  is  the  one 
giving  the  largest  field.  With  the  low  powers  it  is  possible  that  the 
entire  field  may  not  be  employed  for  reproduction,  but  it  is  very  con- 
venient to  have  a  little  leeway  so  that  the  exact  centering  of  the 
image  to  be  obtained  is  not  necessarily  carried  out  under  the  micro- 
scope, but  a  general  field  selected  from  which  a  suitable  part  may  be 
cut  for  final  use  as  an  illustration.  The  selecting  and  absolute  center- 
ing of  an  exact  field  on  the  ground  glass  of  the  camera  focus  is  time- 
consuming,  and  it  is  difficult,  without  a  great  deal  of  experience,  to 
judge  the  final  effect  of  a  tissue  photograph,  either  in  the  camera  or 
from  a  negative;  the  print  is  the  best  criterion. 

The  most  accurate  means  of  testing  the  resolution  alone,  because 
the  mere  marking  of  the  angular  aperture  on  the  objective  does  not 
guarantee  that  the  measurement  is  correct,  is  to  use  a  diatom,  suitably 
mounted.  The  objectives  under  consideration  range  from  25  to  8  mm., 
with  a  numerical  aperture  of  from  0.22  to  0.65.  There  are  two  di- 
atoms which  offer  convenient  standards.  These  are  the  Pleurosigma 
angulatum  and  the  Nitschia  scalaris.  They  should  be  mounted  in  a 
highly  refracting  medium,  such  as  realgar,  or,  if  such  preparations 
cannot  be  obtained,  dry.  The  light  used  must  be  intense ;  direct  sun- 
light, if  properly  screened,  is  good ;  or  the  direct  light  from  a  Nernst 
filament  or  miniature  arc  lamp,  or  even  a  flat-wick  kerosene  lamp  is 
preferable  to  daylight.  The  condenser  must  focus  the  light  on  the 
object.  Under  such  conditions  it  is  remarkable  what  a  good  lens  will 
do.  For  instance,  the  writer  has  been  able  to  resolve  Amphipleura 
pellucida  in  realgar  with  the  Zeiss  4  mm.  short-tube  apochromatic 
lens  and  a  dry  Watson  parachromatic  condenser,  using  a  suitable  blue 
screen.  Usually,  nothing  but  an  immersion  lens  will  show  the  lines 
on  this  most  difficult  object. 

The  table  on  page  238  shows  the  results  of  the  examination  of  a 
series  of  lenses  in  the  possession  of  the  writer — a  rough  estimate  in 
percentage  is  given  to  aid  in  classification,  but  has  no  claim  to  ac- 
curacy.   It  will  be  seen  that  the  resolution  of  Pleurosigma  in  dots  by 


240  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

central  light  immediately  divides  the  objectives  into  two  classes,  those 
above  N.A.  0.50  and  those  below,  though  a  Powell  and  Lealand  one- 
half  N.A.  0.64,  falls,  for  some  unknown  reason,  into  the  lower  class. 
The  Nitschia  scalaris  gives  another  dividing  line  when  resolved  into 
dots  by  oblique  light  at  N.A.  0.40.  All  of  the  objectives  thus  tested  re- 
spond pretty  closely  to  the  theoretical  limits,  those  usually  set  being 
a  numerical  aperture  of  at  least  0.65  for  the  resolution  of  the  dots 
of  P.  angulatum  with  an  axial  light,  slightly  less  for  lines,  and  at 
least  0.30  for  N.  scalaris  in  styrax;  the  only  exception  being  the 
Powell  and  Lealand  half-inch,  N.A.  0.64,  which  falls  way  below  its 
class,  being  surpassed  by  the  Watson  and  Bausch  and  Lomb  half -inch 
objectives  of  considerably  lower  aperture  and  equalled  by  a  Tolles 
half-inch  achromatic,  N.A.  0.42.  The  flat  field  of  this  lens  is  almost 
twice  that  of  the  Powell  and  Lealand,  and  for  photographic  work  the 
objective  is  much  superior,  though  made  some  40  years  ago,  before 
the  discovery  of  the  Jena  glasses  and  the  computations  of  Abbe,  per- 
mitting apochromatic  lens  construction. 

In  the  same  way  the  Tolles  4/10-inch  is  equal  to,  and  possibly 
surpasses  in  resolving  power,  the  best  modern  product  of  Zeiss,  the 
8  mm.  apochromat,  while  its  field  is  much  larger.  Close  behind  is  an 
old  achromatic  4/10-ineh  Wales,  with  slightly  lower  aperture,  but 
with  a  large,  flat  field  and  exquisite  definition.  Either  of  these  old 
lenses  are  much  superior  to  the  modern  achromatic  lenses  of  any 
maker  for  the  purposes  of  photography,  if  we  except  a  Powell  and 
Lealand  half-inch  immersion,  specially  made  for  the  writer,  with  a 
numerical  aperture  of  1.30.  This  has  a  flat  field  of  90  mm.  and  gives 
better  definition  and  greater  resolution  than  any  dry  lens.  It  is, 
however,  purely  a  photographic  objective,  and  not  useful  for  other 
purposes. 

Some  improvement  in  the  flattening  of  the  field  can  no  doubt  be 
obtained  by  improvement  in  the  eye-pieces  employed  in  photographic 
work.  A  step  in  this  direction  has  been  taken  by  Winkel,  whose  so- 
called  "complanat"  eye-piece  gives  a  somewhat  flatter  field  with  his 
objectives  than  with  the  projection  type  of  eye-piece  made  by  Zeiss, 
and,  in  fact,  the  performance  of  the  old  achromatic  objectives  is  often 
better  with  a  complanat  than  with  a  projection  eye-piece. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

A  complete  outfit  of  lenses  suitable  for  the  highest  class  of  photo- 
micrography is  expensive,  and,  though  fair  results  can  be  obtained  by 


LENSES  FOR  PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY  241 

the  use  of  the  cheaper  grades  of  achromatic  lenses  generally  fitted  to 
microscopes,  quite  satisfactory  for  ordinary  visual  work  as  they  may 
be,  yet  good  photographs  can  only  be  made  with  the  finest  lenses,  for 
defects  which  the  eye  will  entirely  overlook  will  become  most  apparent 
when  a  lens  is  used  for  photography.  An  ideal  outfit  would  be  the 
following : 

1.  Zeiss  planar  75  mm.  focus  for  very  low  powers. 

2.  Winkel  micro-luminar,  16  mm.  focus,  for  magnification  from  25  to  75 
diameters. 

3.  Winkel  25  mm.  apochromat  with  complanat  eye-pieces  I  and  II,  for 
75  to  150  diameters. 

4.  Tolles,  Spencer,  or  Wales  710  or  y2-inch  for  from  150  to  200  diameters. 
In  lieu  of  these  a  Spencer  Lens  Company's  8  mm.  apochromat  is  the  best 
now  on  the  market  as  regards  flatness  of  field.  The  Zeiss  or  Leitz  8  mm. 
apochromat  is  more  expensive  and  has  a  smaller  field,  though  giving  su- 
perior definition. 

5.  A  Powell  and  Lealand  %-inch  apochromatic  immersion,  N.A.  1.30,  for 
200  to  500  diameters.  As  this  lens  is  expensive,  a  dry  apochromat  4  or  6  mm. 
of  Zeiss,  or  any  other  standard  make,  such  as  Winkel,  Leitz,  or  Reichert, 
may  be  substituted,  but  the  flat  field  is  smaller  than  in  the  immersion  and 
the  lenses  more  difficult  to  handle  because  of  the  necessity  for  careful  ad- 
justment of  the  light  and  their  sensitiveness  to  varying  thicknesses  of  cover- 
glass.  The  Powell  and  Lealand  immersion  is  the  most  satisfactory  lens  made 
for  medium  powers. 

6.  A  Zeiss  3  mm.  apochromat,  N.A.  1.40,  for  the  long  tube.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  lenses  made.  It  gives  a  range  of  from  500  to  1,400 
diameters  with  the  Zeiss  III  and  VI  projection  eye-pieces,  which  are  also 
to  be  employed  with  lenses  IV  and  V.  It  is  less  easily  injured  than  the  2 
mm.  Zeiss  apochromat,  N.A.  1.40,  the  front  lens  of  which  may  be  dismounted 
by  the  slightest  touch  to  a  cover-glass,  and  has  a  larger  field.  The  long 
tube,  3  mm.,  is  a  shade  better  than  the  short  tube  lens  of  the  same  aperture 
and  focus.  In  fact,  all  of  the  long  tube  objectives  give  better  results  than 
the  short  tube  ones,  as  the  same  magnification  can  be  obtained  with  a  lower 
eye-piece. 


CASE  OF  INCOMPLETE  RUPTURE  OF  THE  HEART  DUE  TO 
CORONARY  HEMORRHAGE. 

J.  Gardner  Hopkins,  M.D. 

The  patient  was  a  woman  of  fifty  years,  a  designer  by  occupation. 
Except  for  the  diseases  of  childhood,  she  had  always  been  well  up  to 
four  days  before  admission  to  the  hospital,  when  she  was  suddenly 
seized  with  a  feeling  of  suffocation  while  at  work  and  had  to  be  taken 
home.  This  attack  was  followed  by  rather  severe  constant  pain  in  the 
precordium,  which  increased  on  deep  breathing.  She  had  no  other 
symptoms.  As  the  pain  continued,  she  came  to  the  hospital  and  was 
admitted  on  Dr.  Janeway's  service.  On  examination,  the  apex  beat 
was  not  made  out.  The  heart  dulness  was  apparently  increased ;  the 
sounds  were  distant  but  normal ;  no  murmurs  were  heard.  .  The  pulse 
was  regular  and  of  good  force.  After  rest  in  bed,  the  pain  disap- 
peared, and  on  the  third  day  the  patient  was  allowed  to  sit  up,  with 
the  expectation  of  discharge  in  a  few  days.  While  being  wheeled  to 
her  bed  after  defecation,  she  became  deeply  cyanotic,  fell  forward 
in  her  chair,  and  apparently  died  instantly. 

At  autopsy,  the  pericardium  contained  coagulated  blood  which 
formed  a  thick  layer  about  the  anterior,  posterior,  and  right  surfaces 
of  the  ventricles  and  extended  up  about  the  aorta  and  pulmonary 
artery.  The  clot  was  thickest  at  the  apex  posteriorly,  where  it  meas- 
ured 2.5  cm.  The  ventricles  and  right  auricle  were  in  systole  and 
left  auricle  in  diastole  (Fig.  1).  The  leaflets  of  all  the  valves  were 
thickened  and  those  of  the  mitral  showed  atheromatous  plaques. 
There  was  no  evidence  of  endocarditis.  In  the  apex  of  the  left  ven- 
tricle was  a  blood  clot  about  2  cm.  in  diameter,  and  in  the  anterior 
wall  near  the  septum  was  a  cleft  filled  with  blood  clot  continuous  with 
that  in  the  ventricle  (Fig.  2).  This  cleft  extended  downward  and  to 
the  left,  following  the  course  of  the  muscle  fibers.  At  the  left  border 
of  the  heart  it  reached  the  subpericardial  fat  and  extended  through 
the  fat,  communicating  with  the  pericardium  apparently  at  the  apex 
posteriorly,  though  the  precise  point  of  communication  was  not  made 

242 


RIGHT  AURICLE 


LETT  AURICLE 


PULMONARY  ARTERY 


AORTA 


Fig.  1. — Section  through  base  of  heart,  viewed  from  above,  showing  compres- 
sion of  right  auricle  and  dilatation  of  left  auricle. 


B 
8 

< 

a 
s 


O 
•J 

o 

§ 

o 

►J 
m 


APEX  OF  LEFT  VENTRICLE 


RUPTURE 


Fig.    2. — Section    through    heart,    near    apex,    viewed    from    below,    showing 

rupture  in  the  wall. 


INCOMPLETE  RUPTURE  OF  THE  HEART  243 

out.  There  was  also  hemorrhage  in  the  fat  below  and  about  the  apex 
of  the  right  ventricle.  The  blood  clot  in  the  ventricle  was  covered 
by  a  delicate  membrane,  which,  on  section,  consisted  of  a  fibro-cellular 
membrane  covered  with  endothelium,  and  was  evidently  the  remains 
of  the  endocardium,  showing  that  the  blood  had  lain  beneath  the 
endocardium  and  not  actually  in  the  ventricular  cavity.  The  coro- 
naries  showed  extensive  sclerosis,  and  the  descending  branch  of  the 
left  coronary  was  much  thickened  and  diffusely  calcareous.  The  ex- 
ternal diameter  of  this  vessel  was  about  4  mm.,  but  its  lumen  was 
very  small.  About  4  cm.  from  its  origin  the  lumen  was  practically 
occluded  by  the  thickening ;  but  could  be  traced,  on  section,  1  cm.  or 
more  below  this  point  (Fig.  3).  The  anterior  wall  of  the  left  ven- 
tricle in  the  region  supplied  by  this  artery  was  pale  yellow  and  glisten- 
ing and  translucent  on  section.  There  were  other  smaller  tears  in  the 
muscle,  also  filled  with  thrombi,  which  did  not  extend  to  the  pericar- 
dium. Microscopically,  the  muscle  cells  in  this  area  were  shrunken 
and  hyaline  in  appearance.  In  some  areas  they  showed  no  nuclei ;  in 
others  they  had  small,  deeply  staining  nuclei.  Between  the  necrotic 
cells  there  were  rows  of  polymorphonuclear  leucocytes,  among  which 
were  a  few  small,  round  cells.  In  places  the  leucocytes  were  collected 
in  masses  resembling  small  abscesses  (Fig.  4),  in  which  a  few  partly 
calcified  fragments  of  muscle  cells  could  be  seen.  No  bacteria  were 
seen  in  these  areas.  There  were  also  many  leucocytes  about  the  tears 
in  the  muscular  wall.  The  small  arteries  in  the  wall  were  thickened 
and  some  were  filled  with  organized  thrombi  (Fig.  5).  The  pericar- 
dium was  thickened,  due  chiefly  to  infiltration  with  small  round  cells 
and  large  cells  of  endothelial  type. 

The  aorta  showed  extensive  arteriosclerosis  with  calcification,  and 
there  was  marked  interstitial  nephritis. 

The  anatomical  diagnosis  was:  Arteriosclerosis  of  aorta  and  coro- 
nary arteries.  Myomalacia  of  anterior  wall  of  left  ventricle.  Incom- 
plete rupture  of  the  heart  due  to  hemorrhage  from  a  coronary  vessel. 
Hemopericardium.  Chronic  interstitial  nephritis.  Adenoma  of  renal 
cortex.  Chronic  passive  congestion  and  fatty  degeneration  of  liver. 
Emphysema,  congestion,  edema,  and  healed  tuberculosis  of  lungs. 

Rupture  of  the  heart  is  among  the  rarer  causes  of  sudden  death 
and  has  aroused  much  interest  since  the  first  case  described  by  Har- 
vey. Morgagni  described  a  number  of  cases  from  his  own  experience, 
but  the  lesion  appears  to  be  much  less  frequent  in  recent  times.  El- 
leaume  collected  sixty-one  cases,  thirty-seven  of  which  were  in  men 


244  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

and  twenty-four  in  women.  The  rupture  is  usually  very  minute,  as 
in  this  case,  and  usually  larger  externally  than  internally.  The  cleft, 
as  a  rule,  follows  the  course  of  the  muscle  fibers.  Occasionally  there 
is  a  long  tear,  in  one  case  from  the  base  to  the  apex ;  and  from  three 
to  five  multiple  tears  have  been  reported.  Forty-three  of  fifty-five 
cases  involved  the  left  ventricle,  and  the  usual  point  is  in  the  an- 
terior wall,  near  the  apex.  The  rupture  may  follow  embolic  or 
sclerotic  occlusion  of  the  coronary  artery  with  subsequent  softening 
of  the  wall.  Abscesses  in  the  myocardium,  gummata,  and  tumors  have 
also  led  to  rupture.  Ten  of  Elleaume's  cases  were  due  to  rupture  of 
an  aneurism  of  the  heart,  which  is  a  relatively  frequent  cause.  Quain 
suggested  that  diffuse  fatty  change  might  lead  to  rupture,  but  this 
seems  unlikely  as  it  lessens  the  force  of  the  heart  action  and  would 
rather  tend  to  prevent  rupture. 

Rupture  of  the  heart  occurs  in  old  age  and  usually  after  severe 
exertion.  It  sometimes  occurs  without  any  apparent  occasion,  and 
even  while  the  patient  is  asleep.  In  other  cases  it  may  follow  psy- 
chical excitement,  as  in  the  case  of  Philip  the  Second  of  Spain,  who 
died  of  rupture  of  the  heart  when  told  of  the  defeat  of  his  armies. 

In  the  case  reported  here,  rupture  was  evidently  due  to  degenera- 
tion of  the  myocardium  in  the  region  supplied  by  the  descending 
branch  of  the  right  coronary  artery.  The  sections  of  the  heart  muscle 
present  a  typical  picture  of  acute  suppurative  myocarditis,  but  the 
history  of  the  case  is  very  much  against  the  supposition  that  the 
process  was  infectious.  There  was  no  evidence  of  endocarditis  and 
pericarditis,  or  any  other  condition  which  would  account  for  the  origin 
of  an  infectious  myocarditis.  It  is  probable  that  the  collections  of 
leucocytes  were  not  due  to  bacterial  infection,  but  to  reaction  about 
the  necrotic  tissue.  These  collections  of  leucocytes  are  commonly 
found  in  softening  of  the  myocardium.  The  fact  that  the  inner 
blood  clot  lay  beneath  apparently  intact  endocardium  makes  it  seem 
probable  that  the  rupture  was  due  to  hemorrhage  from  some  coro- 
nary vessel  which  penetrated  internally  beneath  the  endocardium 
and  externally  into  the  pericardial  sac.  There  was  no  escape 
of  blood  from  the  ventricle.  From  the  amount  of  reaction  about  the 
clot,  the  first  hemorrhage  into  the  wall  probably  occurred  when  the 
patient  had  the  first  attack  of  dyspnea,  and  the  terminal  event  was 
rupture  of  this  intramural  hematoma  into  the  pericardium. 

The  most  interesting  feature  of  the  ease  is  the  condition  of  the 
auricles.    In  a  section  through  the  base  of  the  heart  (Fig.  1)  the  left 


.-/?*:*-.. 


,>.. 


1 

■ 

Fig.  3. — Photomicrograph  showing  cross  section  of  the  descending  branch 
of  the  left  coronary  artery.  The  lumen  is  obliterated,  except  for  two  narrow 
slits  at  the  right.     To  the  left  is  a  calcified  area.     20  diameters. 


^*&3>Zt\\       ■&**£■    -.it- 


§1 :  'ftSlliHiiil 

iii:  ill 


/■ 


Fig.   4. — Photomicrograph   showing  collection  of  leucocytes  in   necrotic  heart 

muscle.     45   diameters. 


Fig. 


-Photomicrograph  showing  remains  of  endocardium  covering  the  blood 
clot    in   the   ventricle.     22.">   diameters. 


Fig.  6. — Photomicrograph  of  the  necrotic  heart  muscle,  showing  small  throm- 
bosed vessel,   surrounded  by  leucocytes.     200  diameters. 


INCOMPLETE  RUPTURE  OF  THE  HEART  245 

auricle  is  seen  to  be  in  diastole,  while  the  right  auricle  is  compressed 
to  a  mere  slit.  This  illustrates  clearly  the  theory  of  Cohnheim  that 
death  in  hemopericardium  is  due  to  compression  of  the  right  auricle, 
the  chamber  in  which  the  blood  pressure  is  the  lowest.  He  injected 
fluid  into  the  pericardial  sacs  of  dogs  and  showed  that  the  sudden  in- 
jection of  150  c.c.  to  200  c.c.  was  sufficient  to  cause  death,  whereas, 
a  much  larger  amount  of  fluid  might  accumulate  gradually  in  the 
pericardium  without  a  fatal  result.  The  effect  depends  upon  the 
tension  of  the  fluid  rather  than  upon  its  amount.  As  the  pericardial 
pressure  approaches  the  pressure  in  the  right  auricle  it  interferes  with 
the  entry  of  the  blood  into  the  heart  from  the  systemic  veins,  causing 
a  rise  in  venous  pressure  and  a  fall  in  arterial  pressure.  The  pres- 
sure in  the  left  auricle  is  considerably  greater  than  in  the  right,  and 
consequently  the  entry  of  blood  from  the  lungs  is  not  interfered  with 
until  the  pericardial  pressure  is  increased  considerably  above  the  point 
necessary  to  compress  the  right  auricle. 

References. — Cohnheim,  Allegemeine  Pathologie.  Trans,  by  McKee,  vol.  i» 
p.  30.  Elleaume,  Essai  sur  les  ruptures  de  cceur.  These  de  Paris,  1857.  Fried- 
reich, Virchow's  Handbuch  f.  spezielle  Pathologie  u.  Therapie,  vol.  v,  sec.  2, 
p.  183.  Morgagni,  De  sedibus  et  causis  morborum,  book  ii,  letter  27.  Quain, 
Medical  and  Chirurgical  Transactions,  London,  vol.  xxxiii. 


REPORT  OF  THE  WASSERMANN  REACTIONS  DONE  BY  THE 
PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT  DURING  THE  YEAR  1911.* 

C.  H.  Bailey,  M.D. 

During  the  past  year  597  "Wassermann  reactions  have  been  done 
by  the  Pathological  Department.  The  results  of  the  reaction  on  the 
423  cases  whose  histories  were  accessible  were  as  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing table: 


Positive 
Syphilis : 

Primary 6 

Secondary,  untreated 20 

Secondary,  treated 7 

Tertiary 54 

Latent 24 

Congenital 2 

General  paresis 1 

Tabes 5 

Diseases  possibly  of  syphilitic  origin  : 

Aneurism 6 

Aortic  insufficiency 9 

Facial  paralysis 1 

Chronic  inflammations  of  the  eye 7 

Diseases  not   diagnosed   clinically   as 

syphilitic 1                 2                3            177 

Those  cases  are  classed  as  positive  which  gave  complete  inhibition 
in  the  tube  containing  0.2  c.c.  of  the  patient's  serum  and  antigen,  with 
complete  hemolysis  in  the  control  tube  containing  0.4  c.c.  of  the  pa- 
tient's serum  without  antigen.  Those  in  which  there  was  a  slight 
trace  of  hemolysis  in  the  tube  with  antigen  and  complete  hemolysis 
in  the  control,  and  those  which,  with  complete  inhibition  in  the  tube 
with  antigen,  showed  a  trace  of  inhibition  in  the  control,  are  classed 
as  doubtful  positive.     Those  with  partial  hemolysis  with  antigen  or 

*A  portion  of  this  article  appeared  in  the  Archives  of  Internal  Medicine, 
May,  1912. 

246 


Doubtful 

Doubtful 

positive 

negative 

Negative 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

4 

11 

1 

10 

9 

1 

26 

1 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

2 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

2 

2 

0 

13 

REPORT  OF  WASSERMANN  REACTIONS  247 

partial  inhibition  in  the  control  are  classed  as  doubtful  negative;  all 
others  as  negative. 

The  three  cases  classed  under  "Diseases  not  diagnosed  clinically 
as  syphilitic"  which  gave  positive  or  doubtful  positive  reactions  re- 
quire special  mention. 

Rheumatoid  Arthritis. — Wassermann  positive.  No  history  of  syphilis  ob- 
tainable. Patient  complained  of  pain  and  swelling  in  her  right  great  toe  of 
three  weeks'  duration.  Pain  in  right  ankle  and  left  arm  for  one  week.  On 
entrance,  toe  was  swollen,  somewhat  red,  and  tender.  Slight  tenderness  over 
inner  aspect  of  left  tibia.  Temperature  normal.  During  her  five  weeks  in 
hospital  both  elbows  and  several  phalangeal  joints  were  involved.  Patient 
was  on  mixed  treatment  eleven  days,  potassium  iodide  being  continued  nine- 
teen days  longer,  without  improvement. 

Gelatinous  Carcinoma  of  Rectum. — Wassermann  doubtful  positive.  The 
patient  denied  lues,  and  the  past  history  was  not  suggestive.  Diagnosis  was 
made  from  section  of  excised  portion  of  tumor. 

Lymphosarcoma  of  Tonsil. — Wassermann  doubtful  positive.  This  woman 
gave  a  history  of  one  miscarriage,  one  child  born  dead  at  term,  one  child  dead 
at  22  months  (cause  not  known).  She  had  two  living  children.  Otherwise, 
there  was  nothing  suggestive  in  the  past  history.  Diagnosis  was  made  from 
section  of  excised  portion  of  tumor. 

The  cases  on  which  Wassermann  reactions  have  been  done  subse- 
quent to  the  injection  of  Ehrlich's  606  are  but  fourteen  in  number. 
These  cases  are,  however,  of  sufficient  interest  to  report  individually. 

Case     1. — Oct.    25,  1910.    Chancre  of  lip.    Spirocheta  pallida  present.    Wasser- 
mann positive. 
Intramuscular  injection  of  0.6  gm.  606. 
Roseola  present. 

Intramuscular  injection  of  0.6  gm.  606. 
Spirocheta  pallida  present.    Wassermann  positive. 
Wassermann  positive. 
Wassermann  positive. 
1,  1911.    Wassermann  positive. 
Case    2. — Primary  lesion  six  years  ago.    Came  in  for  stricture  of  urethra,  one 
month  duration. 
July     1,  1911.    Intravenous  injection  606. 
July  12.  Wassermann  negative. 

Case     3. — Primary  lesion  four  months  previously,  followed  by  secondaries. 
Dec.     4,  1910.     Intramuscular  injection  0.5  gm.  606. 
Jan.     4,  1911.     Wassermann  positive. 
Case    4. — Secondaries  in  February,  1911.    Then  six  months  pregnant. 

Mar.    8,  1911.    Wassermann  positive.     Intramuscular  injection  of 

606,  followed  by  mixed  treatment. 
June  28.  Wassermann  negative.    Baby  said  to  be  well. 


Oct. 

26. 

Nov. 

8. 

Nov. 

15. 

Nov. 

19. 

Dec. 

7. 

Dec. 

21. 

Feb. 

1, 

248 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Case  5. — Primary  lesion  April,  1910.  Secondaries  about  one  month  later. 
From  August  up  to  the  time  of  admission  to  hospital  had  numer- 
ous ulcerating  lesions  on  various  parts  of  body.  Treated  continu- 
ously, since  primary  lesion,  with  mercury,  by  inunction  and  injec- 
tion, without  effect. 

Nov.  26,  1910.  Entered  hospital.  Condition  :  multiple  gummata  and 
serpiginous  syphilides.    Wassermann  positive. 

Nov.  27.  Intramuscular  injection  of  0.4  gm.  606. 

Jan.     4,  1911.    Wassermann  positive.    Lesions  healing  rapidly. 

Apr.  26.  Wassermann  negative.     Lesions  healed. 

Case     6. — Infant,  age  two  months. 
Oct.    16. 


Oct.    18. 

Oct.    25. 

Nov.     2. 

Case     7. — June    7, 

June  10. 
June  24. 
June  26. 
July  29. 
Aug.  30. 
Nov.  15. 


General  eruption,  snuffles,  hoarseness.     Large  liver 
and   spleen.      Wassermann   positive.     0.025   gm. 
606  administered  subcutaneously. 
Wassermann  positive. 
Wassermann  positive. 

Wassermann  positive.    Condition  much  improved. 
1911.    Fading  roseola,  and  mucous  patches.    Wassermann 
positive. 
0.6  gm.  606  intravenously. 
0.6  gm.  606  intravenously. 
Wassermann  positive. 
0.6  gm.  606  intravenously. 
Wassermann  positive. 
Wassermann  positive. 
Has  had  no  symptoms  since  first  injection. 
Case    8. — Jan.  — ,  1910.    Primary  lesion,   followed  by  secondaries.     Treated 

with  mercury. 
Sept.  15,  1911.     Wassermann  positive.     Has  no  symptoms. 
Sept.  22.  0.5  gm.  606  intravenously. 

Oct.    17.  Wassermann  positive. 

27.  0.5  gm.  606  intravenously. 

28.  Wassermann  doubtful  positive. 
7.               0.6  gm.  606  intravenously. 

27.  Wassermann  doubtful  positive. 

15,  1912.     Wassermann  negative. 

— ,  1909.     Primary  lesion.    Treated  ten  months  with  mercury. 

29.  1911.     Wassermann  positive.     No  symptoms  at  present. 
2,  1912.     Wassermann  negative. 

Had  two  doses  of  606  in  the  interval. 
Primary  lesion  six  months  ago ;  606  four  months  ago. 
June  21,  1910.    No  symptoms  at  present.    Wassermann  negative. 
Primary  lesion  six  years  ago. 

Dec.     7,  1910.     Orchitis,  dactylitis.    Wassermann  positive. 
Dec.     8.  0.9  gm.  606  intramuscularly. 

Dec.  18.  Wassermann  positive. 

Mar.    2,  1911.    Wassermann  positive. 


Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Feb. 
Case  9. — Mar. 
Mar. 
Jan. 


Case  10. 
Case  11. 


Mar.  15. 

Sept.  20. 

Case 

12.— Sept— ,  1910. 

July  — ,  1911. 

Oct.    18. 

Case 

13.— Sept.  — ,  1910. 

Mar.  — ,  1911. 

Mar.  26. 

May  27. 

June  28. 

Case 

14. — Denies  syphilis. 

Oct.    16,  1911. 

REPORT  OF  WASSERMANN  REACTIONS  249 

Wassermann  positive. 

Wassermann  doubtful  positive. 

Primary.    Treated  with  mercury  for  seven  months. 

606. 

Wassermann  negative. 

Primary  lesion. 

Mixed  treatment. 

606  subcutaneously. 

606  intravenously. 

Wassermann  negative. 
Had  yaws  thirty-five  years  ago. 

Wassermann   positive.      Palpable    tumor    of    liver. 
Diagnosis :   Gumma  of  liver. 

0.5  gm.  606  intravenously,  followed  by  mixed  treat- 
ment. 
Jan.  23,  1912.    Tumor  not  felt.    General  condition  greatly  improved. 
Wassermann  positive. 

Four  of  the  above  cases,  on  whom  no  test  was  done  before  injection, 
gave  a  negative  reaction  after  injection.  Four,  on  whom  the  reaction 
was  positive  before  injection,  gave  a  negative  reaction  after  an  interval 
of  three  and  one-half  to  nine  months.  Six  cases  gave  a  positive  or 
doubtful  positive  reaction  after  an  interval  of  seventeen  days  to  nine 
months. 

It  is  conceded  by  most  observers  that  in  working  with  a  hemolytic 
system  it  is  advisable  to  use  known  amounts  of  both  amboceptor  and 
cells.  Wassermann 's  original  method  for  the  diagnosis  of  syphilis 
makes  use  of  1  c.c.  of  a  5  per  cent  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles  with 
just  twice  the  amount  of  amboceptor  necessary  to  hemolyze  these 
cells.  Since  the  discovery  of  the  existence  of  an  anti-sheep  ambo- 
ceptor in  some  human  sera  it  has  been  a  question  whether  this  ad- 
ditional amount  of  amboceptor  might  not  be  sufficient  to  produce 
hemolysis  in  conjunction  with  a  small  residue  of  complement  not 
fixed  in  the  first  stage  of  the  reaction.  If  this  should  occur,  negative 
results  would  thus  be  obtained  in  syphilitic  cases. 

The  recognition  of  this  possibility  has  given  rise  to  several  modifi- 
cations of  the  Wassermann  reaction.  The  best  known  of  these  is 
probably  that  of  Noguchi.  He  claimed1  that:  " Wassermann 's  origi- 
nal method  is  subject  to  an  error  arising  from  the  presence  in  human 
serum  of  a  varying  amount  of  natural  amboceptor  capable  of  being 
reactivated  by  guinea-pig's  complement."    He  found  experimentally 

Noguchi.    Jour.  Exp.  Med.,  1909,  xi,  392. 


250  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

that  four  units  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor  prevent  entirely  the  detec- 
tion of  one  unit  of  syphilitic  antibody.  The  modification  of  the  Was- 
sermann  technique  devised  by  him  has,  among  other  advantages,  that 
of  avoiding  this  danger  by  the  use  of  a  hemolytic  system  consisting 
of  human  blood  cells  and  the  serum  of  a  rabbit  immunized  against 
them. 

Several  other  methods  of  obviating  this  source  of  error  have  been 
suggested  which  still  make  use  of  sheep  corpuscles  as  in  the  original 
Wassermann  method.  That  of  Bauer2,  in  which  each  serum  is  tested 
for  anti-sheep  amboceptor  and  artificial  immune  serum  added  only  to 
those  which  show  an  insufficient  amount  of  natural  anti-sheep  ambo- 
ceptor to  give  complete  hemolysis  with  the  amounts  of  sheep  cells 
and  complement  used  in  the  Wassermann  reaction,  will  of  course  be 
efficient  in  those  cases  in  which  the  human  serum  contains  just  enough 
amboceptor  to  give  complete  hemolysis.  As,  however,  some  sera  con- 
tain many  times  this  amount  of  natural  amboceptor,  with  these  the 
source  of  error  still  remains. 

Jacobaeus3  proposed  absorbing  the  sheep  amboceptor  from  human 
serum  by  incubating  the  serum,  after  the  addition  of  sheep  cells,  at 
37°  for  one-half  hour;  then  centrifuging  off  the  cells  and  proceeding 
with  the  Wassermann  reaction  according  to  the  regular  technique. 
In  a  series  of  257  cases  he  obtained  about  10  per  cent  more  positives 
by  this  method  than  without  absorption.  He  claims  that  complemen- 
toid  is  also  removed  by  this  method,  thus  giving  it  the  advantage  of  a 
modification  introduced  by  Wechselmann,4  in  which  complementoid 
is  removed  by  digesting  the  inactivated  human  serum  with  barium 
sulphate.  Bauer5  had  previously  tried  the  same  procedure  which 
Jacobaeus  employed,  but  discarded  it  on  account  of  its  making  the 
serum  anti-hemolytic.  He  claimed  that  this  property  was  much  in- 
creased by  the  addition  of  liver  extract,  thus  causing  negative  sera 
to  give  positive  reactions. 

S.  Mintz8,  using  this  method  in  a  series  of  38  cases,  obtained  30 
positive  reactions  against  25  without  absorption.  The  sera  which 
reacted  positively  were  all  syphilitic. 

This  method  of  amboceptor  absorption  has  been  tried  by  the  author 

2Bauer.     Sem.  meo\,  1908,  xxviii,  429. 

'Jacobaeus.    Ztschr.  f.  Immunitatsforsch.,  Orig.,  1911,  viii,  615. 

4Wechselmann.    Ztschr.  f.  Immunitatsforsch.,  Orig.,  1909,  iii,  525. 

'Bauer.     Berlin  klin.  Woch.,  1908,  xiv,  834. 

6S.  Mintz.     Ztschr.  f.  Immunitatsforsch.,  Orig.,  1911,  ix,  29. 


REPORT  OF  WASSERMANN  REACTIONS  251 

on  305  sera,  regardless  of  the  amount  of  natural  anti-sheep  ambo- 
ceptor present.  The  result  of  the  Wassermann  reaction  on  each  of 
these  sera  has  been  compared  with  the  result  of  the  reaction  on  the 
same  serum  with  the  natural  anti-sheep  amboceptor  present. 

Only  53  of  the  305  sera  contained  one  or  more  units  of  natural  anti- 
sheep  amboceptor  in  0.2  c.c,  i.e.,  sufficient  to  hemolyze  completely  1 
c.c.  of  a  5  per  cent  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles  in  the  presence  of 
one  unit  of  complement.  In  70  sera  there  was  no  trace  of  anti-sheep 
amboceptor  in  0.2  c.c.  In  the  remaining  182,  anti-sheep  amboceptor 
was  present,  but  in  a  quantity  not  sufficient  to  produce  complete 
hemolysis. 

The  technique  employed  to  remove  the  anti-sheep  amboceptor  from 
the  human  serum  was  as  follows:  To  0.5  c.c.  of  the  patient's  serum, 
after  inactivation,  was  added  2  c.c.  of  0.85  per  cent  salt  solution  and 
0.1  c.c.  of  sheep  cells.  After  shaking,  the  mixture  was  incubated  at 
37°  for  20  minutes.  The  cells  were  then  centrifuged  off  and  the 
supernatant  fluid  used  in  the  Wassermann  reaction,  0.5  c.c.  of  the 
diluted  serum  being  used  in  the  tube  with  antigen  and  1  c.c.  in  the 
control  tube  without  antigen,  the  amount  of  antigen,  complement,  etc., 
being  correspondingly  reduced  to  one-half  the  usual  quantity.  The 
remainder  of  the  fluid  was  used  to  test  the  completeness  of  the  ambo- 
ceptor absorption.  In  about  one-quarter  of  the  cases  a  sufficient 
amount  of  the  patient's  serum  was  used  to  test  for  remaining  sheep 
amboceptor  in  a  full  c.c. 

In  all  but  three  of  the  305  sera,  removal  of  the  sheep  amboceptor 
was  complete.  0.2  c.c.  of  each  of  these  showed  a  faint  trace  of  hemoly- 
tic power  for  sheep  cells  still  present.  One  additional  serum  showed 
very  slight  hemolytic  power  remaining  in  a  full  c.c,  but  none  was 
demonstrated  in  0.2  c.c. 

So  far  as  the  removal  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor  from  human  serum 
is  concerned,  we  may  conclude  that  the  method  is  practically  always 
efficient.  The  objection  to  the  method  is  that  inhibitory  bodies  are 
in  some  way  produced  by  this  process  ("Sachs-Friedberger  phenom- 
enon") which  considerably  slow  hemolysis,  there  sometimes  being  a 
trace  of  inhibition  at  the  end  of  an  hour  in  the  control  tubes  and  in 
negative  sera.  The  difference  in  reaction  between  positive  and  nega- 
tive sera  is,  however,  clear-cut,  the  inhibitory  action  not  being  suffi- 
ciently marked  to  render  the  method  impracticable  as  a  means  of 
avoiding  any  error  which  may  be  due  to  the  presence  of  natural  anti- 
sheep  amboceptor. 


252  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Rossi7  claims  that  incubation  at  0°  for  20  minutes  is  as  efficient  in 
absorbing  the  amboceptor  as  incubation  at  37°,  while  by  this  method 
the  inhibitory  phenomenon  does  not  appear.  His  method  is  to  add 
0.5  c.c.  of  sheep  red  blood  corpuscles  to  1.5  c.c.  of  the  patient's  serum, 
both  having  been  previously  cooled  to  0°.  The  mixture  is  kept  at 
this  temperature  for  20  to  30  minutes,  then  rapidly  centrifuged,  and 
the  serum  drawn  off  with  a  pipette.  In  a  series  of  60  syphilitic  cases 
he  obtained  50  positives  by  the  Wassermann  reaction  and  56  positives 
after  absorption. 

This  method  of  absorption,  as  well  as  that  at  37°,  was  tried  on 
195  of  the  above  305  sera.  In  a  portion  of  these  the  Rossi  technique 
was  followed  in  detail.  With  the  remainder,  the  technique  was  the 
same,  except  that  serum  and  cells  were  mixed  in  the  proportions  used 
for  absorption  at  37°.  This  method  was  found  equally  efficient  in 
absorbing  the  anti-sheep  amboceptor.  So  far,  however,  as  the  avoid- 
ance of  inhibitory  action  is  concerned,  it  was  unsuccessful,  there 
being  little  if  any  difference  in  this  regard  between  the  two  methods. 

The  results  of  the  Wassermann  reactions  on  the  305  sera  with 
natural  anti-sheep  amboceptor  still  present  and  on  the  same  sera 
after  the  amboceptor  has  been  completely  removed,  are  shown  in  the 
following  table.  The  results  of  the  Wassermann  reaction,  following 
absorption  at  0°  did  not  differ  in  any  particular  from  those  following 
absorption  at  37°. 

Doubtful  Doubtful 
Wassermann  reaction  Positive    positive     negative  Negative 
On  sera  with  natural  anti-sheep  ambocep- 
tor present 103  16  2  184 

On  sera  after  removal  of  anti-sheep  ambo- 
ceptor      104  18  1  182 

As  is  shown  by  the  above  table,  there  was  a  difference  in  results 
in  but  three  of  the  305  cases.  The  cases  in  which  the  reaction  differed 
were  as  follows: 

1.  Diagnosis :  Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.  No  history  of  syphilis  obtainable. 
The  serum  contained  five  units  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor.  Wassermann  reac- 
tion :  with  anti-sheep  amboceptor  present,  negative ;  after  removal  of  anti-sheep 
amboceptor,  doubtful  positive. 

2.  Diagnosis :  Syphilitic  Laryngitis.  Primary  lesion  fourteen  years  ago. 
Treatment  previous  to  Wassermann  reaction  not  known.  The  serum  contained 
over  three  units  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor,  the  exact  amount  not  being  de- 

7Rossi.    Ztschr.  f.  Immunitatsforsch..  Orig.,  1911,  x,  321. 


REPORT  OF  WASSERMANN  REACTIONS  253 

termined.    Wassermann  reaction :  with  anti-sheep  amboceptor  present,  doubtful 
negative;  after  removal  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor,  positive. 

3.  Diagnosis :  Tabes  Dorsalis.  No  history  of  syphilis.  Serum  contained 
two  units  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor.  Wassermann  reaction :  with  anti-sheep 
amboceptor  present,  negative ;  after  removal  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor,  doubtful 
positive. 

It  will  be  noted  that  in  none  of  these  cases  was  the  difference  in 
results  a  difference  between  a  frank  negative  and  a  frank  positive 
reaction. 

In  reporting  results  of  the  Wassermann  reaction  it  is  unnecessary 
to  give  in  detail  the  technique  employed,  the  method  being  so  well 
known.  There  are,  however,  certain  points  which  it  seems  to  us 
should  be  mentioned.  In  the  reactions  reported  here,  the  guinea-pig 
serum  was  always  titrated  and  care  taken  never  to  use  as  much  as  two 
units,  as  will  frequently  be  done  if  0.1  c.c.  is  used.  The  antigen  used 
in  nearly  all  of  the  305  cases  was  an  acetone-insoluble  fraction  of 
beef  heart,  prepared  as  recommended  by  Noguchi8.  The  quantity 
used  in  the  reaction  was  0.01  c.c.  This  antigen  was  not  hemolytic  or 
anti-complementary  in  four  times  this  amount,  and  had  high  anti- 
genic properties.  Titrated  against  four  positive  sera  it  gave  with 
one  complete  inhibition  in  one-tenth  the  quantity  used ;  with  a  second, 
complete  inhibition  in  one-thirteenth,  and  with  the  other  two  com- 
plete inhibition  in  one-twentieth  the  quantity  used. 

As  the  results  obtained  by  the  amboceptor  absorption  methods  vary 
considerably  from  those  reported  by  Wechselmann  and  other  ob- 
servers, experiments  were  done  to  test  the  effect  of  the  introduction 
of  artificial  amboceptor  on  the  Wassermann  reaction  done  with  the 
above  antigen. 

Three  sera  were  selected  which  were  frankly  positive  with  this 
antigen  and  Wassermann  reactions  done  on  each  of  these  after  the 
addition  of  five,  ten,  and  fifteen  units  of  artificial  anti-sheep  ambo- 
ceptor. Reactions  were  also  done  on  the  same  sera  without  the  ad- 
dition of  artificial  amboceptor  and  after  the  addition  of  five,  ten,  and 
fifteen  units,  using  an  amount  of  antigen  which  by  titration  with  each 
serum  contained  two  units  of  antigen  for  that  serum.  Each  serum 
contained  natural  anti-sheep  amboceptor,  but  in  an  amount  less  than 
one  unit.     This  was  not  removed. 

Serum  1. — Contained  two  units  of  syphilitic  antibody.  Wassermann  reac- 
tions were  positive  with  both  strong  and  weak  antigens.    With  the  addition  of 

"Noguchi.    Serum  Diagnosis  of  Syphilis,  2d  Edition. 


254  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

five,  ten  and  fifteen  units  of  amboceptor,  the  reactions  were  doubtful  or  nega- 
tive with  both  antigens,  but  the  inhibition  was  greater  with  the  stronger 
antigen. 

Serum  2.— Contained  eighteen  units  of  syphilitic  antibody.  Wassermann 
reactions  were  frankly  positive  with  the  strong  antigen,  even  with  the  addition 
of  five,  ten  and  fifteen  units  of  amboceptor.  With  the  weak  antigen  the  serum 
gave  a  frankly  positive  reaction  when  artificial  amboceptor  was  not  added. 
With  five  units  of  amboceptor  the  reaction  was  doubtful ;  with  ten  and  fifteen 
units,  negative. 

Serum  3. — Contained  more  than  twenty-five  units  of  syphilitic  antibody. 
Wassermann  reactions  were  frankly  positive  with  both  antigens,  with  fifteen 
units  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor  present. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

From  the  above  cases  and  experiments,  we  conclude  that  it  is  pos- 
sible for  anti-sheep  amboceptor  in  human  serum  to  affect  the  Wasser- 
mann reaction,  but  that  when  an  antigen  of  high  titer  is  used  this 
is  possible  only  with  sera  of  very  low  antibody  content  and  several 
units  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor.  As  these  two  conditions,  in  our  ex- 
perience, occur  but  rarely  in  practical  work,  we  feel  that,  when  a 
strong  antigen  is  used,  the  importance  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor  in 
human  serum  as  a  cause  of  negative  reactions  in  syphilitic  cases  is 
not  great.  As  a  routine  procedure,  the  absorption  of  amboceptor  is 
unnecessary.  Its  removal  is  advisable,  however,  from  sera  which 
give  a  negative  or  doubtful  reaction,  and  which  contain  a  large 
amount  of  anti-sheep  amboceptor.  This  is  easily  accomplished  by 
digestion  with  sheep  cells.  It  is  immaterial  whether  this  is  done  at 
0°,  37°,  or  room  temperature. 


COMPLEMENT  IN  HUMAN  SERUM.* 
C.  H.  Bailey,  M.D. 

C.  C.  Bass1,  in  "A  New  Conception  of  Immunity,"  draws  inter- 
esting conclusions  from  several  statements,  the  experimental  proof 
of  which,  unfortunately,  he  does  not  give.  The  broad  application 
made  of  the  principles  stated,  and  the  fact  that,  as  stated,  they  are 
contrary  to  generally  accepted  ideas,  encouraged  the  following  brief 
experiments. 

The  statements  referred  to  are  as  follows: 

"Human  complement  capable  of  acting  with  human  amboceptor  to 
produce  lysis  ...  is  destroyed  by  any  temperature  above  normal 
body  temperature.  ...  A  temperature  of  40°  C.  (104°  F.) 
destroys  complement  in  human  serum  in  from  fifteen  to  thirty  min- 
utes and  prevents  lysis  regardless  of  the  amount  of  amboceptor  em- 
ployed. ' ' 

"Freshly  drawn  human  blood  contains  little  or  no  complement 
capable  of  acting  with  human  amboceptors.  .  .  .  No  human  spe- 
cific complement  develops  at  ordinary  fever  heat,  38°  to  40°  C.  (101°  to 
104°  F.),  such  as  obtains  locally  and  often  generally  in  most  in- 
flammations. ' ' 

"In  the  event  that  human  complement  has  developed  in  a  blood 
...  it  again  disappears  in  from  thirty  to  seventy-two  hours.  ..." 

EXPERIMENTS. 

Experiment  1. — Five  human  serums,  all  of  which  had  been  on  the  clot  for 
over  seventy-two  hours,  were  withdrawn,  and  tested  for  complement,  before 
and  after  heating  at  40.5°  C.  for  thirty  minutes. 

To  tubes,  each  of  which  contained  0.25  c.c.  of  a  2  per  cent  suspension  of 
washed  calf-cells  and  0.25  c.c.  (two  units)  of  a  1-600  dilution  of  inactivated 
serum  of  a  rabbit  immunized  to  calf -cells,  was  added  the  human  serum  in  the 
following  amounts :  0.8,  0.4,  0.2,  0.05  and  0  c.c.    A  similar  series  was  set  up  for 

♦Reprinted  from  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Assn.,  1911,  lvii, 
Dec.  23. 

^ass,  O.  C. :    Jour.  A.  M.  A.,  Nov.  4,  1911,  p.  1534. 

255 


256  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

each   patient,    with   like   amounts   of   serum,    heated   for   thirty    minutes    at 
40.5°  C. 

Patients  A  and  B  gave  no  hemolysis  with  either  heated  or  unheated  serum. 
Patient  C  gave  complete  hemolysis  with  0.4  c.c.  of  serum,  both  heated  and 
unheated.  Patient  D  gave  slight  hemolysis  with  0.8  c.c.  of  serum,  heated  and 
unheated.  Patient  E  gave  complete  hemolysis  with  0.8  c.c.  of  serum,  and  almost 
complete  with  0.4  c.c,  heated  and  unheated. 

This  experiment  shows  that  complement  may  still  be  present  in 
serums  over  seventy-two  hours  old,  capable  of  completing  a  lytic  sys- 
tem, and  that  such  complement  is  not  destroyed  by  thirty  minutes' 
heating  at  40.5°  C.  It  would  be  remarkable  if  human  complement 
capable  of  acting  with  a  calf -immune  system  were  not  destroyed  by 
thirty  minutes'  heating  at  40°  C,  while  "human  complement  capable 
of  acting  with  human  amboceptor  to  produce  lysis"  were  thus  de- 
stroyed. As,  however,  the  article  in  question  specifies  the  latter,  the 
following  experiment  was  performed  to  determine  this  point,  as  well 
as  the  truth  of  the  statement  that  "freshly  drawn  human  blood  con- 
tains little  or  no  complement  capable  of  acting  with  human  ambo- 
ceptors. ' ' 

Experiment  2. — A  normal  individual  was  bled  directly  into  an  equal  amount 
of  citrate  solution  in  a  water  bath  at  41°  C.  The  cells  were  immediately  cen- 
trifuged  off,  and  varying  amounts  of  the  supernatant  fluid  added  to  a  5  per 
cent  suspension  of  sheep  cells,  previously  sensitized  with  human  serum  con- 
taining natural  sheep  amboceptor,  and  set  up  in  the  bath  at  41°  C.  Incubation 
was  at  41°  to  43°  C,  for  thirty  minutes. 

The  remainder  of  the  supernatant  fluid  was  retained  in  the  bath  at  41°  to 
43°  C,  for  thirty  minutes,  and  then  added  to  sensitized  cells. 

To  tubes,  each  of  which  contained  0.25  c.c.  of  a  5  per  cent  suspension  of 
washed  sheep-cells  and  0.125  c.c.  (=2  units)  of  human  serum  containing  anti- 
sheep  amboceptor,  inactivated  one-half  hour  at  56°  C,  was  added  the  citrated 
plasma,  prepared  as  above  described,  in  the  amounts  given  in  Table  I. 

TABLE  I. COMPLEMENT  CONTENT  OF  PLASMA  OF   NOEMAL  INDIVIDUAL. 


-Result- 


With  plasma  heated 

With  fresh  plasma  30  min.  at  41°  C. 

Citrated  plasma  Hemolysis  Hemolysis 

0.6 Complete  Complete 

0.3 Complete  Complete 

0.15 Almost  complete  Almost  complete 

0.075 Partial  Partial 

0.0375 Slight  Slight 

.0 None  None 


COMPLEMENT  IN  HUMAN  SERUM  257 

Experiment  3. — Two  patients,  one  with  a  temperature  of  104°  F.,  the  other 
104.5°  F.,  were  bled  directly  into  equal  amounts  of  citrate  solution,  in  a  water 
bath,  at  a  temperature  of  42°  C.  The  cells  were  at  once  centrifuged  off,  and 
the  plasma,  thus  diluted,  added  to  sheep  cells  sensitized  with  human  serum, 
as  in  Experiment  2,  already  in  the  bath  at  42°  C.  Incubation  was  at  42°  C, 
for  thirty  minutes. 

TABLE    II. — COMPLEMENT    CONTENT   OF    PLASMA    OF    FEBEXLE    PATIENT. 


Fresh  citrated  , Result * 

plasma  from                                                       Patient  A  Patient  B 

febrile  patients                                               Hemolysis  Hemolysis 

0.6 Complete  Complete 

0.3 Complete  Complete 

0.15 Complete  Almost  complete 

0.075 Partial  Partial 

0.0375 Slight  Slight 

.0 None  None 

From  the  above  experiments  the  following  conclusions  seem  jus- 
tified : 

1.  Human  complement  capable  of  acting  with  human  amboceptor 
to  produce  hemolysis  is  not  destroyed  by  a  temperature  of  41°  C.  for 
thirty  minutes. 

2.  Freshly  drawn  human  blood  contains  a  considerable  amount  of 
complement  capable  of  acting  with  human  hemolytic  amboceptor,  and 
such*  complement  is  not  destroyed  by  heating  at  41°  C.  for  thirty 
minutes. 

3.  The  blood  of  a  patient  with  a  temperature  of  40°  C.  contains 
complement  capable  of  acting  with  human  hemolytic  amboceptor. 

4.  Complement  does  not  necessarily  disappear  from  human  serums 
in  seventy-two  hours  after  withdrawal  from  the  body. 


EFFECTS  ON  TITRATIONS  OF  INEQUALITY  OF  SENSITI- 
ZATION OF  CORPUSCLES.* 

C.  H.  Bailey,  M.  D. 

It  is  well  known  that  corpuscles  will  absorb  many  times  the  amount 
of  specific  amboceptor  necessary  to  produce  hemolysis,  and  that  such 
absorption  takes  place  with  considerable  rapidity.  We  believe,  how- 
ever, that  the  importance  of  these  facts  in  quantitative  serum  work, 
as  titrations  for  lytic  or  complementary  power,  has  not  yet  been 
recognized.  The  author  has  frequently  noted  that  duplicate  titrations 
of  the  same  serum  gave  results  that  differed  beyond  reasonable  limits 
of  experimental  error,  and  that  the  reading  obtained  from  a  serum 
titration  could  be  influenced  considerably  by  slight  variations  in  the 
method  of  activating  the  corpuscles.  These  results  appear  to  be  due 
to  the  fact  that  when  corpuscles  are  added  to  an  amboceptor  dilution 
they  are  not  at  once  evenly  distributed  through  the  fluid,  and  thus, 
owing  to  the  rapidity  with  which  amboceptor  is  absorbed,  an  oppor- 
tunity is  afforded  for  certain  corpuscles  to  take  up  more  of  the  ambo- 
ceptor than  others,  and  unequal  sensitization  results.  If  this  be  the 
case,  it  will  be  seen  that  slight  variations  in  the  method  of  activating 
the  corpuscles  will  produce  variations  in  the  distribution  of  ambo- 
ceptor and  consequently  in  the  hemolysis  obtained. 

The  following  complement  titrations  illustrate  the  difference  in 
results  which  are  produced  by  different  methods  of  activating  the 
corpuscles : 

Experiment  I. — The  tubes  contained  a  1-10  dilution  of  guinea-pig  serum, 
in  the  amounts  shown  below,  with  sufficient  salt  solution  to  make  the  final  total 
in  each  tube  1.25  c.c. 

A.  To  each  tube  was  added  0.25  c.c.  of  a  1-2000  dilution  of  amboceptor 
(=  1  unit)  and  0.25  c.c.  of  a  5  per  cent  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles,  sep- 
arately. 

B.  Into  4  c.c.  of  a  1-2000  dilution  of  amboceptor  were  dropped,  rapidly,  but 
one  drop  at  a  time,  4  c.c.  of  a  5  per  cent  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles,  the 

♦Reprinted  from  the  Journal  of  Experimental  Medicine,  May,  1912,  xv. 

258 


SENSITIZATION  OF  CORPUSCLES  259 

receptacle  being  shaken  in  the  meantime.    Of  this  mixture,  0.5  c.c.  was  added 
to  each  tube. 

C.  Like  B,  except  that  the  process  was  reversed,  the  amboceptor  being 
added  to  the  corpuscles  ;  0.5  c.c.  was  added  to  each  tube. 

D.  Into  4  c.c.  of  the  5  per  cent  suspension  of  corpuscles  was  quickly  poured 
4  c.c.  of  the  amboceptor  dilution,  and  the  mixture  immediately  shaken ;  0.5  c.c. 
was  added  to  each  tuba 

The  results,  after  incubation  for  one  hour  at  37°,  were  as  follows : 

Guinea-pig  serum, 

1-10  dilution...   .375.3       .25     .225.2       .175.15     .125.1       .075.05     .025     0 

A C       C       C       C       C       AC    AC    AC    P       P       YS    YS      0 

B VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS  VS   0 

C C   C   C   C   C   C   C   AC  AC  P   VS  VS   0 

D C   C   C   C   C   C   C   C   ACP   VSVS   0 

Note. — In  this  and  the  following  experiments  C  =  complete  hemolysis, 
AC  =  almost  complete  hemolysis,  P  =  partial  hemolysis,  S  =  slight  hemolysis, 
VS  =  very  slight  hemolysis,  and  0  =  no  hemolysis. 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  although  the  amounts  of  amboceptor,  com- 
plement, and  cells,  and  the  dilutions,  are  the  same  in  corresponding 
tubes  of  the  different  series,  the  results  differ  considerably.  B  and  C 
are  methods  of  activation  which  would  hardly  be  used  in  practical 
work.  They  serve,  however,  to  illustrate  the  extreme  variation  in 
results  which  may  be  obtained.  It  is  evident  in  B  that  practically 
the  entire  amount  of  amboceptor  was  taken  up  by  the  first  few 
corpuscles  added,  consequently  they  were  the  only  ones  to  hemolyze ; 
and  there  is  little  difference  in  the  amount  of  hemolysis  resulting 
between  the  highest  and  lowest  tubes.  C,  on  the  other  hand,  as  might 
be  expected,  approaches  closely  to  an  even  sensitization.  A  and  D  are 
methods  which  are  often  used  in  complement  titration,  as  for  the 
Wassermann  reaction,  A  probably  more  commonly  than  D.  When 
a  cell  suspension  is  added  to  small  tubes  containing  amboceptor,  as 
was  done  in  A,  it  may  be  noted  that  frequently  a  few  cells  will  be 
distributed  through  the  liquid,  the  greater  bulk,  however,  remaining 
on  the  surface,  along  the  side  of  the  tube,  or  sinking  to  the  bottom, 
thus  affording  an  opportunity  for  a  few  cells  to  absorb  more  than 
their  share  of  the  amboceptor,  the  amount  depending,  of  course,  on  the 
interval  elapsing  between  the  introduction  of  the  cells  and  the  shaking 
of  the  tube. 

It  is  evident  that  to  cause  this  inequality,  the  absorption  of  ambo- 
ceptor by  corpuscles  must  be  very  rapid.  The  following  experiment 
was  done  to  obtain  some  idea  of  the  amount  of  amboceptor  absorbed 
by  corpuscles  in  a  given  time : 


260  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Experiment  II. — Amboceptor  absorption  in  A,  with  a  5  per  cent  suspension 
of  sheep  corpuscles,  and  corresponding  immune  rabbit  serum ;  in  B,  with  a 
2  per  cent  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles  and  corresponding  immune  rabbit 
serum.  The  amboceptor  was  so  diluted  as  to  contain  1,  2  and  5  units  of 
amboceptor  for  equal  quantities  of  the  5  per  cent  and  2  per  cent  suspension 
of  cells. 

a.  To  4  c.c.  of  diluted  amboceptor,  in  a  centrifuge  tube,  was  added  4  c.c. 
of  corpuscle  suspension,  and  the  mixture  immediately  centrifuged,  at  a  speed 
of  about  2,000  revolutions. 

b.  Like  a,  except  centrifuged  after  an  interval  of  2  minutes. 

c.  Like  a,  except  centrifuged  after  an  interval  of  5  minutes. 

From  each  was  taken  0.5,  1,  1.5  and  2  c.c.  of  the  diluted  amboceptor,  0.5 
being  approximately  equivalent  to  0.25  of  the  original  amboceptor  dilution,  and 
to  each  of  these  amounts  was  added  0.2  c.c.  of  a  1-10  dilution  of  guinea-pig 
serum  (=  1  unit  by  previous  titration)  and  0.25  c.c.  of  corpuscle  suspension, 
each  tube  being  immediately  shaken  after  the  addition  of  the  corpuscles.  For 
the  control  tubes  the  amboceptor  was  diluted  with  equal  parts  of  salt  solution. 
After  incubation  at  37°  for  one  hour  the  results  were  as  follows : 

Amboceptor 0.5        1  1.5        2 

A.  Five  per  cent   suspension  of  sheep   corpuscle 

1  unit  of  amboceptor 

Control C 

a 0 

b 0 

c 0 

2  units  of  amboceptor 

a VS 

b 0 

c 0 

5  units  of  amboceptor 

a C 

b P 

c S 

B.  Two  per   cent   suspension   of   sheep   corpuscle 

1  unit  of  amboceptor 

Control C 

a 0 

b 0 

c 0 

2  units  of  amboceptor 

a P 

b 0 

c 0 

5  units  of  amboceptor 

a C 

b C 

c P 


c 

c 

c 

0 

0 

VS 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

p 

p 

AC 

VS 

p 

AC 

VS 

VS 

s 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

p 

AC 

AC 

c 

c 

c 

s 

p 

AC 

0 

0 

VS 

0 

0 

0 

c 

c 

c 

p 

AC 

AC 

VS 

s 

P 

c 

c 

C 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

SENSITIZATION  OF  CORPUSCLES  261 

It  appears  from  the  above  experiment  that  a  5  per  cent  suspension 
of  corpuscles  almost  completely  absorbed  one  unit  of  amboceptor  in 
the  brief  time  necessary  to  centrifuge  off  the  cells.  About  three- 
quarters  of  the  2  units  of  amboceptor  appear  to  have  been  absorbed 
in  the  same  length  of  time,  while  of  the  5  unit  amboceptor  1  unit  at 
least  remained.  Absorption  by  the  2  per  cent  suspension  was  ap- 
parently not  so  rapid.  About  three-quarters  of  the  1  unit  and  about 
one-half  of  the  2  unit  amboceptor  were  absorbed  in  the  time  taken 
to  centrifuge,  while  of  the  5  units  at  least  1  unit  remained  even  after 
absorption  for  2  minutes  plus  the  time  taken  to  centrifuge. 

Definite  conclusions,  however,  cannot  be  drawn  from  such  an 
experiment  as  to  the  exact  amount  of  amboceptor  absorbed  or  the 
relative  speed  of  absorption  by  the  5  per  cent  and  2  per  cent  suspen- 
sion of  corpuscles,  as  it  is  not  known  to  what  extent  the  failure  of 
hemolysis  may  be  due  to  inhibitory  bodies  produced  by  the  addition 
of  corpuscles  for  the  purpose  of  amboceptor  absorption  ("Sachs- 
Friedberger  phenomenon").  Such  inhibitory  bodies  probably  do  not 
greatly  influence  the  results  obtained  in  this  experiment,  but  if  pres- 
ent it  is  natural  to  suppose  that  they  are  in  larger  amount  after 
absorption  with  a  5  per  cent  suspension  of  corpuscles  than  after 
absorption  with  a  2  per  cent  suspension  of  corpuscles. 

Though  the  cells  were  centrifuged  from  the  fluid  as  quickly  as 
possible,  an  interval  of  between  1  and  2  minutes  probably  elapsed 
before  their  complete  removal.  The  following  experiment  was  done 
to  show  that  an  appreciable  amount  of  amboceptor  is  absorbed  in  a 
considerably  shorter  time  than  this. 

Experiment  III. — A  1-10  dilution  of  guinea-pig  serum  was  used  in  the 
amounts  given  below,  with  sufficient  salt  solution  in  each  tube  to  make  the 
final  total  1.25  c.c.  A  5  per  cent  and  a  2  per  cent  suspension  of  sheep  corpus- 
cles, and  a  5  per  cent  and  a  2  per  cent  suspension  of  calf  corpuscles  were  used 
with  one  unit  of  the  respective  amboceptor ;  0.5  c.c.  of  the  corpuscle  suspension, 
activated  as  follows,  was  added  in  series : 

A.  3  c.c.  of  the  corpuscle  suspension  was  poured  into  3  c.c.  of  amboceptor 
dilution,  and  quickly  shaken. 

B.  0.5  c.c.  of  the  corpuscle  suspension  was  poured  into  3  c.c.  of  ambo- 
ceptor dilution,  shaken,  and,  15  seconds  later,  2.5  c.c.  of  the  corpuscle  suspen- 
sion added. 

C.  Like  B,  except  with  50  seconds  interval. 

D.  Like  B,  except  with  1  minute  interval. 

E.  Like  B,  except  with  2  minutes  interval. 

After  incubation  at  37°  for  one  hour  the  results  were  as  follows : 


262  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Guinea-pig  serum  diluted  1-10 5  .4  .3  .25  .2  .125.062.031.015 

5%  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles 

A C  C  C  C  C  C   AC  S   VS 

B C  C  C  C  AC  AC  P   S   0 

C C  C  C  AC  AC  P   S   VS  0 

D AC  AC  AC  P  P  P   S   VS  0 

2%  suspension  of  sheep  corpuscles 

A C       C       C       C       C       AC    VS     0  0 

B CCCCCPVSO  0 

C C       C       C       C       AC    P       VS     0  0 

D .' C       C       AC    AC    P       S       VS     0  0 

E AC    P       P       S       S       VS     VS     0  0 

5%  suspension  of  calf  corpuscles 

A C  C  C   C  C  C   AC  VS  0 

B C  C  C   C  C  AC  P  VS  0 

C C  C  AC  AC  AC  AC  P  VS  0 

D C  C  AC  AC  AC  P   VS  VS  0 

E AC  AC  P   P  S  S   VS  VS  0 

2%  suspension  of  calf  corpuscles 

A C  C  C  C   AC  P  VS  VS  0 

B C  C  C  C   AC  P  VS  0  0 

C C  C  C  AC  P   VS  VS  0  0 

D C  C  AC  P   VS  VS  VS  0  0 

E AC  AC  AC  P   VS  VS  VS  0  0 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  experiment  that  a  considerable 
effect  is  produced  on  the  degree  of  hemolysis  obtained  by  a  contact  of 
even  15  seconds  of  a  portion  of  the  corpuscles  with  the  amboceptor 
before  the  introduction  of  the  remainder.  The  effect  is  somewhat  less 
marked  with  the  2  per  cent  than  with  the  5  per  cent  suspension.  This, 
we  believe,  is  what  takes  place  in  greater  or  less  degree  in  any  serum 
titration  when  an  even  distribution  of  the  corpuscles  throughout 
the  amboceptor  dilution  is  not  at  once  obtained.  It  is  probably  im- 
possible to  obtain  an  absolutely  even  sensitization.  The  nearest  ap- 
proach to  this  is  produced  by  quickly  pouring  the  diluted  immune 
serum  into  an  equal  volume  of  the  corpuscle  suspension,  which  is 
shaken  during  and  for  a  short  period  after  the  mixing  (Exp.  I,  D). 
If  the  corpuscles  are  poured  slowly  into  the  amboceptor  or  intro- 
duced in  separate  lots,  as  with  a  5  or  10  c.c.  pipette,  unequal  sensitiza- 
tion will  result.  This  is  illustrated  in  an  extreme  degree  by  the 
method  of  sensitization  used  in  Exp.  I,  B,  that  of  dropping  the  cells 
into  the  amboceptor.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  the  reading  is  not  only 
higher  with  an  even  sensitization,  but  is  also  sharper;  that  is,  the 


SENSITIZATION  OF  CORPUSCLES  263 

change  from  complete  hemolysis  to  entire  lack  of  hemolysis,  instead 
of  being  gradual,  is  quite  sudden  (Exp.  I,  A  and  D). 

The  importance  in  practical  work  of  obtaining  as  uniform  a  dis- 
tribution of  amboceptor  as  possible  is  obvious,  as  well  as  the  necessity 
in  any  comparative  titration  of  using  suspensions  of  activated  cells 
in  the  various  titrations  which  are  exactly  alike  as  to  the  distribution 
of  amboceptor.  The  importance  of  complement  titration  for  the 
Wassermann  or  other  complement  absorption  tests  is  rightly  empha- 
sized. If,  however,  the  same  method  of  sensitization  is  not  used  in 
this  titration  as  is  used  in  the  final  stage  of  the  Wassermann  reaction, 
the  titration  is  of  little  value  as  an  index  of  the  activity  of  the  serum. 
It  is  a  common  practice  to  introduce  amboceptor  and  corpuscles  sep- 
arately in  a  complement  titration  (Exp.  I,  A),  while  corpuscles 
previously  sensitized  in  bulk  are  used  in  the  Wassermann  reaction. 
By  the  latter  method  it  is  much  easier  to  approximate  an  even  sen- 
sitization (Exp.  I,  D).  Thus  the  reading  obtained  in  a  complement 
titration  in  which  amboceptor  and  corpuscles  are  added  separately 
would  lead  one  to  use  an  excess  of  complement  in  performing  the 
reaction. 

In  an  amboceptor  titration,  the  immune  rabbit  serum  and  cor- 
puscles are  usually  introduced  separately — to  employ  separate  lots 
of  corpuscles  previously  activated  with  each  dilution  would  be  an 
exceedingly  tedious  task — yet  if  one  accepts  the  highest  dilution  with 
which  complete  hemolysis  is  obtained  as  the  titer  of  the  serum,  and 
with  this  dilution  titrates  the  same  complement  as  was  used  in  the 
amboceptor  titration,  hemolysis  will  be  obtained,  provided  more  evenly 
sensitized  corpuscles  are  here  used,  with  considerably  less  complement 
than  was  used  in  the  amboceptor  titration.  This  may  be  illustrated 
by  reference  to  Experiment  III.  It  is  stated  in  this  experiment  that 
one  unit  of  amboceptor  was  used.  Both  the  anti-sheep  and  the  anti- 
calf  amboceptor  were  titrated  before  this  experiment,  using  0.25  c.c. 
of  the  same  dilution  of  guinea-pig  serum  as  was  used  in  the  experi- 
ment. The  anti-sheep  serum  was  found  to  give  complete  hemolysis  of 
the  5  per  cent  corpuscles  in  a  dilution  of  1  to  800,  incomplete  in  1 
to  1,000 ;  the  anti-calf  gave  complete  hemolysis  of  the  5  per  cent  cor- 
puscles in  a  dilution  of  1  to  400,  incomplete  in  1  to  600.  In  the  ex- 
periment, however,  in  which  they  were  used  in  dilutions  of  1  to  800 
and  1  to  400,  respectively,  we  find  that  they  both  give  complete  hem- 
olysis when  previously  sensitized  corpuscles  are  used  (Exp.  Ill,  A) 
with  one-half  the  amount  of  complement  (0.125  c.c.)  with  which  they 


264  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

were  titrated.  A  retitration  of  the  anti-sheep  serum  with  0.25  c.c.  of 
the  complement  dilution,  using  0.5  c.c.  of  corpuscle  suspension  previ- 
ously activated  for  each  dilution  by  rapidly  mixing  5  c.c.  of  a  5  per 
cent  suspension  of  corpuscles  with  an  equal  amount  of  the  proper 
amboceptor  dilution,  gave  complete  hemolysis  in  a  dilution  of  1  to 
1,200.  We  must  conclude,  then,  that  an  amboceptor  as  well  as  a 
complement  titration  is  influenced  by  the  evenness  of  the  sensitization 
of  the  corpuscles. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

The  absorption  of  amboceptor  by  corpuscles  is  rapid,  a  consider- 
able amount  being  absorbed  in  as  short  a  period  as  15  seconds.  In  the 
sensitization  of  corpuscles,  the  amount  of  amboceptor  absorbed  by 
the  different  corpuscles  is  not  uniform,  the  inequality  depending  on 
the  time  taken  in  obtaining  an  even  distribution  of  the  corpuscles 
through  the  diluted  immune  serum.  Amboceptor  absorption  is  ap- 
parently influenced  by  the  concentration  of  the  corpuscles,  being  more 
rapid  with  a  5  per  cent  than  with  a  2  per  cent  suspension,  and  thus 
the  stronger  concentration  is  more  susceptible  to  inequality  of  sen- 
sitization from  variations  in  the  method  of  activation. 

In  experimental  work  it  is  of  importance  to  obtain  as  equal  a 
sensitization  as  possible.  It  is  essential  that  in  comparative  titrations 
the  same  method  of  activation  be  employed  in  the  several  titrations, 
and  where  possible,  it  is  advisable  that  all  the  cells  to  be  used  be 
sensitized  together  in  bulk. 

The  results  obtained  in  titrating  hemolytic  sera  and  complement 
depend  to  a  considerable  extent  on  the  evenness  of  sensitization  of  the 
corpuscles. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  COPPER— A  MODIFICATION  OF 
THE  IODIDE  METHOD.* 

E.  C.  Kendall,  Ph.D. 

For  the  determination  of  copper  the  most  important  methods  are 
the  electrolytic,  the  iodide,  and  the  cyanide.  As  the  determination  by 
means  of  the  electrolytic  method  requires  a  considerable  amount  of 
time  and  apparatus,  the  only  methods  for  the  rapid  estimation  of 
copper  are  the  iodide  and  the  cyanide. 

Upon  an  examination  of  the  two  volumetric  methods  mentioned  it 
is  apparent  that  in  respect  to  the  amount  of  time  and  attention  re- 
quired for  a  determination  the  cyanide  has  a  great  advantage  over 
the  iodide  method.  However,  in  respect  to  the  accuracy  of  the  results 
obtained  the  iodide  method  is  conceded  to  be  by  far  the  more  accurate 
of  the  two.  As  every  consideration  would  be  in  favor  of  the  iodide 
method  if  it  could  be  modified  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  it  as  rapid 
and  easy  of  manipulation  as  the  cyanide  method,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  make  such  a  modification. 

In  the  determination  of  copper  by  the  iodide  method  the  copper 
may  be  originally  present  as  copper,  copper  oxide,  or  sulfide.  The 
first  step  is  to  obtain  the  copper  in  solution.  Practically  the  only  way 
to  do  this  is  to  dissolve  it  in  nitric  acid.  The  solution  of  the  copper 
with  nitric  acid  produces  nitrous  acid  in  the  solution,  and  it  is  the 
removal  of  this  which  causes  the  delay  in  the  estimation  of  the  copper. 
As  the  method  is  described  in  the  literature,  the  nitrous  acid  is  de- 
stroyed with  bromine,  the  excess  of  bromine  being  removed  by  boiling ; 
or  the  nitrous  acid  is  removed  by  evaporating  to  dryness. 

The  modification  of  the  iodide  method  as  described  in  this  paper 
consists  in  the  destruction  of  the  nitrous  acid  without  boiling.  This 
is  accomplished  by  the  addition  of  a  small  amount  of  sodium  hypo- 
chlorite. The  addition  of  sodium  hypochlorite  to  a  nitric  acid  solution 
produces  hypochlorous  acid.     The  interaction  of  hypochlorous  acid 

♦From  the  Journal  of  the  American  Chemical  Society,  vol.  xxxiii,  No.  12, 
December,  1911. 

265 


266  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

and  nitrous  acid  results  in  the  oxidation  of  the  nitrous  acid  and  the 
formation  of  hydrochloric  acid,  and  the  reaction  between  hypochlorous 
and  hydrochloric  acid  results  in  the  destruction  of  the  hypochlorous 
acid  and  the  formation  of  free  chlorine  and  water.  As  the  solution 
of  sodium  hypochlorite  contains  small  amounts  of  chlorides,  hydro- 
chloric acid  will  always  be  present  when  the  solution  is  acidified,  thus 
insuring  the  destruction  of  the  hypochlorous  acid  and  the  formation 
of  free  chlorine.  We  thus  see  that  the  effect  of  adding  sodium  hypo- 
chlorite to  the  solution  is  the  complete  destruction  of  the  nitrous  acid 
and  the  formation  of  free  chlorine. 

To  remove  the  free  chlorine  in  solution  some  compound  must  be 
added  which  will  take  up  the  chlorine,  but  will  not  affect  subsequent 
operations.  Such  a  compound  is  found  in  phenol.  Under  the  condi- 
tions of  the  determination,  phenol  will  add  chlorine  directly  to  the 
benzene  ring,  but  is  not  affected  by  iodine  or  any  of  the  other  com- 
pounds in  the  solution.  Chlorophenol  not  being  ionized  removes  all 
traces  of  free  chlorine. 

This  modification  of  the  method  greatly  reduces  the  time  and  at- 
tention required  for  a  determination,  and,  in  addition,  the  copper 
solution  is  prepared  in  such  a  way  that  iodine  can  be  liberated  by 
copper  alone. 

In  the  determination,  the  copper,  copper  oxide,  or  sulfide  is  dis- 
solved in  nitric  acid.  After  the  addition  of  the  sodium  hypochlorite 
and  phenol,  which  requires  but  a  moment,  the  solution  is  made  slightly 
alkaline  with  sodium  hydroxide,  and  is  then  made  acid  with  acetic  acid, 
when  the  solution  is  ready  for  titration.  Potassium  iodide  and  starch 
are  added,  and  the  titration  is  made  to  the  disappearance  of  the  starch 
iodide  color.  There  is  never  any  fear  of  the  blue  color  "flashing 
back,"  and  the  solutions  will  remain  colorless  indefinitely  after  the 
titration.  As  the  ionization  constant  for  acetic  acid  is  too  low  to 
allow  nitrates  to  liberate  iodine,  the  amount  of  nitric  acid  in  solution 
is  immaterial.  Even  20  c.c.  of  concentrated  nitric  acid  will  not  affect 
the  titration.  However,  too  great  an  acidity  is  to  be  avoided,  as 
nitrophenol  will  be  formed.  The  presence  of  nitrophenol  prevents 
the  determination  of  copper,  but  there  is  no  danger  of  its  formation 
even  in  the  presence  of  a  large  amount  of  acid  if  the  solution  is  neu- 
tralized soon  after  the  addition  of  the  phenol.  If  a  large  amount  of 
nitric  acid  is  used  to  dissolve  the  copper,  it  should  therefore  be  partly 
neutralized  before  addition  of  the  phenol. 

As  chlorine  easily  oxidizes  phenol  to  compounds  which  prevent  the 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  COPPER  267 

determination  of  copper,  it  is  essential  that  all  of  the  phenol  be  added 
quickly  to  the  solution.  Under  these  conditions  the  chlorine  adds 
directly  to  the  benzene  ring,  but  if  the  phenol  is  added  drop  by  drop 
the  chlorine  will  oxidize  it,  producing  colored  compounds  in  solution. 

In  order  to  add  the  phenol  quickly  enough  to  the  solution  it  may  be 
poured  in  from  a  beaker,  or,  a  more  convenient  way,  from  a  pipette 
from  which  the  tip  has  been  removed  so  that  the  delivery  is  from  an 
opening  which  is  of  the  same  bore  as  the  rest  of  the  tube.  By  forcing 
the  phenol  out  of  such  a  pipette  with  the  breath,  the  entire  volume  is 
added  very  quickly  and  at  the  same  time  the  phenol  is  well  mixed  with 
the  contents  of  the  flask. 

After  addition  of  the  phenol  the  chlorine  gas  which  is  in  the  flask 
above  the  liquid  is  removed  by  blowing  it  out  with  the  breath,  and 
the  sides  of  the  flask  are  washed  with  a  jet  of  water  from  a  wash 
bottle.  There  should  be  no  odor  of  chlorine  just  before  the  solution, 
is  made  alkaline. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  end  point  of  the  titration  is  not 
pure  white.  Cuprous  iodide  has  a  cream  color,  and  when  a  large 
amount  of  copper  is  present  the  cuprous  iodide  gives  a  decided  tint 
to  the  solution.  When  the  end  point  is  nearly  reached  a  drop  of  the 
thiosulfate  is  allowed  to  fall  into  the  center  of  the  flask.  If  a  change 
of  color  occurs  the  solution  is  given  a  slight  rotary  motion  and  after 
the  solution  is  again  quiet  another  drop  of  the  thiosulfate  is  added. 
This  "spot  test"  is  easily  recognized  and  gives  a  very  accurate  end 
point. 

The  speed  of  reaction  of  the  copper  with  potassium  iodide  varies 
with  the  volume.  In  a  small  volume  the  action  is  rapid  and  all  of  the 
iodine  is  liberated  at  once,  but  in  a  large  volume  an  appreciable  time 
may  be  required  for  all  of  the  copper  to  react.  This  is  especially 
noticeable  when  a  small  amount  of  copper  is  present.  A  high  con- 
centration of  potassium  iodide  greatly  assists  the  liberation  of  the 
iodine.  Accurate  results  cannot  be  obtained  unless  at  least  3  grams 
of  potassium  iodide  are  added,  irrespective  of  the  amount  of  copper 
present,  up  to  500  mg.  of  copper. 

The  solutions  required  are:1 

A.  The  Sodium  Hypochlorite  solution  is  made  by  boiling  together 
a  mixture  of  112  grams  of  calcium  hypochlorite  and  100  grams  of 
anhydrous  sodium  carbonate  in  1,200  c.c.  of  water.  After  the  calcium 

'The  weights  given  here  are  for  calcium  hypochlorite  having  35  per  cent  or 
more  available  chlorine. 


268  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

is  precipitated  as  carbonate,  the  solution  is  filtered  and  its  strength 
found  as  follows :  5  c.c.  of  the  hypochlorite  solution  are  added  to  100 
c.c.  of  water  containing  5  c.c.  of  30  per  cent  potassium  iodide  solution, 
and  a  few  c.c.  of  dilute  hydrochloric  acid  are  added.  The  liberated 
iodine  is  titrated  with  0.1  N  sodium  thiosulfate.  The  volume  of  the 
solution  is  now  adjusted  so  that  5  c.c.  of  the  hypochlorite  solution  are 
equivalent  to  30  c.c.  of  0.1  N  sodium  thiosulfate. 

B.  Phenol — A  5  per  cent  colorless  solution  of  phenol. 

C.  Sodium  Hydroxide — A  20  per  cent  solution. 

D.  Acetic  Acid,  50  per  cent. 

E.  Potassium  Iodide — A  convenient  way  to  use  this  is  to  prepare 
a  solution  which  contains  30  grams  per  100  c.c.  of  solution.  Then 
10  c.c.  will  contain  3  grams,  which  is  the  amount  needed  for  a  de- 
termination. 

F.  Sodium  Thiosulfate — For  the  accurate  titration  of  the  liberated 
iodine  two  solutions  are  used.  One  strong  solution,  1  c.c.  of  which 
equals  6  mg.  of  copper,  and  a  weak  solution,  1  c.c.  of  which  equals 
1  mg.  of  copper.  The  strong  solution  is  run  in  until  the  iodine  liber- 
ated by  the  copper  gives  a  light  straw  color  to  the  solution.  Starch 
is  then  added  and  the  titration  is  finished  with  the  weak  solution. 

As  a  thiosulfate  solution  loses  strength,  it  should  be  restandardized 
from  time  to  time.  A  convenient  way  to  do  this  is  as  follows :  A  solu- 
tion of  sodium  thiosulfate,  approximately  0.1  N,  is  made  by  dissolving 
24  grams  of  the  crystallized  salt  per  liter  of  water.  After  the  solution 
has  stood  at  least  24  hours  it  is  standardized  against  copper  by  the 
method  described  below.  Pure  electrolytic  copper  which  has  been 
cleaned  with  emery  paper  should  be  used.  After  dissolving  150  to 
200  mg.  of  the  copper  in  6  to  8  c.c.  of  50  per  cent  nitric  acid  the  so- 
lution is  treated  as  described  below  and  the  thiosulfate  is  then  stand- 
ardized with  this  known  weight  of  copper.  The  most  convenient 
means  of  restandardizing  the  thiosulfate  is  to  use  a  solution  of  acid 
potassium  iodate.  Acid  potassium  iodate  has  the  formula  KI03.HI03, 
so  that  a  normal  solution  has  one-twelfth  the  molecular  weight  in 
grams  per  liter.  A  0.1  N  solution  is  prepared  by  dissolving  3.249 
grams  of  the  salt  in  1  liter  of  water,  and  it  is  standardized  against 
a  known  strength  of  thiosulfate  as  follows:  Add  10  c.c.  of  the  acid 
iodate  solution  to  150  c.c.  of  water  containing  0.5  to  1  c.c.  of  hydro- 
chloric acid.  Upon  the  addition  of  potassium  iodide,  iodine  will  be 
liberated  according  to  the  equation 

HIO.3  +  5HI  =  +  3H20  +  61. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  COPPER  209 

Starch  is  added  and  the  titration  is  made  to  a  colorless  solution.  From 
this  titration  the  weight  of  copper  to  which  20  c.c.  of  this  solution  are 
equivalent  is  accurately  determined.  A  20  c.c.  pipette  is  passed  through 
a  one-hole  stopper  and  is  allowed  to  remain  in  the  acid  iodate  bottle. 
The  end  of  the  pipette  is  closed  with  a  small  rubber  stopper.  The  ex- 
act copper  equivalent  of  a  thiosulfate  solution  is  now  easily  found  by 
titrating  20  c.c.  of  the  acid  iodate  solution  whose  copper  equivalent  is 
known  with  the  thiosulfate  as  described  above.  The  acid  iodate  re- 
mains constant  indefinitely. 

G.  Starch  for  Indicator — The  best  preparation  for  this  purpose  is 
a  0.5  per  cent  solution  of  Kahlbaum's  soluble  starch.  This  is  prepared 
as  ordinary  starch,  but  gives  a  perfectly  clear  solution  which  is  very 
sensitive  with  iodine.  If  ordinary  starch  must  be  used  it  should  be 
free  from  all  cloudiness. 

DETAILED    DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    METHOD. 

If  the  copper  to  be  determined  is  present  as  metallic  copper,  200- 
300  mg.  are  placed  in  a  300  c.c.  flask  and  dissolved  in  5-10  c.c.  of  50 
per  cent  nitric  acid. 

If  the  copper  is  present  as  cuprous  oxide,  it  is  filtered  on  a  Gooch 
crucible  through  asbestos.  The  cuprous  oxide  is  then  dissolved 
through  the  Gooch  crucible  with  10-15  c.c.  of  30  per  cent  nitric  acid 
into  a  300  c.c.  Erlenmeyer  flask. 

If  the  copper  is  in  the  form  of  sulfide,  it  is  filtered  on  a  Gooch 
crucible  which  has  a  layer  of  asbestos  one-eighth  inch  in  thickness. 
The  crucible  is  then  placed  in  a  small  beaker  of  50  c.c.  capacity,  and 
10  c.c.  of  50  per  cent  nitric  acid  are  added.  The  beaker  is  placed  on 
a  hot  plate,  and  the  nitric  acid  allowed  to  boil  until  all  the  black  sul- 
fide has  gone  into  solution.  The  crucible  is  then  washed  off,  and  the 
solution  transferred  to  a  300  c.c.  Erlenmeyer  flask.  The  presence  of 
the  asbestos  in  the  solution  does  not  interfere  with  the  titration  of 
the  copper. 

If  the  copper  to  be  determined  is  already  in  solution  as  sulfate, 
chloride,  or  other  salt,  sufficient  solution  is  taken  to  give  100  to  300 
mg.  of  copper. 

Having  obtained  the  copper  in  solution,  preferably  in  a  300  c.c. 
Erlenmeyer  flask,  the  volume  being  between  50  and  60  c.c,  the  acidity 
is  adjusted  to  equal  4  to  5  c.c.  of  concentrated  nitric  acid.  A  greater 
volume  of  acidity  is  to  be  avoided.  The  temperature  should  not  be 
above  25°.  Five  c.c.  of  the  hypochlorite  solution  are  now  added  to 
the  copper  solution,  which  is  well  mixed  with  a  rotary  motion.     As 


270  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

soon  as  the  color  of  the  copper  solution  changes  from  a  clear  blue  to 
a  greenish  tint,  sufficient  hypochlorite  has  been  added.  Another  in- 
dication of  a  sufficient  amount  of  hypochlorite  is  the  liberation  of 
chlorine.  For  weights  of  copper  up  to  200  mg.,  2-3  c.c.  of  the  hypo- 
chlorite are  sufficient.  For  larger  amounts  of  copper  more  hypo- 
chlorite may  be  needed,  but  5  c.c.  will  be  sufficient  for  any  amount 
of  copper  which  would  be  determined  by  this  method.  The  reactions 
between  the  hypochlorous  and  nitrous  acid  require  an  appreciable  time 
and  the  best  results  are  obtained  by  allowing  the  solution  to  stand 
about  2  minutes  before  the  addition  of  the  phenol.  This,  however, 
is  not  essential.  Ten  c.c.  of  the  phenol  solution  are  now  added  as 
quickly  as  possible,  by  blowing  the  solution  from  a  pipette  from  which 
the  tip  has  been  removed. 

The  chlorine  gas  which  remains  in  the  flask  above  the  liquid  is  re- 
moved by  blowing  into  the  flask  and  the  sides  are  washed  down  with 
a  jet  of  water.  If  the  solution  is  allowed  to  stand  at  this  point,  nitro- 
phenol  will  slowly  form.  Sodium  hydroxide  is  therefore  added  until 
a  very  slight  precipitate  is  obtained.  The  solution  is  now  made  acid 
with  acetic  acid ;  only  a  few  drops  should  be  required  to  dissolve  the 
precipitate.  Ten  c.c.  of  the  potassium  iodide  are  added  and  the  ti- 
tration made  with  the  standardized  thiosulfate.  If  great  accuracy  is 
required  the  titration  is  finished  with  a  weak  solution  of  thiosulfate. 

The  following  are  some  results  obtained  by  the  method  described 
above.  The  milligrams  found  and  the  error  are  calculated  only  to  a 
point  which  is  within  the  degree  of  accuracy  of  the  apparatus  used. 


DETERMINATION    OF    COPPER 


Copper  taken 

Copper  found 

Error 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

20.00 

20.01 

+  0.01 

20.00 

19.99 

—0.01 

20.00 

20.00 

0.00 

30.00 

29.99 

—0.01 

30.00 

30.00 

0.00 

40.00 

39.98 

—0.02 

40.00 

39.96 

—0.04 

60.00 

60.01 

+  0.01 

60.00 

60.01 

+  0.01 

80.00 

80.12 

+  0.12 

80.00 

80.03 

+  0.03 

80.00 

79.98 

—0.02 

80.00 

79.98 

—0.02 

Error 
Per  cent. 
+  0.05 
—0.05 

0.00 
—0.03 

0.00 
—0.05 
—0.10 
+  0.02 
+  0.02 
+  0.15 
+  0.04 
—0.02 
—0.02 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  COPPER 


271 


Copper  taken 

Coppei*  found 

Error 

Error 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Per  cent. 

100.00 

100.00 

0.00 

0.00 

100.00 

99.99 

—0.01 

—0.01 

120.00 

119.95 

—0.05 

—O.04 

140.00 

140.00 

0.00 

0.00 

160.00 

160.00 

0.00 

0.00 

160.00 

160.00 

0.00 

0.00 

180.00 

180.00 

0.00 

0.00 

180.00 

180.00 

0.00 

0.00 

200.00 

200.00 

0.00 

0.00 

200.00 

199.9 

—0.1 

—0.05 

203.2 

203.2 

0.00 

0.00 

220.2 

220.1 

-o.l 

—0.05 

240.0 

240.0 

0.00 

0.00 

240.0 

240.2 

+  0.2 

+  0.08 

261.6 

261.6 

0.00 

0.00 

280.0 

280.0 

0.00 

0.00 

280.0 

280.3 

+  0.3 

+0.10 

300.0 

300.1 

+  0.1 

+  0.03 

320.0 

319.9 

—0.1 

—0.03 

320.0 

319.9 

—0.1 

—0.03 

340.0 

340.0 

0.00 

0.00 

Note. — The  sum  of  the  +  and  —  errors  very  nearly  equals  zero. 


For  the  opportunity  of  carrying  out  this  work  I  wish  to  thank  Dr. 
N.  B.  Foster  and  for  assistance  with  the  analytical  work  Mr.  A.  W. 
Thomas. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  IN  THE  PRESENCE  OF 
OTHER  HALOGENS  AND  ORGANIC  MATTER. 

E.  C.  Kendall,  Ph.D. 

During  an  investigation  of  the  iodine  bearing  compound  of  the 
thyroid  gland  a  method  for  the  determination  of  small  amounts  of 
iodine  in  organic  combination  was  worked  out  in  this  laboratory.  As 
the  reactions  involved  in  this  method  are  quantitative  when  larger 
amounts  of  iodine  are  present,  conditions  have  been  established  which 
furnish  a  rapid  and  accurate  method  for  the  determination  of  iodine 
in  the  presence  of  bromides,  chlorides,  and  organic  matter. 

For  the  determination  of  iodine  when  present  as  an  iodide  or  in 
the  uncombined  condition,  Andrews1  has  proposed  a  volumetric 
method  in  which  the  iodine  is  oxidized  to  iodine  chloride  by  means 
of  iodic  acid.  The  titration  by  Andrews'  method  is  done  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  excess  of  hydrochloric  acid,  the  end  point  being  the 
disappearance  of  iodine.  As  the  oxidation  of  the  iodine  is  limited  by 
the  acid  to  the  formation  of  I  CI,  one  molecular  weight  of  iodine  re- 
acts with  but  two  molecular  weights  of  chlorine. 
El  +  Cl2  =  KC1  +  IC1. 

If  the  oxidation  of  the  iodine  is  carried  out  under  conditions  which 
permit  the  quantitative  formation  of  iodic  acid,  one  molecular  weight 
of  iodine  requires  six  molecular  weights  of  chlorine,  as  shown  by  the 
equation 

Kl  +  3C12  +  3H20  =  KC1  +  HI03  +  5HC1. 
Dupre's  method  for  the  determination  of  iodine  is  based  upon  this  re- 
action, weak  chlorine  water  being  used  for  the  oxidation.  In  a  recent 
paper  by  Hunter2  a  method  is  proposed  in  which  the  iodine  is  oxidized 
to  iodic  acid  with  sodium  hypochlorite,  and  after  the  removal  of  the 
excess  of  hypochlorite  the  weight  of  iodic  acid  is  determined  by  the 
further  addition  of  potassium  iodide.  Iodic  acid  and  potassium  iodide 
react  as  follows: 

HI03  +  SHI  =  31,  +  3H20. 

'Jour.  Amer.  Chem.  Soe,  25,  756. 

sJour.  Biological  Chem.  (1910),  vol.  vii,  p.  321. 

272 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  273 

The  liberated  iodine  is  titrated  with  sodium  thiosulfate,  the  weight 
of  iodine  titrated  being  six  times  the  weight  originally  present. 

The  method  described  in  this  paper  is  based  upon  the  oxidation  of 
the  iodine  to  iodic  acid  and  the  subsequent  determination  of  the 
amount  of  iodic  acid  formed. 

DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  WHEN  PRESENT  AS  AN  IODIDE  OR  FREE  IODINE. 

For  the  determination  of  iodine  when  present  as  an  iodide  or  in  the 
uncombined  condition,  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  solution  of  the  iodine 
which  is  free  from  organic  matter  or  oxidizing  agents,  such  as  arsenic, 
antimony,  copper,  nitrites,  and  all  compounds  which  liberate  iodine 
from  potassium  iodide.  If  bromine  or  any  compounds  which  inter- 
fere are  present,  the  method  is  modified  as  described  below. 

The  solution  containing  the  iodine  is  placed  in  a  500  c.c.  flask,  the 
total  volume  of  the  solution  being  between  200  and  250  c.c.  The 
solution3  should  have  a  neutral  or  very  slightly  alkaline  reaction. 
Five  c.c.  of  phosphoric  acid  (85  per  cent  diluted  with  an  equal  volume 
of  water)  are  added  to  the  solution.  A  solution  of  sodium  hypo- 
chlorite4 is  now  added,  while  the  solution  is  shaken  with  a  rotary 
motion.  If  an  iodide  is  present  iodine  will  be  liberated,  but  the  fur- 
ther addition  of  hypochlorite  will  oxidize  this  to  iodic  acid.  The 
hypochlorite  should  be  added  slowly,  and  care  should  be  taken  to 
avoid  adding  more  than  is  necessary  to  give  a  colorless  solution.  The 
solution  is  allowed  to  stand  2  to  3  minutes  after  becoming  colorless  and 
then  10  c.c.  of  a  colorless  5  per  cent  solution  of  phenol  are  added. 
The  phenol  combines  with  the  free  chlorine  in  solution,  forming 
chlorophenol.  This  compound  being  unionized,  removes  all  traces  of 
chlorine  from  the  sphere  of  reaction.  When  a  solution  of  phenol  is 
slowly  added  to  a  solution  containing  free  chlorine  the  phenol  is 
partially  oxidized,  producing  colored  compounds,  but  if  the  phenol  is 

•To  prevent  loss  of  iodine  at  this  point  the  solution  must  be  cold,  and  when 
more  than  100  mg.  of  iodine  are  present  the  solution  in  the  flask  should  be 
covered  with  a  few  c.c.  of  benzol. 

*A  convenient  means  of  preparing  this  reagent  in  a  proper  concentration  is 
to  add  112  gm.  of  calcium  hypochloride  whose  available  chlorine  is  approximately 
35%  to  1,200  c.c.  of  water.  Stir  the  mixture,  to  break  up  any  lumps,  and  heat 
to  boiling.  One  hundred  grams  of  anhydrous  sodium  carbonate  are  now 
added,  and  the  solution  boiled  10  to  12  minutes.  After  cooling,  the  precipitate 
of  calcium  carbonate  is  filtered  off  and  the  solution  of  sodium  hypochlorite  is 
kept  in  a  black-colored  bottle. 


274  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

all  added  at  once  the  chlorine  adds  to  the  benzol  ring  without  oxida- 
tion of  the  phenol.  For  this  reason  the  phenol  is  added  to  the  flask 
as  rapidly  as  possible.  This  is  accomplished  by  forcing  the  phenol 
with  "the  breath  from  a  10  c.c.  pipet  from  which  the  tip  has  been 
removed,  so  that  the  delivery  is  from  an  opening  which  is  the  same 
bore  as  the  rest  of  the  tube.  A  few  drops  of  phenolphthalein  are 
added  and  the  solution  is  made  slightly  alkaline  with  30  per  cent  so- 
dium hydroxide  which  is  free  from  nitrites.  The  solution  is  now  made 
acid  with  10  c.c.  of  50  per  cent  phosphoric  acid.  Upon  the  addition 
of  potassium  iodide  the  iodic  acid  in  solution  will  liberate  iodine 
which  is  titrated  with  sodium  thiosulfate.  The  amount  of  potassium 
iodide  added  should  be  sufficient  to  leave  an  excess  after  reacting  with 
the  iodic  acid.  The  weight  of  potassium  iodide  required  is,  roughly, 
eight  times  the  weight  of  the  iodine  originally  present. 

The  effect  of  the  presence  of  small  amounts  of  oxidizing  compounds 
is  considerably  lessened  if  the  solution  is  made  alkaline  and  is  then 
acidified  again.    This  step  is  necessary  to  secure  satisfactory  results. 

The  most  satisfactory  method  for  standardizing  the  sodium  thio- 
sulfate which  is  used  to  titrate  the  iodine  liberated  by  the  iodic 
acid  is  as  follows :  Ten  grams  of  freshly  resublimed  iodine  are  weighed 
out  in  a  weighing  bottle.  This  is  placed  in  a  large  Erlenmeyer  flask 
containing  5  grams  of  sodium  hydroxide  dissolved  in  400-500  c.c.  of 
water.  The  cover  is  removed  from  the  bottle  and  the  iodine  is  dis- 
solved in  the  alkali.  The  solution  is  now  diluted  to  two  liters;  1  c.c. 
will  contain  5  mgms.  of  iodine.  For  standardizing,  the  iodine  solution 
is  measured  into  a  flask,  the  volume  is  made  between  200-250  c.c.  and 
then  the  acid  and  hypochlorite  are  added  as  described  above.  The 
number  of  c.c.  of  thiosulfate  divided  into  the  weight  of  iodine 
measured  into  the  flasks  is  the  standard  of  the  sodium  thiosulfate 
for  the  iodine  originally  present.5  If  more  than  100  mgms.  of  iodine 
are  present  there  is  danger  of  loss  of  iodine  by  volatilization  during 
the  titration.  A  satisfactory  means  of  preventing  this  is  to  add  a 
few  c.c.  of  benzol  to  the  flask.  This  will  float  on  the  surface  and 
prevent  loss  of  iodine.  Care  should  be  taken  to  finish  the  titration 
with  starch  and  to  shake  the  solution  vigorously  when  near  the  end 
point. 

By  the  method  described  above  the  following  results  were  obtained. 

The  "original  iodine"  equivalent  of  sodium  thiosulfate  in  this  titration 
is  one-sixth  the  amount  found  by  the  titration.  Hence,  if  N/10  thiosulfate  is 
used,  the  standard  will  be  approximately  2.115  mg.  of  original  iodine  per  c.c. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  275 

The  iodine  was  present  in  the  form  of  potassium  iodide,  which  was 
prepared  by  dissolving  a  known  weight  of  pure  iodine  in  potassium 
hydroxide  and  reducing  with  metallic  aluminium. 


Iodine 

Iodine 

Error 

Error 

taken 

found 

Mg. 

Per  cent 

5.079 

5.077 

—.002 

.04 

5.079 

5.040 

—.039 

.76 

7.618 

7.619 

.001 

.01 

7.618 

7.630 

.012 

.15 

10.158 

10.136 

—.022 

.22 

10.158 

10.150 

—.008 

.08 

12.698 

12.717 

.019 

.15 

12.698 

12.707 

.009 

.07 

15.237 

15.166 

—.071 

.46 

15.237 

15.213 

—.024 

.16 

17.776 

17.742 

—.034 

.19 

17.776 

17.756 

—.020 

.11 

20.316 

20.337 

.021 

.10 

20.316 

20.394 

.078 

.38 

22.855 

22.820 

—.035 

.15 

22.855 

22.871 

.016 

.07 

25.395 

25.434 

.039 

.15 

25.395 

25.340 

—.055 

.22 

30.06 

30.13 

.07 

.23 

30.06 

30.13 

.07 

.23 

40.08 

40.10 

.02 

.05 

40.08 

40.10 

.02 

.05 

50.10 

50.17 

.07 

.13 

50.10 

50.30 

.20 

.39 

60.12 

60.07 

—.05 

.09 

60.12 

60.26 

.14 

.23 

70.14 

70.18 

.04 

.05 

70.14 

70.27 

.14 

.20 

80.16 

80.19 

.03 

.04 

80.16 

80.11 

—.05 

.06 

90.18 

90.20 

.02 

.02 

90.18 

90.39 

.21 

.23 

100.20 

100.12 

—.08 

.08 

100.20 

99.74* 

— .46a 

.46 

125.45 

125.65 

.20 

.16 

125.45 

125.45 

.00 

.00 

150.57 

150.62 

.05 

.03 

150.57 

150.54 

—.03 

.02 

150.57 

150.54 

—.03 

.02 

175.66 

175.80 

.14 

.08 

"Iodine  was  lost,  as  no  benzol  covering  was  used  in  this  determination. 


276  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Iodine 

Iodine 

Error 

Error 

taken 

found 

Mg. 

Per  cent 

200.71 

175.59 

—.07 

.04 

200.71 

200.80 

.09 

.04 

200.71 

200.76 

.05 

.02 

225.85 

225.53 

—.32 

.15 

225.85 

226.00 

.15 

.07 

250.95 

250.91 

—.04 

.02 

250.95 

250.91 

—.04 

.02 

276.04 

275.88 

—.16 

.06 

276.04 

276.12 

.08 

.03 

301.15 

301.45 

.31 

.10 

301.14 

301.05 

—.09 

.03 

326.23 

326.02 

—.21 

.07 

326.23 

326.02 

—.21 

.07 

361.33 

350.78 

—.55 

.15 

DETERMINATION  OP  IODINE  IN  THE  PRESENCE  OP  BROMIDES  AND  CHLORIDES. 

When  bromine  or  a  bromide  is  present  in  a  solution  to  which  hypo- 
chlorite is  added  there  is  no  oxidation  of  the  bromine  similar  to  the 
oxidation  of  iodine.  Furthermore,  the  presence  of  the  bromine  does 
not  interfere  with  the  oxidation  of  the  iodine.  Hydrobromic  acid, 
when  present  in  large  amount,  will  reduce  iodic  acid,  but  all  hydro- 
bromic acid  may  be  removed  by  the  addition  of  sufficient  sodium 
hypochlorite. 

The  method  for  the  determination  of  iodine  in  the  presence  of 
bromine  is  as  follows:  The  iodine  (in  the  form  of  iodide  or  uncom- 
bined)  is  dissolved  in  200-250  c.c.  of  water  having  a  neutral  or  slightly 
alkaline  solution.  Five  c.c.  of  phosphoric  acid  (85  per  cent  diluted 
with  an  equal  volume  of  water)  and  10  c.c.  of  benzol  are  added. 
Sufficient  sodium  hypochlorite  is  now  added  to  liberate  all  of  the 
bromine  and  oxidize  the  iodine.  Iodine  will  be  liberated  at  first,  but 
this  will  be  further  oxidized  to  iodic  acid.  It  is  imperative  that  all 
the  bromine  be  liberated.  A  small  amount  of  powdered  pumice  is 
added  and  the  solution  boiled.  The  benzol  reacts  with  the  hypo- 
bromite  and  hypochlorite,  forming  brom-  and  chlor-benzol.  The  free 
bromine  boils  out  of  solution.  A  precipitate  of  brom-benzol  may  form, 
but  this  does  not  affect  subsequent  operations.  After  a  few  minutes' 
boiling,  all  traces  of  bromine  are  removed.  The  solution  is  now  re- 
moved from  the  flame  and  cooled.  Under  these  conditions,  it  is  not 
necessary  to  neutralize  and  acidify,  but  the  potassium  iodide  is  added 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE 


277 


50 

'  0.1  g. 

50 

'  0.5  g. 

50 

'  1.0  g. 

100 

'  no 

100 

•  0.1  g. 

100 

'  0.5  g. 

100 

'  1.0  g. 

250 

'  nQ 

250 

'   0.1  g. 

250 

'   0.5  g. 

250 

'  1.0  g. 

directly  to  the  cold  solution.    A  cover  of  benzol  should  be  used  for 
weights  of  iodine  over  100  mg. 

The  following  results  show  that  there  is  no  appreciable  interfer- 
ence of  the  bromine  in  the  determination  of  iodine  by  this  method : 

50  mgms.  iodine  and  no  potassium  bromide  required,  26.38  c.c.  sod.  thiosulfate 

26.38 
26.30 
26.30 
20.50 
20.48 
20.50 
20.48 
46.10 
46.00 
46.15 
45.88 

In  standardizing  the  sodium  thiosulfate  to  be  used  when  bromine 
is  present,  more  satisfactory  results  are  obtained  by  establishing  the 
standard  with  a  known  weight  of  the  iodine  solution  as  prepared 
above,  under  the  conditions  which  are  described  for  the  determination, 
of  iodine  in  the  presence  of  bromine. 

The  presence  of  chlorides  has  no  effect  upon  the  determination  of 
iodine  by  this  method  and  there  is  no  need  of  boiling  the  solution. 
The  following  results  bear  on  this  point: 

50  mgms.  iodine  and  no  sodium  chloride  required,  26.50  c.c.  thiosulfate 

50 '    1.0  g.    "  "  "  26.50    " 

50       ' 5.0  g.    "  "  "  26.51    " 

50       "  "         "  10.0  g.    "  "  "  26.50    " 

These  results  were  obtained  by  the  method  outlined  under  the 
heading,  Determination  of  Iodine  When  Present  as  Iodide  or  Free 
Iodine. 

When  iodine  is  to  be  determined  in  the  presence  of  organic  matter, 
or  nitrites,  copper,  iron,  lead,  mercury,  and  silver,  it  is  necessary  to 
remove  these  interfering  substances  and  prepare  the  iodine  as  an 
iodide  for  the  determination. 

DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  IN  THE  PRESENCE  OF  ORGANIC  MATTER  AND 
INTERFERING    ELEMENTS. 


The  most  satisfactory  means  of  removing  the  above-mentioned  sub- 
stances is  by  a  fusion  which  will  destroy  organic  matter,  retain  the 
iodine  as  an  iodide,  and  by  forming  insoluble  compounds,  remove 
interfering  elements. 

Many  fusion  mixtures  have  been  proposed  for  the  destruction  of 


278  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

organic  matter,  but  when  tried  did  not  give  entirely  satisfactory  re- 
sults for  the  peculiar  needs  of  this  method.  The  determination  of 
iodine  in  the  presence  of  organic  material,  as  worked  out  in  this 
laboratory,  is  as  follows: 

DETAILED  DESCRIPTION   OF  METHOD. 

The  Fusion.* — The  fusion  takes  place  in  two  stages:  first,  the  oxida- 
tion of  the  organic  matter ;  second,  the  reduction  of  all  oxidizing  com- 
pounds. The  destruction  of  the  organic  matter  is  accomplished  by 
fusion  with  a  mixture  of  sodium  potassium  carbonate  and  potassium 
chlorate.  The  mixture  is  made  by  grinding  together  and  passing 
through  a  20-mesh  sieve: 

138  grams  of  potassium  carbonate    (anhydrous) 
106       "      "  sodium  carbonate  (anhydrous) 
100        "      "  potassium  chlorate  (anhydrous) 

One  gram  or  less  of  the  organic  material  is  placed  in  the  bottom 
of  a  2%-inch  nickel  crucible.  This  is  dissolved  in  a  few  c.c.  of  30 
per  cent  sodium  hydroxide.  The  water  is  evaporated  by  placing  the 
crucible  in  a  hot  air  oven  at  a  temperature  of  150-200°.  Fifteen  grams 
of  the  fusion  mixture  are  now  added,  the  cover  is  placed  on  the 
crucible  and  the  crucible  is  heated  strongly  by  a  large  Bunsen  or, 
preferably,  a  Meker  burner.  The  fusion  begins  before  the  crucible  is 
red  hot  and  proceeds  quietly  and  quickly.  The  crucible  should  be  sup- 
ported on  a  triangle  and  surrounded  by  a  collar  of  sheet  asbestos. 
The  one  used  in  this  laboratory  was  3  inches  in  diameter,  3  inches 
deep,  and  one-quarter  inch  thick.  The  top  of  the  collar  was  notched 
by  cutting  away  small  rectangles  about  1  inch  long  by  one-half  inch 
deep.  "When  a  cover  of  sheet  asbestos  was  placed  over  the  collar  these 
notches  permitted  the  hot  gases  from  the  burner  to  escape  after  pass- 
ing around  the  crucible.  By  heating  in  this  manner  the  sides  as  well 
as  the  bottom  of  the  crucible  were  heated  to  a  red  heat.  After  three 
minutes'  heating  with  an  8-inch  Meker  burner,  in  a  collar,  as  above 
described,  all  but  a  trace  of  the  chlorate  is  destroyed,  and  the  melt  has 
ceased  to  liberate  bubbles  of  oxygen.     If  the  carbon  content  of  the 

♦Since  sending  this  article  for  publication  this  method  of  fusion  has  been 
found  unreliable  under  certain  conditions.  In  the  Journal  of  the  American 
Chemical  Society  another  method  of  fusion  will  be  described  which  can  be 
relied  upon  under  all  conditions.  With  the  exception  of  the  fusion,  the 
method  is  not  changed. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  279 

added  material  is  low,  or  if  insufficient  heat  is  applied,  the  fusion 
may  require  a  longer  time. 

During  the  destruction  of  the  organic  matter,  the  nitrogen  con- 
tained in  the  protein  material  is  in  part  oxidized  to  a  nitrate.  The 
action  of  heat  on  the  nitrate  formed  results  in  the  production  of  ni- 
trites in  the  fusion  mass.  If  the  fusion  mass  containing  nitrites 
should  be  dissolved  in  water  and  acidified,  the  nitrous  acid  would 
oxidize  the  iodide,  liberating  iodine,  which  would  be  carried  out  of 
solution  by  the  escaping  carbon  dioxide.  It  is  therefore  necessary  to 
destroy  the  nitrites  and  the  trace  of  chlorate  before  solution  of  the 
fusion  mass.  The  most  satisfactory  reagent  for  this  purpose  was 
found  to  be  metallic  zinc,  in  granular  form.  The  zinc  must  be  free 
from  arsenic.  The  size  of  the  granules  is  unimportant,  satisfactory 
results  being  obtained  with  both  zinc  dust  and  20-mesh  granules, 
but  in  order  to  facilitate  subsequent  operations,  20-mesh  zinc  gran- 
ules were  found  most  convenient. 

After  the  first  heating  for  3  minutes,  during  which  time  the  or- 
ganic matter  is  destroyed  and  the  chlorate  decomposed,  2  grams  of 
the  zinc  are  added  to  the  crucible  without  removing  from  the  flame, 
the  cover  is  replaced,  and  the  crucible  heated  in  the  flame  for  an  ad- 
ditional 2  minutes.  The  zinc  reduces  all  traces  of  chlorate  and  ni- 
trites. The  crucible  is  removed  from  the  flame  and  the  melt  is  al- 
lowed to  cool  on  the  sides  of  the  crucible.  When  cold,  the  crucible 
is  nearly  filled  with  water  and  placed  on  a  hot  plate.  After  the  fusion 
mass  has  dissolved  (this  requires  about  10  to  15  minutes),  the  solution 
is  transferred  to  a  beaker,  and  is  then  filtered  to  remove  the  excess 
of  zinc  and  zinc  oxide,  and  any  interfering  element,  as  lead,  mercury, 
silver,  copper,  etc. 

In  order  to  avoid  thorough  washing  of  the  filter  paper,  the  solution 
may  be  placed  in  a  250  c.e.  flask,  diluted  to  the  mark,  well  mixed 
and  then  filtered  into  a  200  c.c.  flask,  washing  out  the  200  c.c.  flask 
with  the  first  15-20  c.c.  of  the  filtrate.  The  most  rapid  filtration  we 
have  found  is  by  using  a  fluted  filter,  Carl  Schleicher  &  Schiill,  No. 
597.  If  no  interfering  element  is  present,  filtering  the  solution  may 
be  omitted,  if  care  is  taken  to  decant  the  solution  from  the  beaker 
into  the  250  c.c.  flask,  leaving  the  granules  of  zinc  in  the  beaker.  The 
beaker  and  zinc  are  washed  repeatedly  with  small  amounts  of  water. 
The  presence  of  zinc  oxide  or  carbonate  is  not  objectionable.  The 
solution  in  the  250  c.c.  flask  is  now  adjusted  to  the  mark  of  gradu- 
ation and  well  mixed  with  a  rotary  motion.     The  zinc  oxide  settles 


280  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

rapidly,  and  after  a  few  minutes'  standing,  a  solution  comparatively 
free  from  the  precipitate  may  be  decanted  from  the  flask.  The  200 
c.c.  flask  is  washed  out  twice  with  a  few  cubic  centimeters  of  this 
solution  and  is  then  filled  to  the  mark  by  decanting  the  solution  from 
the  250  c.c.  flask.  The  iodine  is  now  present  as  an  iodide,  free  from 
interfering  compounds.  A  few  drops  of  methyl  orange  are  added, 
and  the  solution  is  made  very  slightly  acid7  with  50  per  cent  sul- 
furic acid.  The  acidity  should  not  be  less  than  2-3  c.c.  (or  more  than 
5  c.c. )  of  the  50  per  cent  sulfuric  acid.  Sodium  hypochlorite  is  added 
until  the  iodine  is  oxidized  to  iodic  acid.  Phenol  is  added  and  the 
solution  made  slightly  alkaline  to  phenolphthalein.  Five  c.c.  of  50 
per  cent  phosphoric  acid  are  now  added  and  the  iodic  acid  is  deter- 
mined by  addition  of  potassium  iodide  and  titration  with  sodium 
thiosulfate.  If  bromine  is  present  the  method  is  varied  by  acidifying 
with  20  c.c.  of  syrupy  85  per  cent  phosphoric  acid  and  adding  suffi- 
cient hypochlorite  to  liberate  all  the  bromine  and  oxidize  the  iodine. 
Ten  c.c.  of  benzol  are  added,  and  the  solution  is  boiled  (with  powdered 
pumice)  until  all  bromine  is  expelled.  Under  these  conditions  it  is 
not  necessary  to  neutralize,  but  the  potassium  iodide  is  added  to  the 
cold  solution.  A  cover  of  benzol  should  be  used  for  more  than  100 
mg.  of  iodine. 

Sulfuric  acid  is  used  to  acidify  the  solution  so  that  the  neutraliza- 
tion will  not  form  a  salt  with  an  ion  in  common  with  the  acid  used 
to  acidify  in  the  final  titration.  The  presence  of  sodium  phosphate 
greatly  reduces  the  acidity  from  the  phosphoric  acid,  but  sodium  sul- 
fate has  no  such  action.  The  methyl  orange  being  destroyed  by  the 
hypochlorite  does  not  interfere  with  subsequent  operations.  If  the 
color  from  the  methyl  orange  is  destroyed  upon  acidification,  or  if 
there  is  any  trace  of  iodine  liberated,  the  fusion  was  not  carried  out 
properly.  In  this  case,  either  heating  to  a  higher  temperature  or  for 
a  longer  time  will  be  necessary  to  secure  accurate  results. 

"When  the  organic  matter  and  fusion  mixture  are  wet  with  water 
and  evaporated  to  dryness  before  fusion,  the  action  of  water  makes 
too  intimate  contact  between  the  organic  matter  and  the  chlorate,  and 
a  violent  explosion  may  result.  By  evaporating  to  dryness  with  so- 
dium hydroxide  and  adding  the  fusion  mixture  to  this,  there  is  no 
danger  of  explosion.    If  some  particles  of  carbon  remain  unoxidized, 

7The  presence  of  a  few  c.c.  of  chloroform  materially  decreases  the  foaming 
from  the  escaping  carbon  dioxide. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  281 

it  does  not  affect  the  result,  as  all  the  iodine  will  be  retained  as 
iodide. 

THE   DETERMINATION   OF   SMALL   QUANTITIES   OF    IODINE   IN   ORGANIC 

COMBINATION. 

In  1910,  Hunter8  published  a  method  for  the  determination  of  small 
quantities  of  iodine  in  organic  combination,  which  may  be  briefly 
stated  as  follows:  The  compound  is  fused  with  a  mixture  of  sodium 
potassium  carbonate  and  potassium  nitrate.  This  fusion  destroys  the 
organic  matter  and  fixes  the  iodine  as  an  iodide.  The  fusion  mass  is 
dissolved  in  water  and  sodium  hypochlorite  is  added.  Upon  acidifi- 
cation with  phosphoric  acid,  the  sodium  hypochlorite  oxidizes  the 
nitrous  acid  formed  during  the  fusion  to  nitric  acid  and  the  iodide 
is  oxidized  to  iodic  acid.  The  excess  of  free  chlorine  formed  from 
the  sodium  hypochlorite  is  removed  by  boiling.  After  all  free  chlorine 
has  been  removed  and  the  solution  is  cold,  potassium  iodide  is  added. 
The  iodic  acid  in  solution,  which  was  obtained  from  the  iodine  orig- 
inally in  organic  combination,  reacts  with  the  added  potassium  iodide, 
each  weight  of  iodine  present  as  iodic  acid  liberating  six  times  its 
weight  of  iodine.  The  weight  of  iodine  finally  titrated,  therefore,  ifl 
equivalent  to  six  times  the  amount  of  iodine  originally  present. 

During  the  past  18  months  I  have  had  occasion  to  make  determi- 
nations of  iodine  in  thyroid  preparations,  and  the  method  outlined 
above  was  used  for  this  work.  As  the  results  obtained  were  not  en- 
tirely satisfactory,  a  careful  study  of  the  chemical  reactions  involved 
was  undertaken,  with  the  hope  of  finding  a  reliable  method  for  the 
determination  of  iodine.  The  one  serious  and  unavoidable  objection 
to  Hunter's  method  is  the  fact  that  simply  boiling  a  solution  contain- 
ing a  large  amount  of  sodium  hypochlorite,  to  which  phosphoric  acid 
has  been  added,  will  not  always  completely  remove  compounds  which 
liberate  iodine  from  potassium  iodide.9 

Foerster  and  Jorre10  have  pointed  out  that  when  a  solution  of 

8Hunter :    Jour.  Bio.  Chem.,  1910,  vii,  321. 

•In  this  connection,  Hunter  says :  "The  reagent  that  gives  most  frequent 
trouble  is  the  hypochloric  solution.  It  must  be  reasonably  fresh.  If  this  con- 
dition be  fulfilled,  the  commercial  product  often  gives  excellent  results.  Some- 
times, however,  it  is  impossible  to  get  a  commercial  solution  that  does  not 
give  values  too  high." 

10 J.  Pr.  Chem.,  1899  [2],  59,  53. 


282  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

sodium  hypochlorite  is  acidified,  oxy-chlorine  compounds,  among 
which  may  be  chloric  acid,  are  produced.  The  amount  of  chloric  acid 
formed  appears  to  depend  upon  the  rate  of  acidification,  the  tempera- 
ture, and  concentration  of  the  acid  used. 

In  Hunter's  method  it  is  necessary  to  add  the  phosphoric  acid  to 
the  solution  containing  a  comparatively  large  amount  of  sodium  hypo- 
chlorite. This  results  in  the  formation  of  oxychlorine  acids,  which,  for 
a  series  of  determinations,  may  vary  between  wide  limits,  depending 
upon  the  conditions  of  fusion.  When  the  solution  is  boiled  for  15  to  20 
minutes,  these  acids  are  broken  down  and  expelled,  but  rarely  are  they 
entirely  removed  from  solution.  As  the  amount  of  oxidizing  com- 
pounds formed  in  the  solution  is  uncertain,  and  as  a  variable  amount 
may  be  removed  by  boiling,  no  constant  correction  can  be  applied  to 
the  results.  For  large  amounts  of  iodine  this  correction  is  inappreci- 
able, but  when  only  a  few  one-hundredths  of  a  milligram  are  present  it 
is  a  serious  objection.  The  chemical  properties  of  chloric  acid  are  closely 
analogous  to  those  of  iodic  acid,  and  while  some  compounds  will  reduce 
one  more  easily  and  completely  than  the  other,  no  single  compound 
was  found  which  could  be  satisfactorily  used  in  a  quantitative  method 
to  destroy  chloric  and  leave  the  iodic  acid  unchanged.  Another  ob- 
jection, though  less  serious,  is  the  presence  of  a  large  amount  of  nitrate 
in  the  solution  of  the  fusion  mass.  Nitrates  in  acid  solution  liberate 
iodine  from  potassium  iodide.  This  reaction  is  slow  in  a  solution 
slightly  acid  with  phosphoric  acid,  but  the  titration  of  the  iodic  acid 
has  to  be  made  immediately  after  the  addition  of  the  potassium  iodide 
as  iodine  is  slowly  liberated  by  the  nitrates.  Although  many  attempts 
were  made  to  modify  Hunter's  method  by  removing  all  oxidizing 
compounds  except  iodic  acid,  no  satisfactory  modification  was  found. 

Further  investigation,  however,  has  resulted  in  the  following  method 
for  the  determination  of  iodine,  which  has  proved  reliable*  in  this 
laboratory. 

The  method  for  small  amounts  of  iodine  is  carried  out  as  for  larger 
amounts  described  above,  with  the  following  modifications:  If  the 
thyroid  substance  is  in  solution  the  equivalent  of  1  gram  of  organic 
substance  is  placed  in  the  2%-inch  nickel  crucible  and  the  water  is 

♦Since  sending  this  article  for  publication  this  method  of  fusion  has  been 
found  unreliable  under  certain  conditions.  In  the  Journal  of  the  American 
Chemical  Society  another  method  of  fusion  will  be  described  which  can  be 
relied  upon  under  all  conditions.  With  the  exception  of  the  fusion,  the  method 
is  not  changed. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  283 

evaporated  by  placing  the  crucible  in  a  hot-air  oven  at  150-200°.  The 
15  grams  of  fusion  mixture  are  now  added  and  the  fusion  carried  out 
as  described. 

If  the  substance  is  in  powder  form,  1.2  grams  are  intimately  mixed 
with  15  grams  of  the  fusion  mixture,  and  no  water  is  added,  but  the 
fusion  is  carried  out  under  the  same  conditions  of  heating  and  reduc- 
tion with  20-mesh  zinc  granules.  The  zinc  granules  are  separated 
from  the  fusion  mass  by  filtering  or  decanting  as  described  above. 
To  the  solution  of  the  fusion  mass  20  c.c.  of  syrupy  85  per  cent  phos- 
phoric acid  are  added  by  allowing  the  acid  to  run  from  the  pipet  di- 
rectly into  the  flask.  There  should  be  no  liberation  of  iodine  at  this 
point.  A  few  drops  of  bromine  are  added  to  the  flask  and  the  so- 
lution is  shaken  with  a  rotary  motion  until  the  bromine  imparts  a 
distinct  yellow  color.  The  solution  is  now  boiled  for  7-8  minutes. 
This  will  expel  all  but  a  trace  of  bromine.  To  the  boiling  so- 
lution, which  should  be  colorless,  15-20  drops  of  5  per  cent  sodium 
salicylate11  are  added.  The  salicylic  acid  produced  in  solution  will 
remove  all  traces  of  bromine,  but  will  not  affect  the  iodic  acid.  After 
boiling  1  to  2  minutes  after  the  addition  of  the  salicylate,  the  solution 
is  removed  from  the  flame,  cooled,  potassium  iodide  is  added,  and  the 
liberated  iodine  titrated12  with  thiosulfate.13     For  small  amounts  of 


"This  is  best  prepared  by  dissolving  pure  salicylic  acid  in  sodium  hydroxide. 

"Hunter  recommends  a  clear  0.5  per  cent  solution  of  arrowroot  starch  for 
an  indicator  in  finishing  the  titration.  A  0.5  per  cent,  solution  of  Kahlbaum's 
soluble  starch  also  furnishes  a  sensitive  indicator  for  this  work. 

I3The  most  convenient  strength  of  sodium  thiosulfate  for  amounts  of  iodine 
ranging  from  0.5  to  5.0  gm.  is  n/200.  This  is  not  a  stable  solution,  and  must  be 
frequently  restandardized.  A  convenient  method  is  to  prepare  a  solution  of 
potassium  acid  iodate  which  is  equivalent  to  a  known  weight  of  iodine.  The 
strength  of  any  sample  of  thiosulfate  is  readily  found  by  titrating  the  iodine 
liberated  by  the  acid  iodate  solution,  which  retains  its  strength  indefinitely. 
The  iodine  equivalent  of  the  potassium  iodate  is  found  as  follows:  Prepare 
an  N/10  solution  of  potassium  acid  iodate  KIO3.HIO3  by  dissolving  3.249  gm.  of 
the  salt  in  1  liter  of  water.  This  solution,  diluted  20  times,  will  be  approxi- 
mately N/„00.  Dissolve  a  known  weight  of  pure  iodine  (approximately  1  gm.) 
in  1  liter  of  water  containing  1  to  2  gm.  of  sodium  hydroxide.  Dilute  this  ten 
times.  1  c.c.  of  this  solution  will  contain  1  mg.  of  iodine.  Measure  25  c.c.  of  this 
solution  into  a  500  c.c.  flask,  and  dilute  to  200  c.c. ;  add  5  c.c.  of  50  per  cent 
phosphoric  acid  and  a  few  drops  of  bromine ;  boil  out  the  bromine ;  add  15  to 
20  drops  of  5  per  cent  sodium  salicylate,  cool,  add  potassium  iodide,  and  titrate 
the  liberated  iodine  with  approximately  n/,00  thiosulfate.  This  will  establish 
the  relation  between  "original  iodine"  and  the  N/„00  thiosulfate,  and  from  this 


284  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

iodine,  from  0  to  2-3  mg.,  this  method  will  furnish  very  satis- 
factory results.  It  is  imperative  to  have  reagents  of  known  purity. 
Potassium  chlorate,  as  purchased  in  the  open  market,  is  often  con- 
taminated with  a  small  amount  of  iodide.  For  our  work  Merck's 
reagent  potassium  chlorate  gave  no  traces  of  iodine,  but  all  of  the  ordi- 
nary grades  of  this  salt  contained  a  small  amount.  The  zinc  must  be 
free  from  arsenic  and  antimony.  A  blank  should  be  made,  using  some 
organic  substance,  free  from  iodine.  If  there  is  no  iodine  in  any  of 
the  reagents  used,  there  should  result  a  perfect  blank.  As  little  as 
.005  mg.  of  original  iodine  can  be  detected  by  this  method. 

Some  results  showing  that  there  is  no  loss  of  iodine  by  this  method 
of  fusion  are  as  follows:  1.5  mg.  of  iodine,  in  the  form  of  potassium 
iodide,  was  added  to  15  gm.  of  the  fusion  mixture  containing  1  gram 
of  organic  matter  (Witte  peptone).  The  fusions  were  carried  out 
with  a  flame  from  an  8-inch  Meker  burner  maintained  as  hot  as  pos- 
sible, the  crucible  being  surrounded  with  an  asbestos  collar,  as  de- 
scribed above.  The  length  of  time  of  heating,  after  addition  of  the 
zinc,  was  2  minutes. 

After  the  fusion  the  iodine  was  determined  as  above. 


Time  of  c.e.  sodium 

heating                                                                     thiosulfate  used  Iodine  found 

3  minutes 12.71  1.50  mgm. 

6         "       12.75  1.51  mgm. 

9         "       12.70  1.50  mgm. 

12         "       12.75  1.51  mgm. 

15         "       12.72  1.50  mgm. 


Some  other  results  obtained  by  heating  in  the  first  stage  of  the 
fusion  for  3  minutes  and  after  addition  of  the  zinc  for  the  indicated 
times,  are: 


the  iodine  equivalent  of  the  potassium  acid  iodate  can  be  found  by  adding 
a  known  volume  of  the  acid  iodate  to  150  c.c.  of  water  containing  potassium 
iodide  and  5  c.c.  of  50  per  cent  phosphoric  acid.  When  a  small  amount  of 
iodic  acid  is  in  a  solution  wbich  contains  but  a  small  amount  of  salts,  the 
reaction  with  potassium  iodide  is  retarded,  and  the  end  point  of  the  titration 
with  thiosulfate  is  uncertain.  The  addition  of  5  to  10  gm.  of  sodium  chloride 
to  such  a  solution  accelerates  the  liberation  of  iodine  and  makes  the  end  point 
sharp  and  accurate. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  285 

Lgth.  of  heating 

after  addition  c.c.  sodium 

of  zinc  thiosulfate  used  Iodine  found 

2  minutes 12.71  1.50  mgm. 

4         "       12.80  1.51  mgm. 

6        "       12.68  1.50  mgm. 

8        "       12.80  1.51  mgm. 

10         "       12.58  1.49  mgm. 

These  results  show  that  there  is  no  appreciable  loss  of  iodine  even 
when  the  length  of  time  of  the  fusion  is  prolonged  to  15  minutes. 

In  the  determination  of  iodine  by  this  method,  where  more  than 
3-4  mg.  are  present,  the  best  results  are  obtained  by  acidify- 
ing with  20  c.c.  of  85  per  cent  phosphoric  and  then  oxidizing  with 
sodium  hypochlorite.  After  boiling  for  10-12  minutes,  the  sodium 
salicylate  is  added,  as  described  above  for  bromine. 

When  the  hypochlorite  is  added  to  the  acid  solution  the  conditions 
are  as  unfavorable  as  possible  for  the  formation  of  chloric  acid,  and 
with  a  comparatively  large  amount  of  iodine  present,  no  appreciable 
error  results  from  this  source.  However,  the  addition  of  an  excess  of 
hypochlorite  should  be  avoided.  Bromine  and  sodium  hypochlorite 
should  not  be  added  together,  as  traces  of  iodine  are  liberated  by  such 
a  solution  even  after  prolonged  boiling. 

Hunter  showed  that  iodine  in  organic  combination,  as  well  as  in 
inorganic  combination,  is  retained  and  converted  into  an  iodide  with- 
out loss  by  an  alkaline  fusion  mixture.  The  original  form  of  com- 
bination does  not  appear  to  affect  the  accuracy  of  the  determination. 

The  following  results  were  obtained  by  measuring  a  solution  con- 
taining the  indicated  weights  of  iodine  into  nickel  crucibles.  The 
water  was  evaporated  off,  15  gm.  of  the  fusion  mixture  containing  1 
gm.  of  Witte  peptone  were  added,  and  the  determination  made  as  de- 
scribed above.  The  iodine  solutions  were  made  by  dissolving  pure 
iodine  in  sodium  hydroxide,  and  diluting  the  solution  to  convenient 
strength  for  measuring  the  iodine. 

Iodine  taken      c.c.  thiosul-      Iodine  found  Error  Error 


Mg. 

fate  used 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Per  cent 

4.079 

39.85 

4.072 

—.007 

—0.17 

4.079 

39.65 

4.052 

—.027 

—0.66 

3.059 

29.88 

3.054 

—.005 

—0.16 

3.059 

29.85 

3.05 

—.009 

—0.29 

2.039 

35.1 

2.029 

—.01 

—0.49 

2.039 

35.1 

2.029 

—.01 

—0.49 

286 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Iodine  taken 

c.c.  thiosul- 

Iodine  found 

Error 

Error 

Mg. 

fate  used 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Per  cent 

1.02 

17.5 

1.011 

—.009 

—0.89 

1.02 

17.35 

1.003 

—.017 

—1.66 

0.714 

24.40 

0.717 

+  .003 

+  0.42 

0.714 

24.80 

0.729 

+  .015 

+  2.10 

0.510 

17.27 

0.510 

0 

0 

0.510 

17.85 

0.525 

+  .015 

+  2.9 

0.306 

8.45 

0.301 

—.005 

—1.6 

0.306 

8.51 

0.303 

—.003 

—0.98 

0.102 

2.60 

0.093 

—.009 

—0.88 

0.102 

2.60 

0.093 

—.009 

—0.88 

0.051 

4.20 

0.044 

—.007 

—13.00 

0.051 

3.90 

0.041 

—.010 

—20.00 

0.031 

2.90 

0.030 

—.001 

—3.2 

0.031 

2.80 

0.029 

—.002 

—6.6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

These  results  show  that  the  method  is  accurate  to  within  .02  mg. 
up  to  3  or  4  mg.  When  used  for  a  qualitative  test  for  the  presence 
of  iodine,  the  method  is  especially  valuable,  as  the  use  of  bromine  and 
salicylic  acid  assures  a  perfect  blank  in  the  absence  of  iodine. 

Three  samples  of  desiccated  thyroid  gland,  kindly  furnished  by 
Parke,  Davis  &  Company,  when  analyzed  by  this  method,  gave  the 

following  results: 

Iodine  found  per 

c.c.  thiosul-  gram  of  substance 

fate  used  Mg. 

Sample  1 19.25  1.813 

19.28  1.816 

Sample  2 19.77  1.862 

19.77  1.862 

Sample  3 18.00  1.696 

18.25  1.719 

18.35  1.728 

I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  to  Mr.  A.  W.  Thomas  for  assist- 
ance during  the  course  of  this  investigation. 

SUMMARY. 


This  paper  on  the  determination  of  iodine  establishes  the  conditions 
for  the  determination  of  iodine — 

First. — "When  present  as  a  soluble  iodide  or  in  the  uncombined 
form. 


THE  DETERMINATION  OF  IODINE  287 

Second. — When  present  with  bromine,  bromides  and  chlorides. 

Third. — When  present  with  interfering  compounds,  as  copper,  sil- 
ver, mercury,  nitrites,  etc. 

Fourth. — When  in  organic  combination. 

Fifth. — When  present  in  small  amounts,  special  reference  being 
given  to  the  determination  of  the  iodine  content  of  the  thyroid  gland. 


A  NEW  METHOD  FOR  THE  DETERMINATION  OF  THE 
REDUCING  SUGARS.* 

E.  C.  Kendall,  Ph.D. 

In  the  study  of  velocity  of  amylolytie  action  it  became  desirable 
to  determine  with  the  greatest  possible  accuracy  the  reducing  sugars 
resulting  from  the  digestion  of  starch.  This  led  to  the  following  study 
of  some  modifications  of  Fehling's  reagent  with  a  view  to  establishing 
the  optimum  medium  and  conditions  for  a  gravimetric  method  of  de- 
termining reducing  power. 

Benedict1  and  others  have  pointed  out  the  fact  that  glucose  is  more 
readily  destroyed  with  sodium  hydroxide  than  with  sodium  carbonate, 
and  that  larger  amounts  of  copper  are  reduced  by  the  same  weight  of 
sugar  if  sodium  carbonate  is  used  in  place  of  sodium  hydroxide.  A 
comparison  of  the  results  obtained  with  three  of  the  more  common 
methods  and  a  copper  solution  where  the  sodium  hydroxide  is  replaced 
with  sodium  carbonate  follows. 

50  mg.  of  glucose  reduces  according  to : 

Munson  and  Na2CO,  solution 

Defren's  method  Allihn's  method        Walker's  method        replacing  NaOH 

89.8  mg.  Cu.  98.2  mg.  Cu.  102.0  mg.  Cu.  147  mg. 

We  thus  see  that  the  use  of  sodium  hydroxide  gives  only  about 
two-thirds  of  the  amount  of  copper  reduced  which  may  be  obtained 
with  the  carbonate. 

After  a  series  of  experiments  with  the  various  alkalies,  it  was  found 
that  potassium  carbonate  was  the  one  best  suited  to  furnish  the  alka- 
linity. As  the  reducing  power  of  glucose  decreases  with  increase  in 
the  volume  of  the  solution,  it  is  necessary  to  have  the  volume  of  the 
solutions  containing  the  copper  and  alkali  which  are  added  to  the 

♦Reprinted  from  tbe  Journal  of  the  American  Chemical  Society,  Vol. 
XXXIV,  No.  3,  March,  1912. 

'J.  Biol.  Chem.,  3,  101  (1907)  ;  5,  485  (1908). 

288 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  289 

sugar  solution  as  small  as  possible.  Potassium  carbonate  is  better  than 
sodium  carbonate,  being  much  more  soluble  and  having  a  slight  ad- 
vantage in  giving  more  copper  reduced  for  the  same  weight  of  glucose. 
Some  experiments  showing  the  relation  between  these  two  carbonates 
are  as  follows : 

50  mg.  of  glucose  gave  with 

5  g.  sodium  carbonate,  129.8  mg.  copper. 
10  g.  sodium  carbonate,  133.3  mg.  copper. 

15  g.  sodium  carbonate,  133.3  mg.  copper. 

All  conditions  being  the  same  with 

12  g.  potassium  carbonate,  140.4  mg.  copper. 
14  g.  potassium  carbonate,  142.8  mg.  copper. 

16  g.  potassium  carbonate,  140.4  mg.  copper. 

Having  found  that  potassium  carbonate  was  best  suited  to  furnish 
the  alkalinity  to  the  copper  solution,  it  still  remained  to  determine 
whether  a  better  medium  than  Rochelle  salts  could  be  found  to  hold 
the  copper  in  solution. 

Some  results  according  to  Munson  and  Walker's  method  showed 
that  unless  the  spontaneous  reducing  power  of  the  alkaline  tartrate 
solution  is  determined  and  allowed  for,  the  results  obtained  will  be 
considerably  too  high.  Some  results  we  obtained,  using  the  method  of 
Munson  and  Walker,  but  not  allowing  for  the  reducing  power  of  the 
tartrate  solution,  are : 

Sugar  equivalent 

Sugar  taken  Copper  found  given  in  table 

60  126.5  62.4 

60  124.6  61.4 

100  203.0  102.5 

100  202.7  102.3 

In  their  original  article2  Munson  and  Walker  give  a  series  of  figures 
showing  the  reducing  power  of  their  alkaline  tartrate  solution  from 
day  to  day  during  the  course  of  the  investigation.  These  results 
varied  from  0  to  2.0  mg.  of  cuprous  oxide.  Apparently  the  reducing 
power  of  the  alkaline  tartrate  solution  varies  with  different  samples 
of  Rochelle  salts  and  it  is  imperative  to  make  some  correction  for  all 
samples  which  we  have  examined. 

The  amount  of  copper  reduced  by  the  alkaline  tartrate  seems  to  be 

'This  Journal,  28,  663 ;  29,  541. 


290  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

much  greater  when  the  reduction  takes  place  in  a  bath  of  boiling  water 
than  it  does  when  the  solution  is  heated  for  a  short  time  over  the  flame 
as  in  Munson  and  Walker's  method.  By  heating  for  20  minutes  in  a 
bath  of  boiling  water  50  c.c.  of  the  mixed  Defren  solution  in  a  total 
volume  of  150  c.c.  may  reduce  as  much  as  7  mg.  of  copper.  Provided 
the  reduction  was  caused  by  an  impurity  in  the  tartrate  it  would  be 
possible  to  free  the  solutions  from  such  impurities  by  treating  the  al- 
kaline tartrate  with  a  copper  solution,  reduce  by  heating  in  a  bath  of 
boiling  water,  filter,  and  use  the  resulting  solution  which  would  have 
no  reducing  power  of  its  own.  This  was  tried  and  it  was  then  found 
that  when  such  a  solution  was  heated  again  in  the  boiling  water  a 
second  reduction,  as  large  as  the  first,  took  place.  If  the  cuprous 
oxide  was  then  filtered  off  and  the  solution  again  heated,  a  third  re- 
duction took  place.  Since  this  showed  that  the  reduction  is  due  to  the 
tartrate  itself,  and  that  a  previous  reduction  is  not  capable  of  removing 
the  source  of  error,  it  seemed  imperative  to  find  some  medium  other 
than  Rochelle  salts  for  keeping  the  copper  in  solution. 

Many  compounds  have  been  proposed  for  this  purpose,  among 
which  may  be  mentioned  the  bicarbonate  solution  of  Soldaini8  and  the 
citrate  solution  proposed  by  Benedict.4  In  Benedict's  volumetric 
method  for  the  determination  of  sugar  the  disappearance  of  the  blue 
color  is  taken  as  the  end  point  of  the  titration  and  this  method  allows 
of  an  accurate  determination  of  the  sugar.  Experiments  were  there- 
fore made  to  see  if  Benedict's  citrate  solution  could  be  adapted  to  a 
gravimetric  method.  It  was  then  found  that  marked  changes  in  the 
reducing  powers  of  the  sugars  followed  changes  in  concentration  of 
the  sodium  carbonate  and  citrate. 

Thus,  using  50  mg.  of  glucose  and  2  g.  of  copper  sulfate  in  a  vol- 
ume of  150  c.c,  the  following  weights  of  copper,  expressed  in  milli- 
grams, were  obtained  under  the  conditions  as  given  below,  when  heated 
for  20  minutes  in  a  bath  of  boiling  water : 

Sodium  carbonate    Sodium  carbonate    Sodium  carbonate 


Sodium  citrate 

5  grams 

10  grams 

15  grams 

Grams 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

5 

116.5 

134.1 

144.2 

10 

100.0 

117.3 

127.1 

15 

89.3 

107.9 

122.0 

20 

65.3 

101.8 

117.8 

"Gaz.  chim.  Ital.,  6,  322. 

4 J.  Biol.  Ctaem.,  5,  485  (1908). 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  291 

The  change  in  the  reducing  power  of  sugar  is  explained  only  in 
part  by  assuming  that  the  citrate  solution  dissolved  the  reduced  cu- 
prous oxide.  This  was  shown  by  placing  150  mg.  of  Kahlbaum's  cu- 
prous oxide  in  each  of  four  flasks  and  heating  it  under  identical  con- 
ditions of  volume,  time,  and  concentration  of  solution  as  in  the  above 
experiments.  Oxidation  of  the  cuprous  oxide  during  the  heating  was 
prevented  by  displacing  the  air  in  the  flask  with  illuminating  gas  and 
closing  the  flask  with  a  two-hole  stopper. 

Determination  of  the  copper  content  of  150  mg.  of  the  cuprous 
oxide  used  showed  on  duplicate  determination  125.6  and  126.1  mg. 
of  copper,  average  125.9  mg.  All  conditions  being  the  same  as  above, 
the  following  weights  of  cuprous  oxide  were  recovered  after  heating 
for  20  minutes: 

Sodium  carbonate        Sodium  carbonate 

Sodium  citrate  5  grams  15  grams 

Grams                          Mg.  Mg. 

5  125.2  

10  123.3  122.4 

15  120.2  122.4 

20  118.3  122.1 

As  20  g.  of  sodium  citrate  in  the  presence  of  5  g.  of  sodium  car- 
bonate could  dissolve  but  7.6  mg.  of  cuprous  oxide  the  low  results 
obtained  with  the  sugar  must  be  due  to  a  depression  of  the  reducing 
power  of  the  sugar  by  the  citrate.  The  results  of  other  experiments 
in  which  the  weights  of  sugar  varied  showed  that  a  citrate  solution 
does  not  furnish  a  satisfactory  solution  in  a  gravimetric  method. 

As  the  spontaneous  reduction  of  Rochelle  salts  and  the  depression 
and  variations  caused  in  the  reducing  power  of  sugar  by  sodium 
citrate  are  serious  objections  to  these  two  salts,  further  work  was 
done  to  find  some  other  agent  for  holding  the  copper  in  solution. 

Theoretically,  any  organic  compound  having  a  carboxyl  and  alcohol 
group  is  capable  of  holding  the  copper  in  solution  in  an  alkaline  mix- 
ture. Glycerol  and  mannite  have  also  been  suggested  as  possible 
agents,  but  they  do  not  furnish  a  convenient  solution  with  which  to 
work.  Lactic  acid  will  hold  the  copper  in  solution,  but  the  reducing 
power  of  sugar  is  but  slight  in  such  a  solution. 

Among  a  number  of  organic  compounds  which  were  tried,  salicylic 
acid  was  found  to  be  one  which  will  furnish  a  medium  for  the  re- 
duction of  sugar,  but  which  has  no  reducing  power  of  its  own,  and 
will  not  dissolve  the  cuprous  oxide. 


292  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

An  alkaline  salicylate  solution  replacing  the  alkaline  tartrate 
showed  no  reduction  of  copper  when  heated  in  a  bath  of  boiling 
water  for  7  hours,  and  the  following  results  show  that  there  is  no  ap- 
preciable change  in  reducing  power  with  small  changes  in  concen- 
tration of  the  salicylic  acid. 

50  mg.  glucose.    5  grams  sodium  carbonate  in  150  c.c.  volume. 

3  grams  salicylic  acid,  125.7  mg.  copper. 

4  grams  salicylic  acid,  126.0  mg.  copper. 

5  grams  salicylic  acid,  125.7  mg.  copper. 

6  grams  salicylic  acid,  124.8  mg.  copper. 

Further  experiments  showed  that  with  the  other  reducing  sugars, 
maltose,  lactose,  and  invert  sugar,  the  alkaline  salicylate  solution  fur- 
nishes a  satisfactory  medium  for  the  reduction  of  the  copper. 

It  now  remained  to  determine  what  weights  of  copper,  potassium 
carbonate  and  salicylic  acid  give  the  optimum  conditions  for  the  re- 
duction of  the  copper. 

In  Munson  and  Walker's  conditions,  1.858  grams  of  copper  sulfate 
(crystalline)  are  used  per  determination,  the  largest  weight  of  copper 
reduced  being  435.3  mg.  While  larger  amounts  of  copper  give  greater 
reducing  powers  to  the  sugars,  it  was  decided  to  use  two  grams  of 
copper  sulfate  (crystalline)  per  determination  and  limit  the  reduction 
to  450  mg.  of  copper. 

The  weights  of  potassium  carbonate  and  salicylic  acid  which  give 
the  optimum  conditions  for  maltose  were  determined  and  these  weights 
were  used  for  the  determination  of  the  reducing  power  of  the  other 
sugars. 

The  effect  of  varying  amounts  of  potassium  carbonate  and  salicylic 
acid  is  shown  in  the  following  table.  The  volume  was  140  c.c.  and 
2  g.  of  copper  sulfate  were  present: 

Sugar  Salicylic  Potassium  carbonate 


maltose 

acid 

r 

A 

i 

Mg. 

Grams 

12  g. 

14  g. 

15  g. 

100 

4 

151.7 

153.8 

154.9 

100 

5 

151.0 

157.1 

155.0 

100 

6 

149.1 

154.6 

154.8 

100 

7 

135.7 

150.4 

154.9 

These  and  other  determinations  showed  that  15  grams  of  potassium 
carbonate,  5  grams  of  salicylic  acid,  and  2  grams  of  copper  sulfate  in 
a  total  volume  of  140  c.c.  give  satisfactory  conditions  for  the  deter- 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  293 

urination  of  maltose.  The  least  volume  of  water  which  will  conve- 
niently dissolve  the  copper  sulfate  is  15  c.c.  and  the  least  volume  for 
the  15  grams  of  potassium  carbonate  is  25  c.c.  While  it  would  be 
possible  to  make  one  solution  of  the  three  compounds,  it  was  found 
that  both  copper  and  potassium  salicylate  are  so  slightly  soluble  that 
the  volume  of  such  a  solution  would  be  too  great  to  give  satisfactory 
results.  The  potassium  carbonate  and  copper  sulfate  are  therefore 
dissolved  in  water  and  added  separately  to  the  sugar  solution  while 
the  salicylic  acid  is  added  in  the  dry  condition. 

In  regard  to  the  method  of  heating,  the  following  experiments  were 
carried  out  to  determine  whether  or  not  any  cuprous  oxide  was  lost 
during  the  heating  by  surface  oxidation: 

150  mg.  of  Kahlbaum's  cuprous  oxide  were  placed  in  each  of  four 
flasks,  15  grams  of  potassium  carbonate,  2  grams  of  copper  sulfate  and 
5  grams  of  salicylic  acid  were  added  in  a  volume  of  140  c.c. 

The  weight  of  copper  in  150  mg.  of  the  cuprous  oxide  used  was 
found  to  be  125.9  mg.  The  weights  of  copper  recovered  from  the 
four  flasks  after  the  treatment  indicated  below  were  as  follows: 

1.  Solution  boiled  over  free  flame  under  conditions  of  Munson  and 
Walker,  124.5  mg.  copper  recovered. 

2.  Solution  heated  20  minutes  in  bath  of  boiling  water,  126.3  mg. 
copper  recovered. 

3.  Solution  heated  20  minutes  in  bath  of  boiling  water  with  surface 
covered  with  toluene,  125.7  mg.  copper  recovered. 

4.  Solution  heated  20  minutes  in  bath  of  boiling  water,  air  above 
solution  being  displaced  with  illuminating  gas,  126.3  mg.  copper  re- 
covered. 

These  results  showed  that  there  is  no  appreciable  loss  of  cuprous 
oxide  due  to  surface  oxidation  when  the  heating  is  continued  for  20 
minutes  in  the  boiling  water. 

The  two  methods  of  heating  which  have  been  used  for  the  reduction 
of  copper  with  sugar  are  by  heating  over  a  free  flame  or  in  a  bath  of 
boiling  water.  In  choosing  between  these  two  methods,  ease  of  oper- 
ation, time  required,  and  accuracy  of  the  results  obtained  were  the 
factors  considered. 

The  following  results  bear  on  this  point: 

The  conditions  of  the  solutions  in  each  of  the  following  sets  were 
those  found  to  be  the  optimum  conditions  for  determining  the  re- 
ducing power  of  sugars.  Volume  140  c.c,  potassium  carbonate  15 
grams,  salicylic  acid  5  grams,  copper  sulfate  2  grams. 


294 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


HEATING   IN    BATH    OF   BOILING    WATER 


Glucose, 

Invert  sugar, 

Lactose, 

Maltose, 

Time, 

50  mg. 

50  mg. 

100  mg. 

100  mg. 

min. 

Mg.  Cu. 

Mg.  Cu 

Mg.  Cu. 

Mg.  Cu. 

10 

132.7 

142.4 

123.6 

124.8 

15 

145.1 

152.5 

144.5 

144.8 

20 

149.8 

154.7 

154.4 

153.1 

25 

150.1 

157.4 

161.1 

158.5 

30 

155.0 

162.9 

165.4 

163.3 

40 

157.1 

164.9 

171.6 

167.9 

50 

159.9 

166.3 

176.2 

172.2 

HEATING   OVEB  FLAMI 

Total  time            Time  of 

Glucose, 

Lactose, 

of  heating,            boiling, 

50  mg. 

100  mg. 

min. 

min. 

Mg.  Cu. 

Mg.  Cu. 

6 

2 

112.2 

103.0 

8 

4 

134.1 

132.8 

9 

5 

137.1 

139.0 

12 

8 

143.8 

154.1 

14 

10 

143.0 

161.1 

16 

12 

148.3 

163.6 

18 

14 

150.4 

167.3 

20 

16 

153.4 

169.4 

The  figures  in  the  first  line  of  the  last  table  above  give  the  weights 
of  copper  reduced  under  the  conditions  of  Munson  and  Walker.  It 
is  apparent  that  the  reduction  under  these  conditions  is  far  from 
complete  and  that  the  speed  of  reaction  at  this  point  is  too  great  to 
allow  of  an  accurate  determination  of  reducing  power.  The  reason 
for  the  incomplete  reduction  after  two  minutes '  boiling  is  undoubtedly 
due  to  the  slower  reaction  of  the  carbonate-salicylate  solution  than 
of  the  hydroxide-tartrate  solution. 

When  the  determinations  of  reducing  power  are  done  in  sets  of 
four  or  more  time  is  saved  per  determination  by  making  the  time  of 
heating  as  short  as  possible.  However,  it  is  evident  that  at  least 
12  minutes  of  boiling  over  a  flame  are  required.  When  the  time  of 
heating  is  limited  to  12  minutes  it  is  impossible  to  filter  one  set  while 
the  following  set  is  being  heated,  but  if  the  time  of  heating  be  ex- 
tended it  is  possible  to  give  one's  entire  attention  to  filtering  the  re- 
duced copper  and  hence  there  is  no  actual  loss  of  time  per  determi- 
nation. 

To  boil  a  solution  over  a  flame  for  12  to  16  minutes  requires  more 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  295 

or  less  attention  to  maintain  uniform  conditions,  but  it  is  an  easy 
matter  to  duplicate  conditions  of  heating  in  a  bath  of  boiling  water 
and  no  attention  is  required  during  the  heating.  Furthermore,  it 
was  found  that  the  results  obtained  by  heating  in  boiling  water  are 
more  accurate  than  those  obtained  by  boiling  the  solution.  After 
20  minutes'  heating  in  boiling  water  the  reaction  is  nearly  complete 
for  glucose  and  invert  sugar  and  there  is  only  a  slow  rate  of  reduction 
for  lactose  and  maltose.  As  heating  beyond  20  minutes  would  mean 
a  needless  expenditure  of  time,  it  was  decided  to  limit  the  reduction 
for  all  of  the  sugars  to  that  obtained  during  20  minutes'  heating  in 
boiling  water. 

Although  the  salicylic  acid  is  employed  in  the  alkaline  solution  and 
must,  therefore,  exist  as  potassium  salicylate,  it  was  found  impossible 
to  replace  the  acid  with  sodium  salicylate  and  obtain  the  same  re- 
ducing power  for  maltose. 

The  following  results  show  the  difference  between  the  free  acid  and 
the  sodium  salt: 


Grams 

Sodium  salicylate 

Salicylic  acid 

3 

117.4 

141.3 

4 

126.0 

143.1 

5 

131.9 

148.4 

6 

136.2 

148.7 

The  volume  was  125  c.c,  2  g.  copper  sulfate,  11.5  g.  potassium  car- 
bonate, and  100  mg.  of  maltose  being  present.  The  figures  are  milli- 
grams of  copper  reduced. 

When  the  salicylic  acid  and  sodium  salicylate  were  kept  constant 
and  the  potassium  carbonate  varied,  the  following  results  were  ob- 
tained : 

Potassium        Sodium  salicylate         Salicylic  acid 


carbonate 

3  grams 

3  grams 

Grams 

Mg.  Cu. 

Mg.  Cu. 

15 

123.1 

145.6 

18 

125.7 

146.8 

21 

130.4 

148.1 

24 

135.8 

151.9 

The  volume  was  125  c.c,  2  g.  of  copper  sulfate  and  100  mg.  maltose 
were  used. 

Another  series  where  more  salicylic  acid  and  sodium  salicylate 
were  used  gave  the  following  results : 


296 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


Potassium 
carbonate 

Sodium  salicylate 

Grams 

Grams 

Copper 

15 

6 

138.3 

18 

6 

142.1 

21 

6 

144.3 

24 

6 

147.8 

Potassium 
carbonate 

Salicylic  acid 

Grams 

Grams 

Copper 

12 

6 

148.1 

15 

6 

152.6 

18 

6 

157.0 

21 

6 

158.3 

Although  it  would  seem  to  make  no  difference  when  the  sugar  was 
added  to  the  solution  of  potassium-copper  salicylate,  experiment 
showed  that  it  is  necessary  to  add  the  copper  to  the  solution  and  not 
vice  versa.  A  series  where  15  g.  of  potassium  carbonate  and  5  g.  of 
salicylic  acid  were  used,  and  100  mg.  of  maltose  were  added  to  this 
solution  gave  152.6,  146.2,  149.1,  and  156.2  mg.  of  copper  reduced. 
Under  identical  conditions,  but  where  the  copper  solution  was  added 
to  the  sugar,  the  following  weights  of  copper  were  obtained:  154.9, 
155.0,  154.8,  154.9. 

The  effect  of  mixing  the  sugar  and  alkaline  copper  solutions  and 
allowing  to  stand  in  the  cold  is  shown  by  the  following  results:  To 
four  flasks,  each  containing  100  c.c.  of  water,  100  mg.  of  lactose  and 
25  c.c.  of  copper  sulfate  (2  grams)  were  added.  At  intervals  of  5 
minutes,  12  grams  of  potassium  carbonate  and  3  grams  of  salicylic 
acid  were  added  to  the  4  flasks  in  succession.  The  flask  to  which  the 
potassium  carbonate  and  salicylic  acid  was  first  added  would  have 
stood  15  minutes  before  the  mixture  had  been  added  to  the  fourth 
flask.  As  soon  as  the  fourth  flask  was  ready  they  were  all  placed  in 
the  boiling  water,  and  allowed  to  remain  20  minutes;  the  following 
weights  of  copper  were  obtained : 

Solution  stood  in  the  cold  15  min.,  149.8 

Solution  stood  in  the  cold  10  min.,  147.4 

Solution  stood  in  the  cold    5  min.,  146.3 

Solution  stood  in  the  cold    0  min.,  146.5 

These  results  show  that  the  sugar  can  stand  in  the  alkaline  copper 
solution  for  5-6  minutes  in  the  cold  without  any  appreciable  change, 
but  that  a  slight  reduction  will  occur  if  they  are  allowed  to  stand 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  297 

10-15  minutes.  In  practice  2-3  minutes  is  all  that  is  needed  to  dis- 
solve the  salicylic  acid  and  prepare  the  solutions  for  the  boiling  water. 
The  temperature  at  which  the  solutions  are  added  to  the  boiling 
water  is  without  appreciable  influence  between  18°  and  50°.  Four 
solutions,  each  containing  12  g.  potassium  carbonate,  3  g.  salicylic 
acid,  2  g.  copper  sulfate,  and  100  mg.  lactose,  when  placed  in  the  boil- 
ing water  at  the  indicated  temperature  gave  the  following  weights  of 
copper  reduced : 

18°,  150.4  mg.  copper;  30°,  150.7  mg.  copper;  40°,  150.7  mg.  copper;  50°, 
151.5  mg.  copper. 

It  is  essential  to  have  the  boiling  water  heated  with  a  flame  large 
enough  to  cause  the  water  to  begin  boiling  within  1.5-2  minutes  after 
the  addition  of  the  flasks  containing  the  sugar-copper  solutions. 

Two  flasks,  containing  12  g.  of  potassium  carbonate,  3  g.  of  sali- 
cylic acid,  2  g.  of  copper  sulfate,  and  120  mg.  of  lactose  in  125  c.c, 
were  placed  in  the  boiling  water  with  a  flame  under  the  bath,  which 
caused  the  water  to  boil  within  1.5-2  minutes  after  the  flasks  were 
placed  in  the  bath.  The  copper  reduced  at  the  end  of  20  minutes  was 
175.5  and  176.3  mg.  Two  other  flasks  containing  identical  solutions 
were  placed  in  the  boiling  water  with  a  flame  under  the  bath  which 
caused  the  water  to  boil  in  5-6  minutes  after  the  addition  of  the  flasks. 
After  20  minutes  from  the  time  the  flasks  were  placed  in  the  water 
the  copper  reduced  was  167.9  and  171.8  mg.,  showing  lower  and  ir- 
regular results. 

In  order  to  show  the  variations  caused  by  slight  differences  in  the 
weights  of  potassium  carbonate  and  salicylic  acid  added,  the  following 
series  of  determinations  were  made  under  identical  conditions  of  time 
and  volume.    The  volume  was  140  c.c.  and  time  20  minutes : 

Potassium       Salicylic  Invert 


irbonate 

acid 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Grams 

Grams 

50  mg. 

50  mg. 

100  mg. 

100  mg. 

15 

4 

148.9 

155.2 

160.0 

154.9 

15 

5 

149.2 

155.7 

157.2 

155.0 

15 

6 

156.7 

154.9 

154.9 

15 

7 

150.0 

158.0 

151.4 

154.9 

13 

5 

151.4 

152.9 

153.0 

14 

5 

151.4 

158.3 

154.5 

154.6 

15 

5 

149.4 

155.7 

157.2 

155.0 

16 

5 

149.4 

156.1 

156.9 

156.3 

17 

5 

147.3 

155.5 

160.1 

158.4 

298  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

These  results  show  that  glucose,  maltose,  aud  invert  sugar  vary  but 
slightly  for  differences  in  amounts  of  potassium  carbonate  and  sali- 
cylic acid  present  and  that  lactose  is  more  sensitive  in  this  respect. 

In  practical  determinations  of  sugar,  the  variations  in  the  weights 
of  potassium  carbonate  and  salicylic  acid  can  be  controlled  within 
±  0.2  g.  without  taking  any  special  precautions,  and  it  is  apparent  that 
such  a  variation  causes  no  appreciable  change  in  the  reducing  power 
of  any  of  the  sugars. 

DETERMINATION  OP  THE  COPPER  REDUCED. 

The  writer  recently  described  a  method  for  the  determination  of 
copper  by  means  of  the  iodide  method.  The  method  described  was 
devised  primarily  for  the  determination  of  copper  obtained  by  the 
reduction  with  sugar.  It  differs  from  the  original  iodide  method  in 
that  the  solutions  are  prepared  for  titration  in  the  cold,  thus  over- 
coming the  delay  caused  by  boiling  the  solution  or  evaporating  to 
dryness. 

During  the  course  of  this  investigation  several  hundred  determina- 
tions of  copper  have  been  made  by  this  modification  of  the  iodide 
method,  and  these  results  show  that,  if  the  conditions  prescribed  are 
followed,  the  determination  of  copper  can  be  made  by  this  method 
with  great  accuracy.  Irrespective  of  the  way  the  reduced  copper  is 
determined  it  has  to  be  removed  from  its  filter,  and  the  most  conve- 
nient way  to  do  this  is  to  dissolve  it  in  nitric  acid.  The  iodide  method 
allows  of  the  accurate  determination  of  the  copper  thus  dissolved, 
hence  doing  away  with  drying  and  weighing,  which  is  time-consuming 
and  laborious. 

The  cuprous  oxide  reduced  by  the  sugar  is  filtered  on  a  glass  fun- 
nel such  as  is  usually  employed  to  hold  a  Gooch  crucible.  The  filter 
is  made  by  placing  a  perforated  porcelain  disk  in  the  bottom  of  the 
funnel  and  making  an  asbestos  felt  6  to  8  mm.  in  thickness.  A  porce- 
lain disk  should  be  used  to  hold  the  asbestos,  as  glass  wool  retains 
traces  of  alkaline  copper  solution.  After  the  solution  has  been  filtered 
with  suction  and  washed  with  hot  water,  the  funnel  and  rubber  stop- 
per are  removed  from  the  suction  flask,  washed  free  from  any  copper 
solution  which  may  adhere  to  the  outside,  and  placed  on  a  350  c.c. 
suction  flask.  If  the  stopper  does  not  fit,  the  top  of  the  flask  is  ground 
smooth  on  a  carborundum  hone  so  that  when  suction  is  applied  it  will 
hold  the  stopper  down  tightly  over  the  mouth.  Before  the  suction  is 
applied  to  the  flask  the  cuprous  oxide  is  dissolved  in  not  less  than  10 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  299 

c.c.  of  hot  nitric  acid  (1  part  of  acid  to  3  of  water).  It  is  imperative 
to  have  the  nitric  acid  hot  and  it  should  be  contained  in  a  wash  bottle 
which  delivers  a  small  stream.  The  flask  in  which  the  reduction  takes 
place  and  the  sides  of  the  funnel  are  washed  with  the  hot  acid  and 
then  the  asbestos  is  stirred  up  by  the  jet  from  the  wash  bottle.  It  is 
best  not  to  have  a  porcelain  disk  on  the  surface  of  the  asbestos.  The 
hot  nitric  acid  will  dissolve  only  a  trace  of  nitrous  oxide,  but  if  cold 
nitric  acid  is  used  large  amounts  of  nitrous  acid  will  be  dissolved, 
which  will  prevent  the  accurate  determination  of  the  copper.  When 
all  of  the  cuprous  oxide  has  been  dissolved  the  suction  is  applied  and 
the  funnel  is  washed  with  several  additions  of  small  amounts  of  water 
— not  more  than  10-12  c.c.  at  a  time.  The  wash  water  is  sucked 
through  each  time  before  more  is  added.  All  of  the  copper,  when 
washed  in  this  way,  can  be  removed  with  40-50  c.c.  of  wash  water. 
The  copper  in  solution  may  now  be  determined  as  described  in  the 
method.5 

PREPARATION  AND  ANALYSIS  OP  THE  SUGARS  USED. 

The  four  sugars  used  to  determine  the  relation  between  sugar  and 
copper  given  in  the  table  below  were  prepared  and  analyzed  as  fol- 
lows: 

The  glucose  of  highest  purity,  furnished  by  Merck  &  Co.,  when 
analyzed  for  moisture  and  rotating  power,  showed  0.16  per  cent  of 
moisture  and  a  specific  rotating  power  of  52.68°.  As  the  specific  ro- 
tating power  was  in  accordance  with  that  given  by  Tollens  for  pure 
glucose  no  further  purification  was  considered  necessary. 

The  sucrose  was  prepared  from  Kahlbaum's  C.  P.  saccharose  by 
the  method  outlined  by  the  International  Commission  for  the  Unifi- 
cation of  Sugar  Analysis.  The  sample  thus  prepared  contained  0.13 
per  cent  of  moisture  and  showed  a  specific  rotating  power  of  66.5  Y 

The  lactose  was  prepared  from  Kahlbaum's  crystallized  lactose  by 
dissolving  in  boiling  water,  filtering,  and  allowing  the  lactose  to  crys- 
tallize for  7  days  from  this  solution.  These  crystals  were  dried  in  a 
vacuum  over  sulfuric  acid  for  three  days,  ground  into  a  powder,  and 
again  dried  in  vacuum  over  sulfuric  acid.     The  determination  of 

BThis  Journal,  33,  1947. 

6The  sucrose  was  inverted  essentially  by  the  method  used  by  Munson  and 
Walker,  by  heating  for  30  minutes  in  boiling  water  with  n/10  HC1,  using  20  c.c. 
for  every  100  c.c.  final  volume.  The  solution  was  barely  neutralized  with 
N/10  sodium  hydroxide,  cooled,  and  filled  at  20°  to  the  mark  of  graduation. 


300  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

moisture  showed  5.62  per  cent  of  water.  One  molecule  of  water,  cor- 
responding to  the  formula  C^H^OnH-jO,  requires  5.0  per  cent  of 
water,  therefore  the  sample  thus  prepared  contained  0.62  per  cent  ex- 
cess water  calculated  as  lactose  hydrate.  Its  specific  rotating  power 
calculated  as  C12H„20]1H20  was  52.51°. 

The  maltose  was  prepared  by  letting  barley  diastase  act  on  soluble 
starch  as  described  by  Baker  and  Day7  and  Baker.8  The  maltose  thus 
prepared  was  dried  in  an  electric  oven  at  70-80°  for  15-18  hours,  and 
was  then  ground  and  passed  through  a  60-mesh  sieve.  The  moisture 
determination  showed  5.33  per  cent  of  water.  As  maltose  hydrate, 
C^H^On-HaO,  requires  5  per  cent  of  water  there  was  present  0.33 
per  cent  excess  water.    The  specific  rotating  power  was  137.3°. 

The  rotating  power  of  all  preparations  was  determined  with  so- 
dium light,  using  a  4  decimeter  tube  in  a  Schmidt  and  Haensch  polari- 
scope  at  20°.  The  solutions  were  10  per  cent  of  sugar,  except  for 
maltose,  which  was  5  per  cent.  The  solutions,  except  for  sucrose, 
were  allowed  to  stand  24  hours  at  room  temperature  to  destroy  the 
multirotation. 

The  water  content  of  all  preparations  were  determined  as  follows : 
Two  grams  of  the  sample  in  a  small  weighing  bottle  was  placed  in  the 
bottom  of  a  4-inch  desiccator  which  had  a  suction  outlet  in  the  lid. 
Around  the  weighing  bottle  was  placed  a  wire  gauze  collar  about  1.75 
inches  in  diameter.  This  wire  gauze  supported  a  Petri  dish  of  3 
inches  diameter  which  contained  phosphorus  pentoxide.  A  second 
Petri  dish  of  almost  the  same  diameter  as  the  desiccator  was  supported 
above  the  first  Petri  dish  by  three  wire  supports  at  a  distance  of  0.5 
inch  above  the  lower  Petri  dish.  This  top  Petri  dish  acted  as  a  cover 
and  prevented  the  phosphorus  pentoxide  from  dusting  when  the 
suction  was  released.  After  placing  the  cover  on  the  desiccator  it 
was  placed  inside  an  electric  oven  and  connected  with  stout  suction 
hose  to  a  Gaede  pump.  The  temperature  of  the  oven  was  kept  for 
lactose  at  130°,  maltose  110°,  sucrose  and  glucose  100°,  for  4-5  hours. 
The  suction  was  maintained  during  the  entire  time  of  heating.  At 
intervals  of  one  hour  the  weighing  bottle  was  taken  out  of  the  desic- 
cator and  weighed.  When  heating  for  one  hour  produced  a  change 
of  less  than  0.5  mg.  the  heating  was  discontinued.  Duplicate  deter- 
minations were  made  in  all  cases. 


7Analyst,  33,  393  (1908). 
*J.  Chem.  Soc,  1902,  1177. 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS  301 


DETERMINATION   OF   RELATION   BETWEEN    SUGAR   AND    COPPER. 

For  maltose  and  lactose  the  sugar  was  weighed  out  in  such  quan- 
tities as  to  make  5  mg.  per  e.c.  of  solution,  allowance  being  made  for 
the  presence  of  the  water;  the  weights  of  sugar  were  calculated  as 
maltose  and  lactose  hydrate,  C12H22011.H20. 

For  invert  sugar  and  glucose,  solutions  were  made  which  contained 
2.5  mg.  of  sugar  calculated  as  C6H1206. 

The  temperature  of  graduation  of  both  flasks  and  burets  was  20°. 

THE  REDUCING  POWER  OF  THE  SUGARS. 

The  reducing  power  of  the  sugars  was  determined  as  follows :  The 
varying  weights  of  sugar  as  indicated  below  were  measured  into  200 
c.c.  Erlenmeyer  flasks  and  the  volume  in  each  case  made  up  to  100  c.c. 
with  distilled  water.  Five  grams  of  salicylic  acid  were  now  added 
to  each  of  4  flasks  containing  the  sugar  to  be  determined.  Fifteen 
c.c.9  of  copper  sulfate  solution  and  then  25  c.c.  potassium  carbonate10 
solution  were  added  to  each  of  the  flasks  without  any  agitation  of 
the  solution.  It  was  found  necessary  to  observe  this  order  for  the 
addition  of  the  reagents.  The  flasks  were  then  shaken  with  a  rotary 
motion.  The  precipitate  of  copper  carbonate  dissolved,  forming  a 
dark  green  solution.  As  soon  as  the  salicylic  acid  dissolved  the  four 
flasks  were  put  in  a  holder  and  placed  in  a  bath  of  boiling  water.11 

The  copper  sulfate  solution  is  prepared  by  dissolving  133.33  grams  of 
CuS04.5H20  per  liter  of  water ;  15  c.c.  of  such  a  solution  contains  2  grams  of 
copper  sulfate. 

10The  potassium  carbonate  solution  contains  600  g.  of  anhydrous  potassium 
carbonate  per  liter;  25  c.c.  of  this  solution  contains  15  g.  of  potassium  car- 
bonate. As  potassium  carbonate  is  hygroscopic,  it  is  necessary  to  drive  off  all 
water  before  making  up  the  solution.  This  is  done  by  heating  the  carbonate 
for  3  to  4  hours  at  a  temperature  from  190°  to  200°.  A  sample  of  the  salt  thus 
treated,  when  heated  in  a  small  test  tube,  should  not  give  any  evidence  of 
liberation  of  water.  The  carbonate  solution  should  be  made  up  in  a  liter  or 
other  size  graduated  flask,  and  should  be  diluted  almost  to  the  proper  volume, 
well  mixed,  and  then  adjusted  to  the  mark  of  graduation. 

"The  water  bath  used  during  this  investigation  was  one  10  inches  in  diame- 
ter and  &/o  inches  deep.  It  contained  4  liters  of  water.  The  level  of  the  water 
could  be  maintained  constant  by  using  the  ordinary  constant  water-level  bath, 
or  by  means  of  a  syphon  acting  between  the  water  bath  and  a  reservoir  of 
water  of  constant  level.  The  syphon,  for  constant  use,  must  have  a  T  or  Y 
tube  inserted  at  its  highest  point.  A  20  c.c.  pipet  closed  at  one  end  with 
rubber  hose  and  pinchcock  is  connected  with  the  T  tube.    To  start  the  syphon, 


302  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

The  flame  under  the  bath  must  be  of  such  size  that  boiling  begins 
within  1.5  to  2  minutes  after  addition  of  the  flasks.  At  the  end  of  20 
minutes  from  the  time  the  flasks  were  placed  in  the  bath  the  solutions 
were  filtered  and  the  copper  determined  as  described  above. 

both  ends  are  placed  under  water  and  (the  pinchcock  being  open)  the  air  is 
withdrawn  from  the  pipet.  When  the  pipet  is  full  of  water  the  pinchcock 
is  closed.  Any  bubbles  of  air  liberated  from  the  water  in  the  tube  of  the 
syphon  will  rise  to  the  highest  point  of  the  tube,  and  will  there  be  caught  in 
the  pipet,  displacing  the  water.  Should  the  pipet  become  filled  with  air, 
the  syphon  may  be  re-established  by  again  withdrawing  the  air  through  the 
rubber  tube  and  pinchcock.  The  end  of  the  syphon  which  is  in  the  water  bath 
must  have  a  small  opening  (about  Ys  inch).  If  a  large  opening  is  used,  the 
the  water,  when  boiling,  may  syphon  out  of  the  bath.  The  diameter  of  the 
rest  of  the  syphon  may  be  of  any  sized  tubing. 

The  flame  under  the  water  bath  was  supplied  by  one  large-sized  Fletcher 
and  two  Bunsen  burners.  The  water  should  be  boiling  vigorously  when  the 
flasks  are  placed  in  the  water,  and  all  of  the  flames  should  be  burning.  As 
soon  as  the  water  has  begun  to  boil,  after  the  addition  of  the  flasks  (which 
should  be  in  less  than  two  minutes),  the  two  Bunsen  burners  are  turned  out, 
as  the  Fletcher  burner  is  sufficient  to  maintain  the  boiling. 

In  the  practical  application  of  this  method  for  the  determination  of  the 
reducing  sugars,  it  is  most  convenient  to  make  a  set  of  4  determinations  at 
once.  A  rack  is  made  to  hold  the  4  flasks,  as  follows :  a  brass  rod  ^  inch  in 
diameter  and  14  inches  long,  is  erected  at  the  center  point,  and  perpendicular 
to  a  brass  disk  8  inches  in  diameter  and  3/32  inch  thick.  This  disk  forms  the 
bottom  upon  which  the  flasks  are  placed.  Another  disk  of  the  same  size  as 
the  bottom  one,  but  with  a  hole  s/w  inch  in  diameter,  slides  up  and  down  the 
rod.  Four  holes  1%  inches  in  diameter  are  drilled  through  this  second  disk, 
the  centers  of  the  holes  being  arranged  symmetrically  2*4  inches  from  the 
center  of  the  disk.  This  top  disk  being  lifted  up,  the  four  flasks  are  placed 
on  the  bottom  of  the  holder.  When  the  top  disk  is  lowered  the  flasks  will 
pass  through  the  four  holes,  and,  as  the  opening  is  only  sufficiently  large  to 
allow  the  neck  of  the  flask  to  pass  through,  the  flasks  are  held  secure.  A  hook 
at  the  end  of  the  rod  is  used  to  hang  the  entire  holder  from  a  support  above 
the  bath,  at  such  a  height  that  the  rack  sinks  in  the  water  up  to  the  level  of 
the  top  disk.  In  the  bottom  disk  a  number  of  %-inch  holes  are  drilled,  so  that 
the  rack  may  be  placed  in  and  removed  from  the  water  with  ease.  When 
the  flasks  are  removed  from  the  rack  the  solutions  are  filtered  immediately 
on  four  suction  flasks. 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


303 


Weight  of 
sugar 


Glucose 


TABLE   I. 

Weight  of 
Invert  sugar      sugar 


Lactose 


Maltose 


mg. 
10 

1—             ■■   ' 

30.4 

30.2 

30.9 

30.7 

20 

31.9 

32.1 

31.0 

30.3 

20 

60.9 

61.8 

63.2 

62.4 

40 

64.0 

62.5 

61.0 

61.3 

30 

90.2 

90.6 

94.4 

94.7 

60 

95.5 

95.2 

93.4 

92.3 

40 

120.0 

120.1 

126.5 

126.8 

80 

124.5 

125.0 

123.6 

123.6 

50 

148.1 

149.9 

157.5 

156.7 

100 

157.7 

157.7 

154.6 

154.6 

60 

176.8 

179.2 

188.2 

186.4 

120 

287.4 

286.3 

187.9 

187.2 

70 

206.1 

207.4 

5  217.5 
I  217.5 

219.7  | 
215.6  j 

140 

218.5 

217.0 

219.2 

218.5 

80 

233.8 

233.8 

5  245.3 
{  245.6 

245.3  | 
*248.0  j 

160 

246.3 

246.7 

250.6 

250.4 

90 

261.3 

263.3 

276.1 

276.1 

180 

279.0 

278.4 

278.6 

280.1 

100 

288.0 

289.2 

302.6 

302.6 

200 

306.8 

305.9 

j  309.6 

I  310.9 

342.2 

*313.6 
*312.4 

110 

316.2 

314.7 

330.8 

330.7 

220 

338.7 

337.1 

342.2 

120 

343.1 

341.5 

359.4 

358.6 

240 

5  364.6| 

1 364.9  S 

397.3 

*363.4 

373.3 

372.9 

130 

367.7 

367.7 

385.5 

386.4 

260 

397.1 

403.2 

401.6 

140 

391.2 

393.0 

410.9 

410.9 

280 

424.9 

427.0 

431.4  j. 

431.4 
*429.4 

150 

418.5 

418.5 

438.1 

438.1 

300 

455.6 

454.3 

\    459.4 
\  *456.2 

458.1 
*454.3 

160 

443.3 

442.1 

462.1 

460.9 

TABLE 

n. 

Glucose 

Invert  sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

. A 

A 

A 

A 

Calcu- 
F'nd   lated  Error 
Mg.      Mg.      Mg. 

30.3  30.6 

61.4  60.9 
90.4     90.8 

120.1  120.3 
149.0  149.4 
178.0   178.1 


206.8  206.4 

233.8  234.3 

262.3  261.7 

288.6  288.8 

315.5  315.5 

342.3  341.7 


367.7 
392.1 
418.5 
442.7 


367.6 
393.0 
418.1 
442.7 


0.3 
—0.5 

0.4 

0.2 

0.4 

0.1 
—0.4 

0.5 
—0.6 

0.2 

0 
—0.6 
—0.1 

0.9 
—0.4 

0 


Calcu- 
lated 
Mg. 
31.43 
63.55 
95.24 


F'nd 

Mg. 

30.8 

62.8 

94.6 
126.7 
157.1  157.15 
187.3  187.37 


Error  F'nd 

Mg.  Mg. 

0.63  32.0 

0.75  63.3 

0.64  95.4 

126.44  —0.26  124.8 

0.05  157.7 

0.07  186.9 

217.7  217.10  —0.60  217.8 

245.5  246.33   0.83  246.5 


276.1  275.07 
302.6  303.33 
330.8  331.09 


-1.03  278.7 
0.73  306.4 
0.29  337.9 


359.0  358.35  —0.65  364.8 

386.0  385.14  —0.86  397.2 
410.9  411.43  0.53  426.0 

438.1  437.23  —0.87  455.0 
461.5  462.55  1.05  


Calcu- 
lated 
Mg. 
32.07 
63.38 
94.52 
125.48 
156.28 
186.90 
217.34 
247.60 
277.70 
307.63 
337.38 
366.95 
396.35 
425.58 
454.64 


Error 
Mg. 

0.07 

0.08 
—0.88 

0.68 
—1.42 

0 
—0.46 

1.10 
—1.00 

1.23 
—0.52 

2.15 
—0.85 
—0.42 
—0.36 


F'nd 

Mg. 

30.6 

61.2 

92.9 

123.6 

154.6 

187.6 

218.9 

250.5 

279.4 

310.3 

342.2 

373.1 

402.4 

431.4 

458.7 


Calcu- 
lated 
Mg. 
30.2 
61.96 
93.57 
125.02 
156.32 
187.47 
218.47 
249.32 
280.04 
310.59 
341.00 
371.25 
401.35 
431.31 
461.12 


Error 

Mg. 

—0.40 

0.76 

0.67 

1.42 

1.72 

—0.13 

—0.43 

—1.18 

0.64 

0.29 

—1.20 

—1.85 

—1.05 

—0.09 

2.42 


304  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


TABLE   m. 

Dextrose       Invert  sugar       Lactose  Maltose 


50        100  50       100  100       200       100       200 

Method                          mg.       mg.  mg.      mg.  mg.      mg.       mg.      mg. 

Defren 89.8    178.1     125.7    248.4    109.5    216.5 

Munson  and  Walker...     102.2     198.4  98.5     192.3  132.7    261.6     108.7    215.4 

Allihn 98.2     195.0  

Lehmann 101.4    190.0  

Meissl 96.0    189.2  

Soxhlet 138.3    269.6     

Wein H5.1     226.8 

Ost 165.6     294.3  170.0     298.0  167.5     331.8 

Kjeldahl 107.2     197.7  101.7     190.2  

Brown,  Morris  &  Millar     103.0    202.7  97.5     194.1  

This  method 149.3    288.7  157.0    303.3  156.3    307.6     156.3     310.6 

Using  this  method  of  procedure,  the  results  in  Table  I  were  obtained 
for  the  indicated  weights  of  sugar.  All  of  the  results  which  were 
obtained  are  given,  but  the  ones  which  were  not  used  in  the  calculation 
of  the  curve  are  starred: 

From  these  results  the  following  equations  showing  the  relation 
between  sugar  and  copper  were  deduced  by  means  of  the  method  of 
least  squares.12 

In  the  equations  X  refers  to  weights  of  copper  reduced,  Y  to 
weights  of  sugar  reacting: 

Glucose X  =  —  0.17  +  3.0923  Y  —  0.002026  Y» 

Invert  sugar X  =  —  1.30  +  3.2918  Y  —  0.002455  Y» 

Lactose X=        0.59  +  1.5786  Y  —  0.000217  Y1 

Maltose X  =  —  1.69  +  1.5988  Y  —  0.000187  Y1 

The  weights  of  sugar  given  in  Table  I  were  substituted  in  the 
proper  equation  and  the  corresponding  values  of  X  were  found.  The 
differences  between  the  values  thus  calculated  and  actually  found  is 
given  in  Table  II. 

By  means  of  the  equation  the  copper  equivalent  to  weights  of  mal- 
tose and  lactose  from  20  to  300  mg.  were  calculated  for  every  4  mg.  of 
sugar.  With  glucose  and  invert  sugar  the  copper  equivalent  for  every 
2  mg.  of  sugar  from  10  to  160  was  found.  This  gave  a  series  of  points 
which  differed  by  about  6  mg.  of  copper.    These  figures  were  changed 

UA  good  example  of  the  use  of  this  method  is  given  in  Allihn's  original 
article,  J.  prakt.  Chem.,  22,  46  (1880). 


DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


305 


to  integral  weights  of  copper  and  hence  decimal  weights  of  sugar. 
The  figures  lying  between  each  6  mg.  of  copper  were  interpolated,  the 
interpolations  being  carried  to  the  second  decimal  place.  The  com- 
plete table  giving  the  relation  between  the  4  reducing  sugars  and 
copper  for  every  mg.  of  copper  from  30  to  450  mg.  is  given  in 
Table  IV. 

A  comparison  of  the  reducing  power  of  the  sugars  obtained  by 
this  method  with  that  obtained  with  other  methods  in  use  is  given  in 
Table  III. 

I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  to  Mr.  A.  W.  Thomas  for  assist- 
ance during  the  course  of  this  investigation. 


TABLE  IV 


Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

CgH^Og 

CeH^Oa 

Ci2H22On.  H20 

C^A^O 

30 

33.8 

37.6 

9.8 

9.6 

19.3 

19.9 

31 

34.9 

38.8 

10.2 

9.9 

20.0 

20.5 

32 

36.0 

40.1 

10.5 

10.2 

20.6 

21.1 

33 

37.2 

41.3 

10.8 

10.5 

21.2 

21.7 

34 

38.3 

42.6 

11.1 

10.8 

21.8 

22.4 

35 

39.4 

43.8 

11.5 

11.1 

22.5 

23.0 

36 

40.5 

«       45.1 

11.8 

11.4 

23.1 

23.6 

37 

41.7 

46.3 

12.1 

11.8 

23.7 

24.3 

38 

42.8 

47.6 

12.4 

12.1 

24.4 

24.9 

39 

43.9 

48.8 

12.8 

12.4 

25.0 

25.5 

40 

45.0 

50.1 

13.1 

12.7 

25.6 

26.1 

41 

46.2 

51.3 

13.4 

13.0 

26.3 

26.8 

42 

47.3 

52.6 

13.8 

13.3 

26.9 

27.4 

43 

48.4 

53.8 

14.1 

13.6 

27.5 

28.0 

44 

49.5 

55.1 

14.4 

13.9 

28.1 

28.7 

45 

50.7 

56.3 

14.8 

14.2 

28.8 

29.3 

46 

51.8 

'      57.6 

15.1 

14.5 

29.4 

29.9 

47 

52.9 

58.8 

15.4 

14.8 

30.0 

30.6 

48 

54.0 

60.1 

15.7 

15.2 

30.6 

31.2 

49 

55.2 

61.3 

16.1 

15.5 

31.3 

31.8 

50 

56.3 

62.6 

16.4 

15.8 

31.9 

32.4 

51 

57.4 

63.8 

16.7 

16.1 

32.5 

33.1 

52 

58.5 

65.1 

17.1 

16.4 

33.2 

33.7 

53 

59.7 

66.3 

17.4 

16.7 

33.8 

34.3 

54 

60.8 

67.6 

17.7 

17.0 

34.4 

35.0 

55 

61.9 

68.8 

18.1 

17.3 

35.0 

35.6 

56 

63.0 

70.1 

18.4 

17.6 

35.7 

36.2 

57 

64.2 

71.3 

18.7 

17.9 

36.3 

36.9 

306 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


table  iv  (continued) 


Cuprous 

Cuprie 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

CeHj^O,, 

CoH^Os 

CjjE^Oh.HsO 

C^Hj^Oh.HjO 

58 

65.3 

72.6 

19.1 

18.3 

36.9 

37.5 

59 

66.4 

73.9 

19.4 

18.6 

37.6 

38.1 

60 

67.6 

75.1 

19.7 

18.9 

38.2 

38.8 

61 

68.7 

76.4 

20.0 

19.2 

38.8 

39.4 

62 

69.8 

77.6 

20.4 

19.5 

39.4 

40.0 

63 

70.9 

78.9 

20.7 

19.8 

40.1 

40.7 

64 

72.1 

80.1 

21.0 

20.1 

40.7 

41.3 

65 

73.2 

81.4 

21.4 

20.5 

41.3 

41.9 

66 

74.3 

82.6 

21.7 

20.8 

41.9 

42.5 

67 

75.4 

83.9 

22.0 

21.1 

42.6 

43.2 

68 

76.6 

85.1 

22.4 

21.4 

43.2 

43.8 

69 

77.7 

86.4 

22.7 

21.7 

43.8 

44.4 

70 

78.8 

87.6 

23.0 

22.0 

44.4 

45.1 

71 

79.9 

88.9 

23.4 

22.3 

45.1 

45.7 

72 

81.1 

90.1 

23.7 

22.7 

45.7 

46.3 

73 

82.2 

91.4 

24.0 

23.0 

46.3 

47.0 

74 

83.3 

92.6 

24.4 

23.3 

46.9 

47.6 

75 

84.4 

93.9 

24.7 

23.6 

47.5 

48.2 

76 

85.6 

95.1 

25.0 

23.9 

48.1 

48.9 

77 

86.7 

96.4 

25.4 

24.2 

48.8 

49.5 

78 

87.8 

97.6 

25.7 

24.5 

49.4 

50.1 

79 

88.9 

98.9 

26.0 

24.9 

50.0 

50.8 

80 

90.1 

100.1 

26.4 

25.2 

50.7 

51.4 

81 

91.2 

101.4 

26.7 

25.5 

51.3 

52.0 

82 

92.3 

102.6 

27.1 

25.8 

51.9 

52.7 

83 

93.4 

103.9 

27.4 

26.1 

52.6 

53.3 

84 

94.6 

105.1 

27.7 

26.4 

53.2 

53.9 

85 

95.7 

106.4 

28.1 

26.8 

53.9 

54.6 

86 

96.8 

107.6 

28.4 

27.1 

54.5 

55.2 

87 

97.9 

108.9 

28.7 

27.4 

55.1 

55.8 

88 

99.1 

110.1 

29.1 

27.7 

55.8 

56.5 

89 

100.2 

111.4 

29.4 

28.0 

56.4 

57.1 

90 

101.3 

112.7 

29.7 

28.3 

57.1 

57.7 

91 

102.4 

113.9 

30.1 

28.7 

57.7 

58.3 

92 

103.6 

115.2 

30.4 

29.0 

58.4 

58.9 

93 

104.7 

116.4 

30.8 

29.3 

59.0 

59.6 

94 

105.8 

117.7 

31.1 

29.6 

59.7 

60.2 

95 

106.9 

118.9 

31.4 

29.9 

60.3 

60.9 

96 

108.1 

120.2 

31.8 

30.2 

60.9 

61.5 

97 

109.2 

121.4 

32.1 

30.6 

61.6 

62.2 

98 

110.3 

122.7 

32.4 

30.9 

62.2 

62.8 

99 

111.5 

123.9 

32.8 

31.2 

62.8 

63.4 

DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


307 


table  iv  (continued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C6H120« 

C6H1206 

Ci:H22Ou.  H20 

C12H22Ou.H20 

100 

112.6 

125.2 

33.1 

31.5 

63.5 

64.1 

101 

113.7 

126.4 

33.5 

31.8 

64.2 

64.7 

102 

114.8 

127.7 

33.8 

32.2 

64.8 

65.3 

103 

116.0 

128.9 

34.1 

32.5 

65.4 

66.0 

104 

117.1 

130.2 

34.5 

32.8 

66.1 

66.6 

105 

118.2 

131.5 

34.8 

33.1 

66.8 

67.2 

106 

119.3 

132.7 

35.2 

33.4 

67.4 

67.8 

107 

120.5 

134.0 

35.5 

33.8 

68.0 

68.5 

108 

121.6 

135.2 

35.9 

34.1 

68.7 

69.1 

109 

122.7 

136.5 

36.2 

34.4 

69.3 

69.8 

110 

123.8 

137.7 

36.6 

34.7 

70.0 

70.4 

111 

125.0 

139.0 

36.9 

35.0 

70.6 

71.1 

112 

126.1 

140.2 

37.2 

35.4 

71.3 

71.7 

113 

127.2 

141.5 

37.5 

35.7 

71.9 

72.3 

114 

128.3 

142.7 

37.9 

36.0 

72.6 

73.0 

115 

129.4 

144.0 

38.2 

36.3 

73.2 

73.6 

116 

130.6 

145.2 

38.5 

36.7 

73.8 

74.2 

117 

131.7 

146.5 

38.9 

37.0 

74.5 

74.9 

118 

132.8 

147.7 

39.2 

37.3 

75.1 

75.5 

119 

134.0 

149.0 

39.6 

37.6 

75.8 

76.2 

120 

135.1 

150.2 

39.9 

37.9 

76.4 

76.8 

121 

136.2 

151.5 

40.3 

38.3 

77.1 

77.4 

122 

137.4 

152.7 

40.6 

38.6 

77.7 

78.1 

123 

138.5 

154.0 

40.9 

38.9 

78.4 

78.7 

124 

139.6 

155.2 

41.3 

39.2 

79.0 

79.4 

125 

140.7 

156.5 

41.6 

39.5 

79.7 

80.0 

126 

141.9 

157.7 

42.0 

39.9 

80.3 

80.6 

127 

143.0 

159.0 

42.3 

40.2 

81.0 

81.3 

128 

144.1 

160.2 

42.6 

40.5 

81.6 

81.9 

129 

145.2 

161.5 

43.0 

40.8 

82.3 

82.5 

130 

146.4 

162.7 

43.3 

41.2 

82.9 

83.2 

131 

147.5 

164.0 

43.7 

41.5 

83.6 

83.8 

132 

148.6 

165.2 

44.0 

41.8 

84.2 

84.5 

133 

149.7 

166.5 

44.4 

42.1 

84.9 

85.2 

134 

150.9 

167.7 

44.7 

42.5 

85.5 

85.8 

135 

152.0 

169.0 

45.1 

42.8 

86.2 

86.5 

136 

153.1 

170.2 

45.4 

43.1 

86.8 

87.1 

137 

154.2 

171.5 

45.7 

43.4 

87.4 

87.7 

138 

155.4 

172.7 

46.1 

43.8 

88.1 

88.3 

139 

156.5 

174.0 

46.4 

44.1 

88.7 

88.9 

140 

157.6 

175.2 

46.8 

44.4 

89.4 

89.6 

141 

158.7 

176.5 

47.1 

44.7 

90.0 

90.2 

308  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

table  iv  (continued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C6H12O0 

C„H1206 

C^H^On.HoO 

C12H,2On.H2< 

142 

159.9 

177.7 

47.5 

45.1 

90.7 

90.8 

143 

161.0 

179.0 

47.8 

45.4 

91.3 

91.5 

144 

162.1 

180.2 

48.1 

45.7 

92.0 

92.1 

145 

163.2 

181.5 

48.5 

46.0 

92.6 

92.8 

146 

164.4 

182.7 

48.8 

46.4 

93.3 

93.4 

147 

165.5 

184.0 

49.2 

46.7 

93.9 

94.0 

148 

166.6 

185.2 

49.5 

47.0 

94.6 

94.7 

149 

167.7 

186.5 

49.9 

47.4 

95.3 

95.3 

150 

168.9 

187.8 

50.2 

47.7 

95.9 

96.0 

151 

170.0 

189.0 

50.6 

48.0 

96.6 

96.6 

152 

171.1 

190.3 

50.9 

48.3 

97.2 

97.2 

153 

172.3 

191.5 

51.3 

48.7 

97.9 

97.9 

154 

173.4 

192.8 

51.6 

49.0 

98.5 

98.5 

155 

174.5 

194.0 

52.0 

49.3 

99.2 

99.2 

156 

175.6 

195.3 

52.3 

49.6 

99.8 

99.8 

157 

176.8 

196.5 

52.7 

50.0 

100.5 

100.4 

158 

177.9 

197.8 

53.0 

50.3 

101.1 

101.1 

159 

179.0 

199.0 

53.4 

50.6 

101.8 

101.7 

160 

180.1 

200.3 

53.7 

50.9 

102.4 

102.4 

161 

181.3 

201.5 

54.0 

51.3 

103.1 

103.0 

162 

182.4 

202.8 

54.4 

51.6 

103.7 

103.6 

163 

183.5 

204.0 

54.7 

51.9 

104.4 

104.3 

164 

184.6 

205.3 

55.1 

52.3 

105.0 

104.9 

165 

185.8 

206.5 

55.4 

52.6 

105.7 

105.6 

166 

186.9 

207.8 

55.8 

52.9 

106.3 

106.2 

167 

188.0 

209.0 

56.1 

53.3 

107.0 

106.8 

168 

189.1 

210.3 

56.5 

53.6 

107.6 

107.5 

169 

190.3 

211.5 

56.8 

53.9 

108.3 

108.1 

170 

191.4 

212.8 

57.2 

54.2 

108.9 

108.8 

171 

192.5 

214.0 

57.5 

54.6 

109.6 

109.4 

172 

193.6 

215.3 

57.9 

54.9 

110.2 

110.1 

173 

194.8 

216.5 

58.2 

55.2 

110.9 

110.7 

174 

195.9 

217.8 

58.6 

55.6 

111.6 

111.3 

175 

197.0 

219.0 

58.9 

55.9 

112.2 

112.0 

176 

198.1 

220.3 

59.3 

56.2 

112.9 

112.6 

177 

199.3 

221.5 

59.6 

56.6 

113.5 

113.3 

178 

200.4 

222.8 

60.0 

56.9 

114.2 

113.9 

179 

201.5 

224.0 

60.3 

57.2 

114.9 

114.5 

180 

202.6 

225.3 

60.7 

57.6 

115.5 

115.2 

181 

203.8 

226.5 

61.0 

57.9 

116.1 

115.8 

182 

204.9 

227.8 

61.4 

58.2 

116.8 

116.5 

183 

206.0 

229.0 

61.7 

58.6 

117.4 

117.1 

DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


309 


table  iv  (continued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C8H1206 

C8H1203 

Ci^E^On-I^O 

C12H22Ou.  H20 

184 

207.1 

230.3 

62.1 

58.9 

118.1 

117.8 

185 

208.3 

231.5 

62.4 

59.2 

118.8 

118.4 

186 

209.4 

232.7 

62.8 

59.6 

119.4 

119.0 

187 

210.5 

234.0 

63.1 

59.9 

120.1 

119.7 

188 

211.7 

235.3 

63.5 

60.2 

120.7 

120.3 

189 

212.8 

236.5 

63.9 

60.6 

121.4 

121.0 

190 

213.9 

237.8 

64.2 

60.9 

122.0 

121.6 

191 

215.0 

239.0 

64.6 

61.2 

122.7 

122.3 

192 

216.2 

240.3 

64.9 

61.6 

123.3 

122.9 

193 

217.3 

241.5 

65.3 

61.9 

124.0 

123.6 

194 

218.4 

242.8 

65.6 

62.2 

124.7 

124.2 

195 

219.5 

244.0 

66.0 

62.6 

125.3 

124.8 

196 

220.7 

245.3 

66.3 

62.9 

126.0 

125.5 

197 

221.8 

246.5 

66.7 

63.2 

126.6 

126.1 

198 

222.9 

247.8 

67.0 

63.6 

127.3 

126.8 

199 

224.0 

249.0 

67.4 

63.9 

127.9 

127.4 

200 

225.2 

250.3 

67.8 

64.2 

128.6 

128.1 

201 

226.3 

251.5 

68.1 

64.6 

129.2 

128.7 

202 

227.4 

252.8 

68.5 

64.9 

129.9 

129.4 

203 

228.5 

254.0 

68.8 

65.2 

130.6 

130.0 

204 

229.7 

255.3 

69.2 

65.6 

131.2 

130.6 

205 

230.8 

256.5 

69.5 

65.9 

131.9 

131.3 

206 

231.9 

257.8 

69.9 

66.2 

132.5 

131.9 

207 

233.0 

259.0 

70.2 

66.6 

133.2 

132.6 

208 

234.2 

260.3 

70.6 

66.9 

133.8 

133.2 

209 

235.3 

261.5 

71.0 

67.3 

134.5 

133.9 

210 

236.4 

262.8 

71.3 

67.6 

135.2 

134.5 

211 

237.6 

264.0 

71.7 

67.9 

135.8 

135.2 

212 

238.7 

265.3 

72.0 

68.3 

136.5 

135.8 

213 

239.8 

266.5 

72.4 

68.6 

137.1 

136.5 

214 

240.9 

267.8 

72.7 

69.0 

137.8 

137.1 

215 

242.1 

269.0 

73.1 

69.3 

138.5 

137.8 

216 

243.2 

270.3 

73.4 

69.6 

139.1 

138.4 

217 

244.3 

271.5 

73.8 

70.0 

139.8 

139.1 

218 

245.4 

272.8 

74.2 

70.3 

140.4 

139.7 

219 

246.6 

274.1 

74.5 

70.7 

141.1 

140.3 

220 

247.7 

275.4 

74.9 

71.0 

141.8 

141.0 

221 

248.7 

276.6 

75.2 

71.4 

142.4 

141.6 

222 

249.9 

277.9 

75.6 

71.7 

143.1 

142.3 

223 

251.0 

279.1 

76.0 

72.0 

143.7 

142.9 

224 

252.1 

280.4 

76.3 

72.4 

144.4 

143.6 

225 

253.3 

281.6 

76.7 

72.7 

145.1 

144.2 

310 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


table  iv  (contmued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C6H1206 

C0H12O6 

CuHjjOu.HjO 

C^H^Ou.HgO 

226 

254.4 

282.9 

77.0 

73.1 

145.7 

144.9 

227 

255.6 

284.1 

77.4 

73.4 

146.4 

145.5 

228 

256.7 

285.4 

77.8 

73.7 

147.0 

146.2 

229 

257.8 

286.6 

78.1 

74.1 

147.7 

146.8 

230 

258.9 

287.9 

78.5 

74.4 

148.4 

147.5 

231 

260.1 

289.1 

78.8 

74.8 

149.0 

148.1 

232 

261.2 

290.4 

79.2 

75.1 

149.7 

148.8 

233 

262.3 

291.6 

79.6 

75.4 

150.3 

149.4 

234 

263.4 

292.9 

79.9 

75.8 

151.0 

150.1 

235 

264.6 

294.1 

80.3 

76.1 

151.7 

150.7 

236 

265.7 

295.4 

80.6 

76.5 

152.3 

151.4 

237 

266.8 

296.6 

81.0 

76.8 

153.0 

152.0 

238 

268.0 

297.9 

81.4 

77.2 

153.6 

152.6 

239 

269.1 

299.1 

81.7 

77.5 

154.3 

153.3 

240 

270.2 

300.4 

82.1 

77.8 

155.0 

153.9 

241 

271.3 

301.6 

82.5 

78.2 

155.6 

154.6 

242 

272.5 

302.9 

82.8 

78.5 

156.3 

155.2 

243 

273.6 

304.1 

83.2 

78.9 

157.0 

155.9 

244 

274.7 

305.4 

83.5 

79.2 

157.6 

156.5 

245 

275.8 

306.6 

83.9 

79.6 

158.3 

157.2 

246 

277.0 

307.9 

84.3 

79.9 

159.0 

157.8 

247 

278.1 

309.1 

84.6 

80.2 

159.6 

158.5 

248 

279.2 

310.4 

85.0 

80.6 

160.3 

159.1 

249 

280.3 

311.6 

85.4 

80.9 

160.9 

159.8 

250 

281.5 

312.9 

85.7 

81.3 

161.6 

160.4 

251 

282.6 

314.1 

86.1 

81.6 

162.2 

161.1 

252 

283.7 

315.4 

86.5 

82.0 

162.9 

161.7 

253 

284.8 

316.6 

86.8 

82.3 

163.6 

162.4 

254 

286.0 

317.9 

87.2 

82.7 

164.2 

163.0 

255 

287.1 

319.1 

87.6 

83.0 

164.9 

163.7 

256 

288.2 

320.4 

87.9 

83.4 

165.6 

164.3 

257 

289.3 

321.6 

88.3 

83.7 

166.2 

165.0 

258 

290.5 

322.9 

88.7 

84.1 

166.9 

165.6 

259 

291.6 

324.1 

89.0 

84.4 

167.6 

166.3 

260 

292.7 

325.4 

89.4 

84.8 

168.2 

166.9 

261 

293.8 

326.6 

89.8 

85.1 

168.9 

167.6 

262 

295.0 

327.9 

90.1 

85.5 

169.5 

168.3 

263 

296.1 

329.1 

90.5 

85.8 

170.2 

168.9 

264 

297.2 

330.4 

90.8 

86.1 

170.9 

169.6 

265 

298.3 

331.6 

91.2 

86.5 

171.6 

170.2 

266 

299.5 

332.9 

91.6 

86.8 

172.2 

170.9 

267 

300.6 

334.1 

91.9 

87.2 

172.9 

171.5 

DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


311 


table  iv  (continued) 


Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C6H12Ob 

CaHjjOg 

C12H22OU.H2O 

Ci2H22Ou.H20 

268 

301.7 

335.4 

92.3 

87.5 

173.5 

172.2 

269 

302.8 

336.7 

92.7 

87.9 

174.2 

172.8 

270 

304.0 

338.0 

93.1 

88.2 

174.9 

173.5 

271 

305.1 

339.2 

93.4 

88.6 

175.5 

174.1 

272 

306.2 

340.5 

93.8 

88.9 

176.2 

174.8 

273 

307.3 

341.7 

94.2 

89.3 

176.9 

175.4 

274 

308.5 

343.0 

94.5 

89.6 

177.5 

176.1 

275 

309.6 

344.2 

94.9 

90.0 

178.2 

176.7 

276 

310.7 

345.5 

95.3 

90.3 

178.9 

177.4 

277 

311.9 

346.7 

95.6 

90.7 

179.5 

178.0 

278 

313.0 

348.0 

96.0 

91.1 

180.2 

178.7 

279 

314.1 

349.2 

96.4 

91.4 

180.9 

179.3 

280 

315.2 

350.5 

96.7 

91.8 

181.5 

180.0 

281 

316.4 

351.7 

97.1 

92.1 

182.2 

180.6 

282 

317.5 

353.0 

97.5 

92.5 

182.9 

181.3 

283 

318.6 

354.2 

97.9 

92.8 

183.5 

181.9 

284 

319.7 

355.5 

98.2 

93.1 

184.2 

182.6 

285 

320.9 

356.7 

98.6 

93.5 

184.9 

183.2 

286 

322.0 

358.0 

99.0 

93.9 

185.5 

183.9 

287 

323.1 

359.2 

99.4 

94.2 

186.2 

184.6 

288 

324.2 

360.5 

99.7 

94.6 

186.9 

185.2 

289 

325.3 

361.7 

100.1 

94.9 

187.6 

185.9 

290 

326.4 

363.0 

100.5 

95.3 

188.2 

186.5 

291 

327.5 

364.2 

100.8 

95.6 

188.8 

187.2 

292 

328.7 

365.5 

101.2 

96.0 

189.5 

187.8 

293 

329.9 

366.7 

101.6 

96.3 

190.1 

188.5 

294 

331.0 

368.0 

101.9 

96.7 

190.8 

189.1 

295 

332.1 

369.2 

102.3 

97.1 

191.4 

189.8 

296 

333.3 

370.5 

102.7 

97.4 

192.1 

190.4 

297 

334.4 

371.7 

103.1 

97.8 

192.8 

191.1 

298 

335.5 

373.0 

103.4 

98.1 

193.5 

191.8 

299 

336.6 

374.2 

103.8 

98.5 

194.2 

192.4 

300 

337.8 

375.5 

104.2 

98.9 

194.9 

193.1 

301 

338.9 

376.7 

104.6 

99.2 

195.6 

193.7 

302 

340.0 

378.0 

105.0 

99.6 

196.2 

194.4 

303 

341.1 

379.2 

105.3 

99.9 

196.9 

195.0 

304 

342.3 

380.5 

105.7 

100.3 

197.6 

195.7 

305 

343.4 

381.7 

106.1 

100.6 

198.3 

196.3 

306 

344.5 

383.0 

106.4 

101.0 

198.9 

197.0 

307 

345.6 

384.2 

106.8 

101.3 

199.6 

197.6 

308 

346.8 

385.5 

107.2 

101.7 

200.3 

198.3 

309 

347.9 

386.7 

107.6 

102.1 

200.9 

199.0 

312 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


table  rv  (continued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

CeH^Oe 

C6Hi;Oe 

GuHjjjOh.HjO 

C12H,2011.Hi!< 

310 

349.0 

388.0 

107.9 

102.4 

201.6 

199.6 

311 

350.1 

389.2 

108.3 

102.8 

202.3 

200.3 

312 

351.3 

390.5 

108.7 

103.1 

202.9 

200.9 

313 

352.4 

391.7 

109.1 

103.5 

203.6 

201.6 

314 

353.5 

393.0 

109.5 

103.8 

204.3 

202.2 

315 

354.6 

394.2 

109.8 

104.2 

204.9 

202.9 

316 

355.8 

395.5 

110.2 

104.6 

205.5 

203.6 

317 

356.9 

396.7 

110.6 

104.9 

206.2 

204.2 

318 

358.0 

398.0 

111.0 

105.3 

206.8 

204.9 

319 

359.1 

399.2 

111.4 

105.6 

207.5 

205.5 

320 

360.3 

400.5 

111.7 

106.0 

208.2 

206.2 

321 

361.4 

401.7 

112.1 

106.4 

208.9 

206.8 

322 

362.5 

403.0 

112.5 

106.7 

209.6 

207.5 

323 

363.7 

404.2 

112.9 

107.1 

210.3 

208.2 

324 

364.8 

405.5 

113.2 

107.5 

211.0 

208.8 

325 

365.9 

406.7 

113.6 

107.8 

211.7 

209.5 

326 

367.0 

408.0 

114.0 

108.2 

212.3 

210.1 

327 

368.2 

409.2 

114.4 

108.5 

213.0 

210.8 

328 

369.3 

410.5 

114.8 

108.9 

213.6 

211.5 

329 

370.4 

411.8 

115.1 

109.3 

214.3 

212.1 

330 

371.5 

413.1 

115.5 

109.6 

214.9 

212.8 

331 

372.7 

414.3 

115.9 

110.0 

215.6 

213.4 

332 

373.8 

415.6 

116.3 

110.3 

216.3 

214.1 

333 

374.9 

416.8 

116.7 

110.7 

217.0 

214.7 

334 

376.0 

418.1 

117.0 

111.1 

217.7 

215.4 

335 

377.2 

419.3 

117.4 

111.5 

218.4 

216.1 

336 

378.3 

420.6 

117.8 

111.8 

219.1 

216.7 

337 

379.4 

421.9 

118.2 

112.2 

219.8 

217.4 

338 

380.5 

423.1 

118.6 

112.5 

220.4 

218.0 

339 

381.7 

424.4 

119.0 

112.9 

221.1 

218.7 

340 

382.8 

425.6 

119.4 

113.3 

221.7 

219.3 

341 

383.9 

426.9 

119.8 

113.6 

222.4 

220.0 

342 

385.0 

428.1 

120.1 

114.0 

223.0 

220.7 

343 

386.2 

429.4 

120.5 

114.4 

223.7 

221.3 

344 

387.3 

430.6 

120.9 

114.7 

224.4 

222.0 

345 

388.4 

431.9 

121.3 

115.1 

225.1 

222.6 

346 

389.6 

433.1 

121.7 

115.5 

225.8 

223.3 

347 

390.7 

434.4 

122.1 

115.8 

226.5 

224.0 

348 

391.8 

435.6 

122.4 

116.2 

227.2 

224.6 

349 

392.9 

436.9 

122.8 

116.6 

227.9 

225.3 

350 

394.0 

438.1 

123.2 

117.0 

228.5 

225.9 

351 

395.2 

439.4 

123.6 

117.3 

229.2 

226.6 

DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


313 


table  iv  (continued) 


Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactos 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

CeHuOg 

c^o. 

CuHjjOu.I 

352 

396.3 

440.6 

124.0 

117.7 

229.9 

353 

397.4 

441.9 

124.3 

118.1 

230.6 

354 

398.6 

443.1 

124.7 

118.4 

231.2 

355 

399.7 

444.4 

125.1 

118.8 

231.9 

356 

400.8 

445.7 

125.5 

119.2 

232.6 

357 

401.9 

446.9 

125.9 

119.5 

233.2 

358 

403.1 

448.1 

126.3 

119.9 

233.9 

359 

404.2 

449.4 

126.7 

120.3 

234.6 

360 

405.3 

450.6 

127.1 

120.7 

235.3 

361 

406.4 

451.9 

127.5 

121.0 

236.0 

362 

407.6 

453.1 

127.9 

121.4 

236.6 

363 

408.7 

454.4 

128.2 

121.8 

237.3 

364 

409.8 

455.6 

128.6 

122.1 

238.0 

365 

410.9 

456.9 

129.0 

122.5 

238.7 

366 

412.1 

458.1 

129.4 

122.9 

239.4 

367 

413.2 

459.4 

129.8 

123.2 

240.1 

368 

414.3 

460.6 

130.2 

123.6 

240.7 

369 

415.4 

461.9 

130.6 

124.0 

241.4 

370 

416.6 

463.1 

131.0 

124.3 

242.1 

371 

417.7 

464.4 

131.4 

124.7 

242.8 

372 

418.8 

465.6 

131.8 

125.1 

243.5 

373 

420.0 

466.9 

132.1 

125.5 

244.1 

374 

421.1 

468.1 

132.5 

125.8 

244.8 

375 

422.2 

469.4 

132.9 

126.2 

245.5 

376 

423.3 

470.6 

133.3 

126.6 

246.2 

377 

424.5 

471.9 

133.7 

127.0 

246.8 

378 

425.6 

473.0 

134.1 

127.4 

247.5 

379 

426.7 

474.3 

134.5 

127.7 

248.2 

380 

427.8 

475.6 

134.9 

128.1 

248.9 

381 

429.0 

476.8 

135.3 

128.5 

249.6 

382 

430.1 

478.1 

135.7 

128.8 

250.2 

383 

431.2 

479.3 

136.1 

129.2 

250.9 

384 

432.3 

480.6 

136.5 

129.6 

251.6 

385 

433.5 

481.8 

136.9 

130.0 

252.3 

386 

434.6 

483.1 

137.3 

130.3 

253.0 

387 

435.7 

484.3 

137.7 

130.7 

253.6 

388 

436.8 

485.6 

138.0 

131.1 

254.3 

389 

438.0 

486.9 

138.4 

131.5 

255.0 

390 

439.1 

488.2 

138.8 

131.9 

255.7 

391 

440.2 

489.4 

139.2 

132.2 

256.4 

392 

441.3 

490.7 

139.6 

132.6 

257.0 

393 

442.4 

491.9 

140.0 

133.0 

257.7 

Invert 

Maltose 
Mg. 


227.3 
227.9 
228.6 
229.2 
229.9 
230.6 
231.2 
231.9 
232.6 
233.2 
233.9 
234.5 
235.2 
235.9 
236.5 
237.2 
237.8 
238.5 
239.2 
239.8 
240.5 
241.2 
241.8 
242.5 
243.1 
243.8 
244.5 
245.1 
245.8 
246.5 
247.1 
247.8 
248.5 
249.1 
249.8 
250.4 
251.1 
251.8 
252.4 
253.1 
253.8 
254.4 


314 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


table  rv  (continued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C6H1208 

CoH^Og 

CjsH^Ou.  H20 

C^HjjOu.HjO 

394 

443.6 

493.2 

140.4 

133.4 

258.4 

255.1 

395 

444.7 

494.4 

140.8 

133.8 

259.1 

255.8 

396 

445.9 

495.7 

141.2 

134.2 

259.8 

256.4 

397 

447.0 

496.9 

141.6 

134.5 

260.5 

257.1 

398 

448.1 

498.2 

142.0 

134.9 

261.1 

257.8 

399 

449.2 

499.5 

142.4 

135.3 

261.8 

258.4 

400 

450.3 

500.7 

142.8 

135.7 

262.5 

259.1 

401 

451.5 

502.0 

143.2 

136.1 

263.2 

259.8 

402 

452.6 

503.2 

143.6 

136.4 

263.9 

260.4 

403 

453.7 

504.5 

144.0 

136.8 

264.5 

261.1 

404 

454.8 

505.7 

144.4 

137.2 

265.2 

261.8 

405 

456.0 

507.0 

144.8 

137.6 

265.9 

262.4 

406 

457.1 

508.2 

145.2 

137.9 

266.6 

263.1 

407 

458.2 

509.5 

145.6 

138.3 

267.3 

263.8 

408 

459.4 

510.7 

146.0 

138.7 

267.9 

264.4 

409 

460.5 

512.0 

146.4 

139.1 

268.6 

265.1 

410 

461.6 

513.2 

146.8 

139.5 

269.3 

265.8 

411 

462.7 

514.5 

147.2 

139.9 

270.0 

266.4 

412 

463.8 

515.7 

147.6 

140.2 

270.7 

267.1 

413 

465.0 

517.0 

148.0 

140.6 

271.4 

267.8 

414 

466.1 

518.2 

148.4 

141.0 

272.1 

268.4 

415 

467.2 

519.5 

148.8 

141.4 

272.8 

269.1 

416 

468.4 

520.7 

149.2 

141.8 

273.5 

269.7 

417 

469.5 

522.0 

149.6 

142.2 

274.1 

270.4 

418 

470.6 

523.2 

150.0 

142.6 

274.8 

271.1 

419 

471.8 

524.5 

150.4 

143.0 

275.5 

271.8 

420 

472.9 

525.7 

150.8 

143.3 

276.2 

272.4 

421 

474.0 

527.0 

151.2 

143.7 

276.9 

273.1 

422 

475.1 

528.2 

151.6 

144.1 

277.6 

273.8 

423 

476.2 

529.5 

152.0 

144.5 

278.3 

274.4 

424 

477.4 

530.7 

152.4 

144.9 

278.9 

275.1 

425 

478.5 

532.0 

152.8 

145.3 

279.6 

275.8 

426 

479.6 

533.2 

153.2 

145.7 

280.3 

276.5 

427 

480.7 

534.5 

153.6 

146.1 

280.9 

277.1 

428 

481.9 

535.7 

154.0 

146.4 

281.6 

277.8 

429 

483.0 

537.0 

154.4 

146.8 

282.3 

278.5 

430 

484.1 

538.2 

154.8 

147.2 

282.9 

279.1 

431 

485.3 

539.5 

155.3 

147.6 

283.6 

279.8 

432 

486.4 

540.7 

155.7 

148.0 

284.3 

280.5 

433 

487.5 

542.0 

156.1 

148.4 

285.0 

281.1 

434 

488.6 

543.2 

156.5 

148.8 

285.7 

281.8 

435 

489.7 

544.5 

156.9 

149.1 

286.4 

282.5 

DETERMINATION  OF  REDUCING  SUGARS 


315 


table  rv  (contmued) 


Invert 

Cuprous 

Cupric 

Glucose 

sugar 

Lactose 

Maltose 

Copper 

oxide 

oxide 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

Mg. 

C.H^O, 

C6H1208 

OuHgjOu-HjO 

C12H22Ou.H20 

436 

490.9 

545.7 

157.3 

149.5 

287.1 

283.1 

437 

492.0 

547.0 

157.7 

149.9 

287.8 

283.S 

438 

493.1 

548.2 

158.1 

150.3 

288.5 

284.5 

439 

494.3 

549.5 

158.5 

150.7 

289.2 

285.2 

440 

495.4 

550.7 

158.9 

151.1 

289.9 

285.8 

441 

496.5 

552.0 

159.3 

151.5 

290.6 

286.5 

442 

497.6 

553.2 

159.8 

151.9 

291.3 

287.2 

443 

498.8 

554.5 

160.2 

152.3 

292.0 

287.8 

444 

499.9 

555.7 

160.6 

152.7 

292.7 

288.5 

445 

501.0 

557.0 

161.0 

153.1 

293.4 

289.2 

446 

502.1 

558.2 

161.4 

153.5 

294.1 

289.8 

447 

503.2 

559.5 

161.8 

153.9 

294.8 

290.5 

448 

504.4 

560.7 

162.2 

154.3 

295.5 

291.2 

449 

505.5 

562.0 

162.6 

154.7 

296.2 

291.9 

450 

506.6 

563.3 

163.0 

155.1 

296.9 

292.5 

ATROPIN  THERAPY  IN  DIABETES  MELLITUS.*t 
Herman  0.  Mosenthal,  M.D. 

The  atropin  therapy  of  diabetes  mellitus  has  recently  been  ad- 
vocated by  Rudisch1  and  by  Forchheimer.2  Carbohydrate  tolerance 
is,  according  to  Rudisch,  greater  with  atropin  than  without.  The 
more  striking  results  were  obtained  with  atropin  sulphate,  though  in 
some  instances  atropin  methyl  bromid  was  substituted. 

The  following  two  cases  of  diabetes  mellitus  were  tested  out  with 
atropin  sulphate.  A  constant  weighed  diet,  as  detailed  in  the  pro- 
tocols, was  given.  When  the  daily  variations  in  the  amount  of  glu- 
cose excreted  had  been  reduced  to  a  minimum,  atropin  sulphate  was 
administered  in  increasing  doses  for  a  sufficiently  long  period  of  time 
to  give  the  drug  a  chance  to  exert  any  action  of  which  it  was  capable. 
With  both  subjects  the  experiments  were  continued  until  toxic  effects 
were  observed.  Under  these  conditions  the  glycosuria  should  be  di- 
minished if  atropin  sulphate  is  capable  of  increasing  the  carbohydrate 
tolerance. 

Any  drug  which  modifies  the  carbohydrate  metabolism  may  in- 
fluence the  formation  of  the  so-called  acid  bodies,  acetone,  diacetic 
acid  and  beta-oxybutyric  acid.  If  atropin  diminished  the  utilization 
of  glucose  within  the  organism,  the  acid  bodies  would  increase  in  the 
urine.  Therefore  there  is  some  interest  attached  to  the  determination 
of  these  substances  in  a  study  of  this  kind.  In  one  of  the  cases  ob- 
served, small  but  persistent  amounts  of  acetone  and  diacetic  acid 
were  present  in  the  urine,  as  shown  by  previous  qualitative  tests. 
Any  possible  increase  in  these  substances  was  measured  by  the  am- 
monia output  and  its  relation  to  the  total  nitrogen  of  the  urine. 
Normally  the  amount  of  ammonia  nitrogen  excreted  is  about  5  per 

♦From  the  service  of  Dr.  F.  C.  Wood,  St  Luke's  Hospital,  New  York. 
tReprinted  from  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  March 
16,  1912. 

'Rudisch,  J. :  The  Journal  A.  M.  A,  Oct.  23,  1909,  p.  1366. 
'Forchheimer,  F. :    Am.  Jour.  Med.  Sc,  1911,  cxli,  157. 

316 


ATROPIN  THERAPY  IN  DIABETES 


317 


cent  of  the  total  nitrogen.    A  rise  in  this  percentage  indicates  an  in- 
crease in  the  excretion  of  acid  substances. 

In  these  analyses  the  glucose  was  determined  by  Benedict's  meth- 
od,3 the  ammonia  according  to  Folin,  and  the  nitrogen  by  the  Kjel- 
dahl  process.  The  presence  or  absence  of  acetone  was  established 
by  the  Legal  reaction,  that  of  diacetic  acid  by  the  ferric  chlorid  test. 


TABLE    1— URINE    ANALYSES    AND    MEDICATION    IN    A    CASE    OF    DIABETES 

MELLITUS    (CASE  1). 

Urine  in  Twenty-four  Hours. 


rH 

OS 
rH 

V 

e 

u 

o> 

oT  • 

o  o 

a 

M 

<u 

00 

O 

2a 

—  a 

a 

bo 

eS 

d 
o 

■4-»      . 

a  *  o 

3  a 

a  a 

>> 

a 

Q 

O) 

O. 

<D 

3 

V  v 

o 

ol  a> 

a 

a  hvi 

®rh 

<u 

"3 

o 

SO 

3 

3* 

a 

a-° 

uO 

o 

Q 

> 

5 

3 

H 

o 

< 

< 

Q 

Symptoms. 

3/18 

1,460 

2.2 

23.4 

9.1 

.34 

3.1* 

0 

3/19 

1,290 

2.4 

30.3 

9.6 

.45 

3.9* 

0 

3/20 

1,720 

2.8 

47.5 

8.9 

.55 

5.1 

0 

3/21 

1,680 

1.9 

31.1 

9.9 

.58 

4.9 

0 

3/22 

1,080 

2.1 

22.9 

7.7 

.48 

5.1 

0 

3/23 

1,200 

2.0 

23.5 

9.7 

.58 

4.9 

1/100 

3 

3/24 

1,320 

2.0 

26.7 

9.8 

.55 

4.6 

1/100 

3 

Mouth  slightly  dry- 

3/25 

1,800 

1.5 

26.7 

9.9 

.63 

5.2 

1/100 

3 

Cheeks  flushed. 

3/26 

1,910 

1.5 

29.0 

12.2 

.79 

5.4 

1/100 

4 

3/27 

1,560 

1.2 

18.4 

9.7 

.57 

4.9 

1/50 

3 

3/28 

1,300 

1.6 

20.2 

9.2 

.65 

5.8 

1/50 

3 

3/29 

1,480 

0.6 

8.7 

5.5 

.43 

6.5 

1/50 

3 

3/30 

1,300 

0.8 

13.4 

7.0 

.54 

6.3 

1/25 

3 

Vertigo  ;  very  dim  vision. 

3/31 

1,940 

1.6 

30.3 

10.1 

.81 

6.6 

1/25 

2 

4/1 

1,560 

1.3 

19.5 

10.1 

.66 

5.4 

1/25 

2 

Head  "feels  full." 

4/2 

1,730 

1.9 

32.0 

10.1 

.75 

6.1 

0 

4/3 

1,200 

2.9 

35.4 

8.7 

.59 

5.6 

0 

4/4 

930 

1.8 

17.1 

7.8 

.59 

6.2 

0 

4/5 

1,175 

2.1 

24.9 

12.6 

.76 

5.0 

0 

•The  initial  low  figures  for  ammonia  may  be  regarded  as  the  after-effects  of  bicar- 
bonate of  soda  taken  before  admission  to  the  hospital. 

'Benedict,  S.  R. :    The  Journal  A.  M.  A,  Oct.  7,  1911,  p.  1193. 


318 


ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 


TABLE  2. RECORD  OP  URINE  ANALYSES  AND  MEDICATION  IN  A  CASE  OP 

DIABETES   MELLITUS    (CASE   2). 

Urine  in  Twenty-four  Hours. 


1-1 

a> 

V 
+-> 
OS 

C 

w 

a 

3 
© 
> 

u 
m 

o  & 
3  <o 

arJ 

3 

a 

Ml 

■ 
o 

3 

o 

CSO 
08  ft 

50 

0P 

fa 

Q 
u 
<o 

ft 

ce 
s> 

00 

o 
Q 

8/9 

1,000 

1.0 

9.6 

0 

Symptoms. 

8/10 

740 

1.1 

7.8 

0 

8/11 

1,150 

1.1 

12.2 

0 

8/12 

860 

1.0 

8.6 

0 

8/13 

810 

1.1 

8.8 

0 

8/14 

1/100 

3 

8/15 

980 

0.6 

6.2 

1/100 

3 

Mouth  slightly  dry. 

8/16 

1/100 

3 

8/17 

1,085 

0.7 

7.2 

1/100 

3 

8/18 

1,145 

0.7 

8.1 

1/100 

3 

Vision  dim  temporar 

8/19 

1,095 

0.8 

9.1 

2/100 

3 

8/20 

1,550 

0.5 

8.2 

2/100 

3 

8/21 

1,485 

0.3 

4.6 

2/100 

3 

Mouth  very  dry. 

8/22 

1,340 

0.3 

4.0 

3/100 

3 

8/23 

1,150 

0.4 

4.1 

3/100 

3 

8/24 

1,690 

1.0 

16.6 

3/100 

3 

8/25 

1,155 

1.0 

11.6 

4/100 

3 

8/26 

1,800 

1.7 

29.9 

4/100 

3 

8/27 

1,030 

1.3 

12.9 

5/100 

3 

Face  flushed. 

8/28 

2,360 

0.4 

9.9 

5/100 

3 

8/29 

1,920 

0.7 

13.6 

6/100 

3 

8/30 

1,720 

0.4 

7.1 

6/100 

3 

8/31 

1,600 

0.5 

7.2 

7/100 

3 

Mouth  Intensely  dry 

9/1 

865 

1.0 

8.3 

7/100 

3 

Pupils  dilated. 

9/2 

1,430 

0.4 

6.0 

7/100 

3 

9/3 

1,300 

0.5 

5.9 

0 

9/4 

1,400 

2.3 

31.8 

0 

9/5 

1,045 

1.1 

11.1 

0 

9/6 

1,400 

1.8 

25.2 

0 

Case  1. — Patient,  a  tailor,  of  Russian  birth,  aged  38,  about  two  years  ago 
began  to  suffer  with  polyuria,  thirst,  increased  appetite  and  loss  of  weight. 
Glucose  was  discovered  in  the  urine,  but  dietary  restrictions  were  never  ob- 
served for  very  long  periods  of  time.  After  being  treated  for  one  month  at 
the  Vanderbilt  Clinic  as  an  out-patient,  he  was  sent  to  Dr.  Wood's  service  at 
St.  Luke's  Hospital.  The  patient's  urine  gave  constant  positive  reactions  of 
moderate  intensity  for  acetone  and  diacetic  acid.  He  was  placed  on  the 
following  diet: 

Breakfast. — Coffee  or  tea,  with  V/2  ounces  of  cream ;  two  eggs,  cooked  with 
y2  ounce  butter;  3  ounces  ham;  one  slice  bread,  weight  exactly  1  ounce,  with 
14  ounce  butter. 

Lunch. — Bouillon,  with  one  raw  egg;  3  ounces  any  lean  meat,  1  ounce 


ATROPIN  THERAPY  IN  DIABETES  319 

bacon ;  vegetables  from  list,*  3  ounces,  with  %  ounce  butter  or  oil ;  1  ounce 
whisky  or  brandy ;  one  slice  bread,  weight  exactly  1  ounce,  with  *4  ounce  butter. 

Afternoon  tea,  with  %  ounce  cream. 

Dinner. — Any  clear  soup ;  4  ounces  any  lean  meat ;  vegetables  from  list,*  3 
ounces,  with  y2  ounce  butter  or  oil ;  1  ounce  cheese,  English,  pineapple,  Swiss, 
or  full-cream  cheese;  one  slice  white  bread,  weight  exactly  1  ounce,  with  % 
ounce  butter ;  1  ounce  whiskey  or  brandy ;  demitasse  coffee. 

Case  2. — Patient,  a  native  of  France,  aged  59,  foreman  in  a  factory,  was 
found  to  have  sugar  in  his  urine  about  four  years  ago.  Only  during  the  last 
year  before  examination  had  he  been  complaining  of  diabetic  symptoms :  occa- 
sional increased  appetite  and  thirst.  There  had  been  some  stiffness,  pain  and 
weakness  in  the  legs.  The  neurologic  department  of  the  Vanderbilt  Clinic 
diagnosed  the  case  as  one  of  multiple  neuritis  of  diabetic  origin.  The  urine 
occasionally  showed  a  trace  of  acetone,  but  no  diacetic  acid.  After  being  ob- 
served for  one  month  at  the  Vanderbilt  Clinic,  he  was  sent  to  St.  Luke's  Hos- 
pital. He  was  given  the  same  diet  as  the  patient  in  Case  1,  except  that  2 
ounces  of  bread  were  ordered  with  each  meal  instead  of  1. 

The  above  reports  give  no  indication  that  atropin  sulphate  effects 
any  change  in  the  carbohydrate  tolerance  of  sufficient  importance  to 
make  the  drug  of  clinical  value  in  the  treatment  of  diabetes  mellitus. 

Vegetables  allowed  were:  Asparagus,  beet  greens,  Brussels  sprouts,  cab- 
bage, cauliflower,  celery,  chicory,  cresses,  cucumbers,  egg  plant,  endive,  lettuce, 
mushrooms,  radishes,  rhubarb,  salsify,  spinach,  string  beans,  tomatoes,  vege- 
table marrow. 


ANATOMICAL  STUDY  OF  A  THORACOPAGUS. 
J.  R.  Pawling,  M.D. 
From  the  Pathological  Department. 
F.  C.  Wood,  M.D.,  Director. 

This  specimen  was  sent  to  the  laboratory  from  the  service  of  Dr. 
C.  L.  Gibson,  in  February,  1911.  Some  one  had  named  the  twins 
"John  and  Mary,"  evidently  forgetting  his  embryology,  for  they  are, 
of  course,  identical  or  homologous  twins;  i.e.,  have  developed  in  the 
same  amniotic  sac  and  have  resulted  probably  from  the  division  of  a 
single  ovum.  In  such  cases,  there  may  be  produced  two  separate  in- 
dividuals, i.e.,  normal  twins  of  like  sex;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  there 
may  be  formed,  in  some  way,  a  double  monster. 

We  may  classify  double  monsters  in  two  main  classes:  first,  those 
showing  decidedly  unequal  development;  for  example,  the  case  of  a 
more  or  less  completely  developed  autosite  having  an  aeardiac  para- 
site springing  from  its  thorax ;  and,  second,  those  showing  practically 
equal  development.  This  second  class  may  still  further  be  divided 
(according  to  Adami)  into  two  classes:  first,  those  that  have  resulted 
from  cleavage  in  the  very  early  embryo — at  the  superior  pole,  at  the 
inferior  pole,  at  both,  or  between  these  poles ;  i.e.,  if  cells  of  the  head 
center  become  split,  those  cells  developing  from  them  at  each  side 
would  form  duplicate  sets  of  tissue,  a  double  head,  for  instance; 
whereas  the  cells  of  the  rump  center  developing  in  the  normal  way 
would  produce  a  single  body.  (Examples  of  superior  duplication 
would  thus  include  all  varieties,  from  a  monster  having  two  heads, 
four  arms,  a  double  trunk,  and  two  legs,  down  to  a  case  simply  of 
bifurcation  of  the  hypophysis  of  the  brain.)  His  second  class  in- 
cludes those  that  he  believes  have  resulted  from  fusion  of  what  would 
otherwise  have  become  identical  twins;  and  these  may  be  subdivided 
according  to  the  location  and  extent  of  this  fusion. 

The  specimen  we  have  to  consider  belongs  to  this  latter  class,  and 
it  may  be  termed  an  equal  monosymmetrical  thoracopagus.  The  term 
equal  is  used  because  the  twins  show  practically  the  same  measure- 

320 


Fig-  1- — The  specimen  before  dissection,  showing  the  double  thumb. 


ANATOMICAL  STUDY  OF  A  THORACOPAGUS         321 

ments.  They  are  monosymmetrical  because,  as  is  more  often  the  case, 
the  union  is  not  exactly  face  to  face ;  i.e.,  the  arms,  for  example,  are 
somewhat  farther  apart  on  one  side  than  on  the  other  because  the 
antero-posterior  planes  of  the  fetuses  do  not  exactly  coincide.  The 
term  thoracopagus  is  really  not  exact  because  the  union  includes  not 
only  the  thorax  but  the  upper  part  of  the  abdomen  as  well,  for  it  will 
be  noticed  in  the  photograph  taken  before  dissection  that  the  cord 
springs  from  the  under  surface  of  the  bond  of  union.  (The  same 
picture  shows  also  the  double  thumb  in  one  fetus  which  Nature  added 
as  a  finishing  touch  to  an  already  interesting  specimen.) 

The  age  of  the  twins  may  be  estimated  at  about  four  months,  to 
judge  from  their  development;  the  mother's  last  menstruation  oc- 
curred October  14,  1910,  and  she  aborted  February  2,  1911. 

In  order  to  show  the  relations  of  the  viscera,  one  side  of  the  speci- 
men (which,  for  convenience,  we  may  speak  of  as  the  "front")  was 
removed  completely.  In  dissecting  up  the  skin,  the  recti  muscles 
were  exposed  and  found  to  extend  from  the  lower  ribs  downward 
and  outward  to  each  pubis.  By  making  translucent  the  portion  of 
chest-wall  removed,  we  found  that  instead  of  the  sternum  of  each 
side  coming  in  contact  face  to  face  (as,  at  first  glance,  we  might  ex- 
pect), each  sternum  had  split,  the  corresponding  parts  on  each  side, 
i.e.,  the  front  and  back  of  the  specimen,  forming  a  separate  sternum. 

The  thorax,  therefore,  is  common ;  it  contains  a  single  pericardium 
inclosing  one  heart  having  five  chambers.  The  apex  of  the  heart,  as 
we  look  at  the  specimen,  points  directly  forward.  The  auricles  lie 
at  about  the  same  level,  so  that  the  long  axis  of  the  heart  is  in  a  hori- 
zontal plane.  Two  aortae  leave  the  two  left  ventricles,  the  arch  in 
each  fetus  taking  the  normal  direction.  Two  inferior  venas  cava?  pierce 
the  diaphragm  and  enter  a  common  right  auricle.  This  is  continuous 
with  a  common  left  auricle.  Into  this  common  chamber  enters  also  a 
pulmonary  vein  from  the  right  fetus.  (The  other  pulmonary  veins 
have  not  been  followed.)  The  course  taken  by  the  blood  seems  to 
have  been  as  follows:  entering  the  common  right  auricle  by  the  in- 
ferior and  superior  venae  cava?,  it  reached  the  common  left  auricle, 
and  thence  to  the  two  left  ventricles  and  the  two  aortae  to  the  arterial 
system,  but  also  partly  back  to  the  lungs  through  the  ductus  arterio- 
sus of  each  fetus.  Some  left  the  common  right  auricle  to  enter  the 
single  right  ventricle,  then  through  the  pulmonary  artery  of  the  right 
fetus  to  the  lungs  on  that  side.  The  pulmonary  artery  of  the  left 
fetus  appears  to  be  represented  only  by  a  fibrous  cord  which  extends 


322  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

to  the  root  of  the  aorta  (there  being  no  right  ventricle  for  that  fetus), 
so  that  its  lungs  received  blood  only  from  its  aorta  by  way  of  the 
ductus  arteriosus. 

The  lungs  show  the  usual  divisions  into  lobes.  The  left  lung  of 
the  right  fetus  presents  a  cardiac  incisure  which  receives  the  apex 
of  the  heart.  The  left  lung  of  the  left  fetus  is  abnormal  in  that  a 
lobe  hooks  over  the  aorta,  and  there  is,  in  addition,  a  groove  accom- 
modating the  left  superior  vena  cava,  which  runs  down  between  the 
outer  surface  of  the  left  lung  and  the  chest  wall. 

We  come  next  to  the  diaphragm,  which  is  single  and  arches  over 
a  single  large  liver.  The  upper  part  of  the  liver  has  in  the  median 
line  a  shallow  groove,  from  which  a  thin  fibrous  partition  extended 
to  the  abdominal  wall.  The  umbilical  vein  is  single  and  enters  the 
liver  through  a  deep  notch  situated  at  about  the  center  of  this  "front" 
surface.  Above  and  below  this  the  liver  is  continuous  across.  At 
each  side  of  this  opening  there  is  a  deep  horizontal  cut,  as  if  to  rep- 
resent what  would  have  been  an  umbilical  fissure  in  each  liver.  The 
umbilical  vein,  followed  into  the  substance  of  the  liver,  divides  into 
two  branches:  that  at  the  left  becomes  lost  by  smaller  subdivisions, 
but  the  right  branch  also  connects  by  a  distinct  branch  with  the  right 
inferior  vena  cava,  this  connection  being  a  ductus  venosus. 

The  intestinal  tract  is  very  interesting.  As  the  abdominal  wall  was 
opened,  a  small,  pointed  pouch,  about  half  a  centimeter  long,  was 
seen  adherent  to  the  inner  surface  of  the  cord.  It  is  the  remnant  of 
the  vitelline  duet,  or  a  Meckel's  diverticulum.  This  opens  into  a 
horizontal  loop  of  gut  and  is  located  at  a  Y-shaped  junction  formed 
by  what  we  may  call  a  common  jejunum  meeting  the  two  ilea.  That 
is  to  say,  below  this  point  each  fetus  has  its  own  intestinal  tract. 
The  cecum  and  appendix  are  located  at  the  left  side  in  the  right 
fetus  and  slightly  to  the  right  of  the  median  line  in  the  left  fetus. 
Following  upward  this  common  jejunum,  we  find  that  it  continues 
single  almost  up  to  the  stomachs,  where  it  joins  a  horizontal  loop 
made  up  of  the  two  short  duodena.  This  is  shown  in  the  diagram  of 
the  intestinal  tract. 

We  see,  then,  that  in  regard  to  the  two  important  systems,  viz., 
the  circulatory  and  the  alimentary,  the  twins  are  very  closely  con- 
nected. The  viability  of  such  a  monster,  even  if  it  could  have  been 
delivered  at  term,  seems  very  unlikely.  We  have  spoken  of  the  speci- 
men as  the  "Siamese  twins,"  but  the  two  cases  are  really  not  very 
similar,  since  the  Siamese  twins  were  joined  only  by  a  band  which 


Fig.   2. — The  dissection   of  thorax    and   abdomen. 


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ANATOMICAL  STUDY  OF  A  THORACOPAGUS         323 

measured  a  few  inches  in  diameter  when  they  had  reached  adult  life. 
It  contained,  however,  a  narrow  band  of  liver.  They  lived  to  be 
sixty-three  years  old. 

The  underlying  causes  of  the  production  of  such  monsters  are,  of 
course,  far  from  settled.  Experimental  teratology  surely  is  an  in- 
teresting study,  but  so  far  it  has  been  confined  chiefly  to  lower  animals, 
e.g.,  the  production  of  double  tadpoles  by  tying  a  fine  thread  about 
the  egg,  or  of  spina  bifida  and  cyclopia  by  subjecting  normal  fish-eggs 
to  the  action  of  sodium  salts.  These  and  similar  experiments  tend  to 
show  that  the  production  of  monsters  is  the  result  of  external  caus- 
ation. It  is  believed  that  the  same  holds  good  for  human  pathological 
embryos  and  monsters. 

F.  P.  Mall  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  whereas  only  0.7  per  cent 
of  all  pregnancies  end  in  the  production  of  pathological  ova,  in  tubal 
pregnancies  96  per  cent  become  pathological  or  produce  monsters; 
and  the  data  of  von  Winkel  of  87  live  fetuses  removed  from  ruptured 
tubal  pregnancies  show  that  only  8  were  really  normal. 

Professor  Mall  concludes  from  this  and  from  experimental  tera- 
tology that  the  cause  of  the  production  of  monsters  is  not  germinal, 
i.e.,  inherent  in  the  ovum  or  sperm,  but  is  the  result  of  external  in- 
fluences. His  33  cases  of  pathological  human  ova,  he  finds,  can  be 
classified  in  three  groups:  in  the  first  group  of  11  cases,  a  severe 
hemorrhage  for  several  days  preceded  the  abortion ;  the  second  group 
of  12  specimens  were  abortions  from  newly  married  women  or  rela- 
tively sterile  women  who  had  been  married  for  some  time;  and  the 
third  group  of  10  specimens  were  from  women  who  had  given  birth 
to  a  number  of  healthy  children  and  then  began  to  abort,  often  two 
or  three  times.  This  last  group  showed  that  the  cause  could  not  have 
been  germinal,  because  these  women  had  previously  borne  normal 
children.  The  explanation  is  rather  that  the  uterus  was  at  first 
normal,  but  later  became  pathological,  so  that  the  fertilized  ovum 
could  not  implant  itself  properly,  but  was  aborted. 

In  this  connection  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  case  we  have 
been  considering  was  that  of  a  woman,  aged  33,  married  7  years,  who 
had  had  two  children,  followed  by  three  abortions,  the  last  of  which 
was  preceded  by  a  metrorrhagia  lasting  three  months.  And  it  may 
be  added  that  this  patient  returned  to  the  hospital  in  January,  1912, 
about  a  year  after  her  last  abortion,  presenting  again  the  symptoms 
of  threatened  abortion,  but  left  after  a  week,  the  pregnancy  not  hav- 
ing been  interrupted. 


REPORT   OF   THE   PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT   OF  ST. 
LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  YEAR  1911. 

F.  C.  Wood,  M.D.,  Director. 

The  following  abbreviated  report  gives  the  statistical  results  of  the 

work  done  in  the  various  laboratories  of  the  department  during  the 
year. 

DIVISION  OF  SURGICAL  PATHOLOGY. 

In  the  course  of  the  year  762  specimens  of  tissue  were  examined 
histologically.    The  diagnoses  were  as  follows : 

TUMORS. 

Adenocarcinoma  of  abdomen 1 

Adenocarcinoma  of  breast 1 

Adenocarcinoma  of  colon 3 

Adenocarcinoma  of  ovary 1 

Adenocarcinoma  of  rectum 6 

Adenocarcinoma  of  stomach 1 

Adenocarcinoma  of  uterus 5 

Adenomyoma  of  uterus 1 

Carcinoma  of  antrum 1 

Carcinoma  of  abdominal  wall 1 

Carcinoma  of  breast 34 

Carcinoma  of  cervix  uteri 2 

Carcinoma  of  jaw 1 

Carcinoma  of  lymph  nodes 2 

Carcinoma  of  neck 1 

Carcinoma  of  omentum 2 

Carcinoma  of  ovary 5 

Carcinoma  of  peritoneum 1 

Carcinoma  of  prostate 1 

Carcinoma  of  rectum 2 

Carcinoma  of  sternum 1 

Carcinoma  of  stomach 1 

Carcinoma  of  tonsil 1 

324 


REPORT  OF  PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT  325 

TTJMOBS — Cont. 

Carcinoma,  gelatinous,  of  caput  coli 1 

Carcinoma,  gelatinous,  of  omentum 1 

Carcinoma,  gelatinous,  of  ovary 1 

Carcinoma,  gelatinous,  of  rectum 3 

Carcinoma,  squamous  cell,  of  urinary  bladder 1 

Cystadenoma  of  breast 6 

Cystadenoma  of  ovary 3 

Cystoma  of  ovary 1 

Cystoma  of  peritoneum 1 

Cystoma,  multilocular  mucinous,  of  ovary 1 


Ep 
Ep 
Ep 

Ep 
Ep 
Ep 
Ep 
Ep 
Ep 
Ep 
Ep 


thelioma  of  ala  nasi 1 

thelioma  of  cervix  uteri 7 

thelioma  of  cheek  and  face 6 

thelioma  of  conjunctiva 1 

thelioma  of  esophagus 1 

thelioma  of  eyelid 2 

thelioma  of  groin 1 

thelioma  of  hand 2 

thelioma  of  jaw 2 

thelioma  of  larynx 1 

thelioma  of  lip & 


Epithelioma  of  lymph  nodes 5 

Epithelioma  of  mouth 1 

Epithelioma  of  neck 2 

Epithelioma  of  pharynx 1 

Epithelioma  of  scalp I 

Epithelioma  of  tongue 4 

Epithelioma  of  vulva 1 

Epithelioma,  basal  cell,  of  face 4 

Epithelioma,  basal  cell,  of  eyelid 2 

Fibroadenoma  of  breast 7 

Fibroadenoma  of  prostate 1 

Fibroadenoma,  intracanalicular,  of  breast 2 

Fibroma  of  thigh 1 

Fibroma,  soft,  of  hand 1 

Fibromyoma  of  uterus 75 

Fibrosarcoma  of  femur 1 

Fibrosarcoma  of  small  intestine 1 

Hemangioma  of  face 1 

Lipoma  of  arm 1 

Lipoma  of  back 1 

Lipoma  of  chest 1 

Lipoma  of  neck 1 

Lipoma  of  knee 1 

Lipoma  of  thigh 1 

Myxo-fibroma  of  ulnar  nerve 1 


326  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

tumors — Cont 

Neuro-fibro-liporna 1 

Osteoma  of  palate 1 

Papilloma  of  bladder 1 

Papilloma  of  face 1 

Polyp  of  cervix  uteri 3 

Polyp  of  endometrium 1 

Sarcoma  of  abdomen 1 

Sarcoma  of  orbit 1 

Sarcoma  of  pelvis 1 

Sarcoma  of  spinal  cord  and  vertebrae 1 

Sarcoma,  giant  cell,  of  jaw 1 

Sarcoma,  lympbo-,  of  cervical  nodes 1 

Sarcoma,  lympbo-,  of  neck 1 

Sarcoma,  lympbo-,  of  tonsil 1 

Sarcoma,  lympbo-,  of  thorax 1 

Sarcoma,  melano-,  of  ovary,  breast  and  peritoneum 1 

Sarcoma,  myxo-,  of  foot 1 

Sarcoma,  osteo-,  of  tibia 1 

CYSTS. 

Dermoid  cyst  of  ovary 7 

Epidermoid  cyst  of  neck 1 

Follicular  cyst  of  ovary 2 

Parovarian  cyst 4 

Perinephritic  cyst 1 

Sebaceous  cyst  of  scalp 1 

Strangulated  ovarian  cyst 1 

MISCELLANEOUS  TISSUES. 

BEPBODUCTIVE    SYSTEM — FEMALE. 

Corpus  luteum 1 

Decidua  and  Chorionic  Villi 18 

Ectopic  gestation 10 

Endocervicitis,  glandular 7 

Endometrium,  normal 9 

Endometrium,  atrophy  of 3 

Endometrium,  hyperplasia  of 21 

Endometrium,  edema  of 6 

Endometrium,   menstrual 4 

Endometrium,  premenstrual 2 

Endometritis,  chronic 4 

Endometritis,  interstitial 6 

Fallopian  tubes,  normal 11 


REPORT  OF  PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT  327 

REPRODUCTIVE  SYSTEM — FEMALE — Cont. 

Fallopian  tubes,  atrophy  of 2 

Hematosalpinx 1 

Galactocele 1 

Hydrosalpinx 2 

Mastitis,  acute 1 

Mastitis,  chronic 3 

Mastitis,  tuberculous 1 

Oophoritis,  subacute 1 

Oophoritis,  chronic 42 

Ovary,  normal 2 

Pyosalpinx 13 

Salpingitis,  acute 7 

Salpingitis,  chronic 20 

Salpingitis,  subacute 10 

Salpingitis,  tuberculous 2 

Salpingo-oophoritis,  acute 6 

Salpingo-oophoritis,  chronic 26 

Salpingo-oophoritis,  subacute 7 

Sinus  of  breast 1 

Tubo-ovarian  abscess 5 

Uterus,  tubes  and  ovaries,  tuberculosis  of 1 

REPRODUCTIVE    SYSTEM — MALE. 

Epididymis,  tuberculosis  of 2 

Prostate,  adenomatous  hyperplasia  of 1 

Prostate,  hypertrophy  of 2 

Prostatitis,  subdurative 1 

Testicle,  tuberculosis  of 2 

GASTROINTESTINAL  SYSTEM. 

Appendicitis,  acute 15 

Appendicitis,  catarrhal 4 

Appendicitis,  chronic 26 

Appendicitis,  subacute 6 

Appendicitis,  peri- 1 

Appendicitis,  tuberculous 1 

Appendix,  normal 3 

Cholecystitis,  acute 2 

Cholecystitis,  chronic 6 

Cholecystitis,  subacute 2 

Colitis,   acute 1 

Peritonitis,  acute 4 

Peritonitis,  subacute 1 

Peritonitis,  tuberculous 2 


328  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

GASTBOINTE8TINAL    SYSTEM — Cont 

Thrombosed  vein  of  intestine 1 

Tonsil,  chronic  inflammation  of 3" 

Tonsil,  normal 1 

Tonsil,  tuberculosis  of 1 

TTRINABY    SYSTEM. 

i 

Kidney,  multiple  abscesses  of 1 

Kidney,  tuberculosis  of 3 

Hemorrhage  into  kidney,  site  not  discovered 1 

Hydronephrosis  2 

Pyonephrosis 1 

Nephritis,   suppurative 3 

BONES    AND    JOINTS. 

Osteitis 1 

Osteitis,  productive 1 

Osteitis,  rarefying  and  productive 1 

Osteomyelitis,  chronic 4 

Osteomyelitis,  tuberculous 3 

Synovitis,  chronic 1 

Tuberculosis  of  carpal  bones 1 

Tuberculosis  of  chest  wall 1 

Tuberculosis  of  femur 1 

Tuberculosis  of  knee 1 

LYMPH    NODES 

Adenitis,  simple 4 

Adenitis,  tuberculous 29 

Nodes,  chronic  hyperplasia  of 3 

Nodes,  normal 1 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Abscesses  of  liver,  miliary 1 

Actinomycosis  of  abdomen 1 

Blood  clot 6 

Cartilage 1 

Connective  tissue 8 

Connective  tissue,  inflamed 11 

Corneal  ulcer 1 

Endarteritis,  with  gangrene  of  foot 1 

Fibrin 3 

Furuncle 1 


REPORT  OF  PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT         329 

MISCELLANEOUS — Cont. 

Gangrene  of  thumb,  diabetic 1 

Goitre,  colloid 8 

Goitre,  exophthalmic 1 

Granulation  tissue,  simple 11 

Granulation  tissue,  tuberculous 4 

Hemorrhoids,  inflamed  granulation  tissue 1 

Iridocyclitis 1 

Mucous  membrane,  normal 1 

Myositis 3 

Nasal  polyp 2 

Panophthalmitis,  chronic 1 

Pigmented  mole  of  abdomen 1 

Salivary  glands,  normal 1 

Sebaceous  cyst,  chronic  inflammation  of 1 

Tuberculosis  of  intercostal  tissue 1 

Ulcer  of  leg 1 

POST-MORTEM  EXAMINATIONS. 

During  the  past  year  fifty-three  autopsies  have  been  performed. 
Several  of  the  more  interesting  cases  are  reported  at  length  elsewhere. 

840.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Acute  aortitis.  Chronic  fibrous  myocarditis, 
with  cardiac  hypertrophy  and  dilatation,  and  relative  mitral  and  tricuspid 
insufficiency.  Healed  tuberculosis  of  lungs,  with  passive  congestion.  Chronic 
diffuse  nephritis.    Chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver  and  spleen. 

841.  Case  of  sudden  death,  a  child,  twelve  years  of  age,  in  the  hospital 
for  tuberculosis  of  spine,  hip  and  both  knees.  Besides  the  above  tuberculous 
conditions,  the  autopsy  showed  a  very  large  thymus  extending  from  the  thyroid 
gland  to  within  one  inch  of  lower  border  of  heart.  The  left  lateral  lobe  passed 
down  over  the  left  side  of  heart  in  a  thin,  flat  layer.  The  mesenteric  and 
transverse  mesocolic  nodes  were  enlarged,  and  there  was  hyperplasia  of  the 
lymphoid  nodules  throughout  the  intestine. 

842.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Subdural  hemorrhage.  Multiple  cerebral  and 
cerebellar  hemorrhages.  General  arteriosclerosis.  Coronary  sclerosis.  Cardiac 
hypertrophy.  Healed  tuberculosis  of  lungs.  Chronic  adhesive  pleurisy.  Chronic 
diffuse  nephritis. 

843.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Epithelioma  of  cervix,  with  extension  to 
pelvic  and  inguinal  lymph  nodes  and  left  iliac  vein.  Metastases  to  spleen  and 
lung.  Thrombosis  of  cerebral  veins  and  softening  of  right  hemisphere.  Double 
hydrothorax.    Anemia  of  viscera. 

844.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Acute  fibrino-purulent  pericarditis  and  empy- 
ema. Acute  bronchopneumonia.  General  lymphatic  hyperplasia.  Cloudy  swell- 
ing of  liver  and  kidneys,  with  congestion.  Acute  splenic  tumor.  Culture 
from  pericardial  exudate  showed  pneumococcus. 


330  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

845.  Case  of  corrosive  sublimate  poisoning.  Partial  autopsy.  Anatomical 
diagnosis :    Acute  parenchymatous  nephritis. 

846.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  mitral  endocarditis,  with  acute 
exacerbation.  Auricular  thrombosis.  Hypertrophy  of  heart,  dilatation  of 
auricles.  Infarction  of  lung.  Hydrothorax.  Atelectasis  of  lung.  Healed 
tuberculosis  of  lungs.  Acute  ulcerative  aortitis.  Chronic  diffuse  nephritis 
(chiefly  parenchymatous).  Chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver,  spleen  and 
intestine.  Chronic  gastritis.  Chronic  interstitial  pancreatitis.  Edema  of 
cerebral  pia  mater.  Cystic  degeneration  of  left  lenticular  nucleus  (old  soft- 
ening). 

847.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  diffuse  nephritis.  Cardiac  hyper- 
trophy. Edema  of  lungs.  Ulcerative  laryngitis  and  pharyngitis.  Acute  splenic 
tumor.    Fatty  degeneration  of  liver.    Chronic  cystitis. 

848.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  interstitial  nephritis  of  severe  grade. 
Practically  no  other  changes.    Moderate  hypertrophy  of  left  ventricle. 

849.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Tuberculous  meningitis.  General  miliary  tu- 
berculosis.    Perforating  appendicitis.     General  purulent  peritonitis. 

850.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Lobar  pneumonia  of  right  upper,  middle,  and 
part  of  lower  lobe.  Congestion  and  chronic  tuberculosis  of  both  lungs.  Chronic 
adhesive  pleuritis  and  pericarditis.  Cloudy  swelling  of  liver  and  kidneys. 
Edema  of  pia. 

851.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Arteriosclerosis.  Cylindrical  aneurism  of 
aorta.  Chronic  myocarditis.  Double  hydrothorax.  Congestion,  edema,  and 
healed  tuberculosis  of  lungs.  Passive  congestion  of  liver,  spleen  and  intestine. 
Slight  chronic  diffuse  nephritis.     Meckel's  diverticulum. 

852.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  False  aneurism  of  aorta,  with  rupture  into 
left  pfeura.  Fusiform  and  dissecting  aneurisms  of  aorta.  Extreme  aortitis. 
Edema  and  congestion  of  lungs.  Subacute  serofibrinous  pleurisy.  Aortic 
insufficiency  and  cardiac  hypertrophy.  Passive  congestion  of  liver,  spleen 
and  kidneys. 

853.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Acute  vegetative  endocarditis,  involving  mi- 
tral, aortic  and  tricuspid  valves.  Free  thrombus  in  right  auricle.  Acute 
serofibrinous  pericarditis  and  pleurisy.  Mitral  insufficiency  and  dilatation  of 
right  auricle.  Edema  of  lungs.  Passive  congestion  of  heart,  liver,  spleen 
and  kidney. 

Bacterial  Diagnosis:  Smears  from  mitral  valve  and  from  pericardium 
show  Gram-positive  diplococci  resembling  pneumococci.  Cultures  show  similar 
organisms  in  mixed  culture. 

854.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Acute  ulcerative  colitis. 
Etiology  not  determined. 

855.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Chronic  pulmonary  tuberculosis.  Cavity  in 
right  lower  lobe.  Acute  mitral  endocarditis.  Acute  splenic  tumor.  Chronic 
hyperplasia  of  lymph  nodes.     (Death  occurred  after  diabetic  coma.) 

850.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  endocarditis,  with  ball  thrombus  in 
right  auricle.  Thrombosis  of  right  vertebral  artery,  with  softening  in  medulla. 
Infarct  of  spleen.     Chronic  passive  congestion  of  lungs  and  liver. 

857.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Microgyria,  with  secondary  external  and 
internal  hydrocephalus  ex  vacuo.    Bronchopneumonia. 


REPORT  OF  PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT         331 

858.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Cholelithiasis  of  common 
duct.  Bacillus  aerogenes  capsulatus  infection  of  sinus  and  liver,  and  septi- 
cemia following  cholecystectomy. 

859.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Bronchopneumonia.  Fibrinopurulent  pleu- 
ritis. 

860.  Anatomical  Diagnosis  :  Chronic  mitral  endocarditis.  Fatty  degenera- 
tion of  heart.  Tuberculosis  of  bronchial  nodes.  Fatty  degeneration  of  liver. 
Hydrosalpinx.     Cystic  ovaries.     Fibromyoma  of  uterus. 

861.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Chronic  fibrous  pleuritis.  Tuberculosis  of 
the  lungs.  Tuberculosis  of  bronchial  lymph  nodes.  Bronchopneumonia.  En- 
docarditis, acute  mitral.  Chronic  diffuse  nephritis.  Ulceration  (typhoid)  of 
ileum,  cecum  and  colon.  Hyperplasia  of  lymph  nodules  and  Peyer's  patches 
of  ileum.  Hyperplasia  of  mesenteric  nodes.  Congestion  and  hyperplasia  of 
spleen. 

862.  Anatomical  Diagnosis  :  Chronic  fibrous  pleurisy.  Healed  tuberculosis 
of  lungs.  Carcinoma  of  lesser  curvature  of  stomach,  with  perforation.  Metas- 
tases in  liver,  pancreas,  mesenteric  lymph  nodes  and  sigmoid,  involving  blad- 
der wall.     Acute  peritonitis.     Chronic  diffuse  nephritis. 

863.  Anatomical  Diagnosis  :  Acute  colitis.  ■  '• 

864.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:     Bronchopneumonia.    Acute  enteritis. 

865.  Partial  Autopsy :  Glioma,  with  softening,  of  floor  of  fourth  ventricle. 

866.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Acute  vegetative  endocarditis.  Bronchopneu- 
monia of  left  upper  lobe.  Cyst  of  brain  partially  replacing  lenticular  nucleus 
and  anterior  limb  of  internal  capsule  on  right  side.  Cloudy  swelling  of 
kidneys. 

867.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Acute  hemorrhagic  pancreatitis.  Acute  chole- 
dochitis.  Multiple  areas  of  old  necrosis  in  and  about  the  pancreas.  Fatty 
degeneration  of  the  liver.     Tuberculosis  of  the  liver. 

868.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Sarcoma  of  retroperitoneal  region,  with  me- 
tastases in  kidneys,  lymph  nodes,  and  subcutaneous  tissue.  Left  pyonephrosis. 
Atrophy  and  dilatation  of  heart.  Passive  congestion  of  spleen  and  liver.. 
Edema  of  lungs.  Anasarca  of  legs  and  hips,  due  to  blocking  of  inferior  vena 
cava  and  left  common  iliac  veins.  Chronic  cystitis.  Compensatory  hyperplasia 
of  bone  marrow. 

869.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  fibrous  pleurisy.  Lobar  pneumonia. 
Healed  pulmonary  tuberculosis.    Chronic  diffuse  nephritis. 

870.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Umbilical  hernia.  Umbilical  fistula.  Ascites. 
Acute  peritonitis.  Cirrhosis  of  liver.  Chronic  passive  congestion  of  spleen. 
Chronic  diffuse  nephritis.     Chronic  endocarditis.     Aortic  stenosis. 

871.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Acute  ulcerative  endocarditis  of  the  aortic 
and  mitral  valves.  Cardiac  hypertrophy  and  dilatation.  Hydropericardium. 
Double  hydrothorax  and  ascites.  Edema  and  chronic  tuberculosis  of  lungs. 
Infarct  of  spleen.  Parenchymatous  degeneration  of  left  kidney.  Chronic  pas- 
sive congestion  and  hemangioma  of  liver.     Chronic  seminovesiculitis. 

872.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Hyperplasia  and  ulceration 
of  Peyer's  patches  and  lymph  follicles  of  ileum,  cecum  and  colon  (typhoid). 
Perforation  of  ileum.     Hyperplasia  of  mesenteric  nodes.     General  peritonitis. 

873.  Case  of  man  45  years  of  age,  who  had  been  troubled  for  nine  months 


332  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

previous  to  entering  hospital  with  difficulty  in  swallowing,  and  pain  in  chest, 
of  indefinite  localization.  He  had  lost  nine  pounds  in  two  months.  Three  weeks 
after  entrance,  the  patient  vomited  three  ounces  of  blood,  grew  gradually 
weaker,  and  died  in  five  hours.  At  autopsy,  a  tumor  was  found  projecting 
into  the  esophagus  from  its  anterior  wall,  about  1  cm.  above  the  level  of  the 
bifurcation  of  the  trachea,  the  lumen  thus  being  narrowed  so  as  just  to  admit 
the  passage  of  the  index  finger.  From  this  point  to  about  1  cm.  above  the 
cardiac  orifice  of  the  stomach,  the  entire  mucosa  and  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  walls  of  the  esophagus  were  destroyed,  a  large  cavity  being  formed  in 
the  posterior  mediastinum,  bounded  by  soft  necrotic  tissue.  At  the  level  of 
the  fourth  intercostal  artery  the  wall  of  the  aorta,  over  an  area  about  2  cm. 
in  diameter,  was  destroyed  nearly  to  the  intima.  The  fourth  right  intercostal 
artery  was  torn  from  the  aorta,  and  its  point  of  exit  marked  by  a  small 
perforation  about  2  mm.  in  diameter,  leading  directly  into  the  esophagus.  The 
stomach  contained  one  liter  of  clotted  blood.  There  were  metastases  in  the 
pancreas  and  liver.  Microscopical  examination  showed  the  tumor  to  be  an 
epithelioma. 

874.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Double  hydrothorax.  Pericarditis.  Cardiac 
hypertrophy.  Chronic  endocarditis.  Mural  thrombus  in  right  auricle.  Rup- 
ture of  chordae  of  anterior  cusp  of  mitral  valve.  Infarction  of  both  lungs. 
Chronic  adhesive  peritonitis.    Chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver  and  spleen. 

875.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Double  hydrothorax.  Acute  and  chronic  en- 
docarditis. Aortic  stenosis  and  insufficiency.  Cardiac  hypertrophy.  Chronic 
diffuse  nephritis.     Sclerosis  of  coronaries  and  aorta. 

876.  Anatomical  Diagnosis  :  Chronic  ulcerative  colitis.  Chronic  parenchy- 
matous nephritis.  Left  bronchopneumonia.  Miliary  abscesses  of  both  lungs. 
Subacute  cholecystitis.    Multiple  ulcers  of  skin. 

877.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Operative  skull  defect. 
Local  meningitis.  New  growth  of  cerebellum  and  cyst  communicating  with 
aqueduct  of  Sylvius.  Compression  of  fourth  ventricle.  Internal  hydro- 
cephalus. 

878.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Tuberculosis  of  lungs.  Chronic  adhesive 
pleurisy.  Miliary  tuberculosis  of  liver  and  spleen.  Chronic  diffuse  nephritis. 
Thrombosis  of  right  femoral  vein.    Arteriosclerosis. 

879.  Case  of  a  woman  23  years  of  age,  entering  hospital  in  moribund 
condition.  No  history  was  obtained,  except  that  she  had  had  a  headache  and 
backache  for  eight  days,  with  temperature  varying  from  101°  to  103°.  She  is 
said  to  have  coughed  considerably  for  some  time,  the  expectoration  being  at 
times  bloody,  but  never  to  have  had  heart  trouble  until  three  weeks  before, 
when  she  began  to  complain  of  shortness  of  breath.  The  autopsy  findings 
were  interesting  on  account  of  the  extreme  grade  of  congenital  pulmonary 
stenosis,  the  orifice,  2.7  cm.  in  circumference,  barely  admitting  the  tip  of  the 
little  finger.  The  right  auricle  and  ventricle  were  greatly  hypertrophied,  the 
right  ventricular  wall  measuring  2.3  cm.  in  thickness.  The  left  auricle  and 
ventricle  were  both  small.  The  left  ventricular  wall  measured  1.5  cm.  Neither 
the  foramen  ovale  nor  the  ductus  arteriosus  were  patent.  There  were  three 
small,  apparently  recent,  vegetations  on  one  cusp  of  the  pulmonary  valve. 
The  lungs  showed  healed  tuberculous  lesions  and  two  areas  of  infarction  in 


REPORT  OF  PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT         333 

the  right  lower  lobe  and  one  in  the  left.     The  liver  and  spleen  showed  the 
effects  of  chronic  passive  congestion. 

880.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  endocarditis.  Mitral  stenosis.  Car- 
diac hypertrophy  and  dilatation.  Edema,  ascites  and  double  hydrothorax. 
Chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver,  spleen  and  kidneys. 

881.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Tuberculous  enteritis  and 
localized  peritonitis.  Amyloid  degeneration  of  spleen.  Chronic  parenchyma- 
tous degeneration  of  spleen.     Passive  congestion  of  liver. 

882.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Carcinoma  of  stomach.  Metastases  in  liver, 
spleen,  retroperitoneal  and  posterior  mediastinal  lymph  nodes.  Mural  throm- 
bus of  left  ventricle.  Septic  thrombus  of  right  pulmonary  artery,  with  septic 
infarct  of  lung  and  acute  fibrinopurulent  pleurisy.  Left  hydrothorax.  Edema 
of  lungs.     Chronic  diffuse  nephritis. 

883.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Edema  of  legs.  Right  hydrothorax.  Chronic 
adhesive  pleurisy.  Chronic  adhesive  pericarditis.  Gumma  of  heart  wall.  Car- 
diac hypertrophy.  Aneurism  of  aorta,  ascending  and  transverse  portion.  Arte- 
riosclerosis. Edema  of  lungs.  Gummata  of  liver.  Atrophy  of  left  lobe  of 
liver.    Gall  stones.    Chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver,  spleen  and  kidneys. 

884.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Carcinoma  of  the  bronchi, 
with  metastases  in  pleura,  liver,  kidney  and  peritoneum. 

885.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Double  hydrothorax.  Acute  pericarditis.  Car- 
diac hypertrophy.  Edema  of  lungs.  Chronic  passive  congestion  of  liver  and 
spleen.     Chronic  interstitial  nephritis.     Colitis. 

886.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Chronic  diffuse  nephritis.  Hypertrophy  of 
the  heart.  Arteriosclerosis.  Right  bronchopneumonia.  Petechial  hemorrhages 
in  intestines. 

887.  Anatomical  Diagnosis:  Chronic  adhesive  pleurisy.  Edema  of  lungs. 
Ulcerative  colitis.     Ethmoiditis. 

888.  Anatomical  Diagnosis.  Lobar  pneumonia  of  right  lower  and  middle 
lobes  and  left  lower  lobe.  Double  fibrinopurulent  pleurisy.  Cloudy  swelling 
of  kidneys. 

889.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Infected  wound  of  wrist.  Acute  axillary 
adenitis.  Bronchopneumonia.  Infarction  of  spleen.  General  lymphatic  hyper- 
plasia. Cloudy  swelling  of  kidneys.  Smears  from  axillary  nodes  show  Gram- 
positive  cocci  in  chains.    Similar  organism  in  lung. 

890.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Chronic  adhesive  pleurisy.  Peritonitis.  Fatty 
degeneration  of  liver.     Acute  hemorrhagic  pancreatitis. 

891.  Partial  Autopsy.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Carcinoma  of  breast.  Me- 
tastatic carcinoma  of  ribs,  left  femur  (with  fracture  of  femur),  and  spleen. 

892.  Anatomical  Diagnosis :  Lobar  pneumonia  of  right  upper  lobe.  Acute 
fibrinous  pleurisy.    Healed  pulmonary  tuberculosis. 


DIVISION  OF  BACTERIOLOGY. 

The  routine  bacteriological  examinations  made  during  the  year  may 
be  classified  as  follows: 


334  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

Blood  Cultures: 

Typhoid  bacillus 28 

Streptococcus 11 

Staphylococcus 4 

Pneumococcus 4 

Negative 129 

Total 176 

Urine  Cultures : 

Colon  bacillus 27 

Typhoid  bacillus 2 

Staphylococcus 3 

Streptococcus 2 

Mixed  cultures 8 

Negative 38 

Total 80 

Throat  Cultures  for  diphtheria  bacillus : 

Positive 104 

Negative 233 

Total 337 

Miscellaneous  Cultures 189 

Smears  examined  for  tubercle  bacillus: 

Sputum Positive 158 

Negative 479 

637 

Urine Positive 2 

Negative 40 

42 

Chest  and  abdominal  fluids.  .Positive 1 

Negative 5 

6 

Spinal  fluid Positive 10 

Negative 24 

34 

Stools Positive 2 

Negative 2 

4 

723 

Guinea-pigs  inoculated  for  tubercle  bacillus.  .Positive 9 

Negative 45 

54 


REPORT  OF  PATHOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT  335 

Guinea-pigs  inoculated  for  diphtheria  bacillus 23 

Mice  inoculated 28 

Vaginal  smears  examined  for  gonococeus 481 

Urethral  smears  examined  for  gonococeus 60 

Miscellaneous  smears  examined 197 

The  only  serological  examinations  which  have  been  made  in  any 
number  are  the  Wassermann  and  Widal  reactions : 

Wassermann   reaction 597 

Widal  reaction 312 

DIVISION  OF  CLINICAL  PATHOLOGY. 

The  following  routine  specimens  were  examined  during  the  year : 

Abdominal  fluids 26 

Blood :     Estimation  of  coagulation  time IS 

"           "    hemoglobin 898 

"           "   red  cells 582 

"           "    white  cells 3,780 

Examination  for  malarial  parasites 77 

"    filaria 5 

"                "     trichinellae 2 

Chest  fluids 94 

Duodenal  contents 4 

Gastric  contents 254 

Glyco-tryptophan  tests 4 

Spinal  fluids :     Total  and  differential  counts 31 

Butyric  acid  tests 6 

Stools 381 

Urines 23,780. 


Roentgen  Ray  Laboratory 


DER 


dby 
dark 
aent, 
died, 
the 


PLANS  OF  THE  ROENTGEN  RAY  LABORATORY,  UNDER 

CONSTRUCTION  ON  THE  THIRD  FLOOR  OF  THE 

TRAVERS  PAVILION,  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL. 

Leon  Theodobe  Le  Wald,  M.D. 

Protection  for  the  patients  and  the  operators  has  been  secured  by 
the  use  of  X-Ray-proof  partitions  and  steel  doors.  Access  to  the  dark 
room  will  be  through  a  labyrinth,  and  a  method  of  tank-development, 
which  will  accommodate  the  largest  sized  plates,  will  be  installed. 
Room  for  expansion  of  the  laboratory  has  been  reserved  on  the 
same  floor. 

The  plans  appear  on  the  two  succeeding  pages  of  this  report. 


339 


REPORT  OF  A  CASE  OF  DILATATION  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

MEDICAL  TREATMENT.  RECOVERY  RECORDED 

BY  MEANS  OF  THE  X-RAY. 

Leon  Theodore  LeWald,  M.D. 

The  following  ease  appears  to  be  worth  reporting  on  account  of  the 
striking  result  of  treatment,  and  the  graphic  record  of  this  result  as 
shown  by  the  X-Ray  examination. 

Miss  A.  0.,  aged  21,  a  telephone  operator  by  occupation,  was 
admitted  to  the  service  of  Dr.  Austin  W.  Hollis  on  February  24,  1912, 
suffering  from  "chronic  stomach  trouble."  Her  family  history  was 
negative.  She  had  had  the  usual  diseases  of  childhood,  and  at  the 
age  of  seven  she  first  showed  symptoms  relevant  to  her  trouble  on 
admission.  At  that  time  she  had  been  seized,  while  playing,  with  an 
attack  of  vomiting.  There  was  no  nausea,  either  before  or  after  the 
attack,  and  the  patient  went  on  playing  entirely  undisturbed.  For 
three  months  thereafter,  each  meal  was  followed  immediately  by  an 
attack  of  vomiting,  which  was  sometimes  projectile  in  character,  some- 
times not.  Occasionally  the  patient  was  nauseated.  The  stomach  was 
not  emptied  at  once,  but  the  vomiting  would  continue  at  intervals  for 
as  much  as  five  hours  after  each  meal,  being  increased  by  any  exertion 
and  allayed  by  keeping  quiet.  A  cramplike  pain  in  the  epigastrium 
with  soreness  and  tenderness  in  this  region  accompanied  the  vomiting. 

At  first  these  attacks  had  occurred  at  intervals  of  four  or  five 
months,  and  lasted  from  two  to  three  months,  the  patient's  skin  being 
dry  and  yellow  and  her  bowels  constipated  throughout  the  period  of 
disturbance.  Recently  the  attacks  had  been  more  frequent,  occurring 
every  two  or  three  months,  with  especial  severity  in  spring  and  fall. 

The  attack  which  occasioned  the  patient's  entrance  to  St.  Luke's 
began  two  weeks  previous  to  admission  with  severe  and  unremitting 
headache  in  the  right  occipital  region.  A  week  before  admission 
vomiting  recommenced,  accompanied  by  nausea.  Six  months  previous 
to  this  admission  the  patient  had  been  operated  on  at  St.  Luke's  for 
appendicitis.  The  physical  examination  made  on  her  present  entrance 
was  negative,  except  for  a  slight  general  tenderness  of  the  abdomen 
on  deep  pressure. 

The  X-Ray  examination  made  on  March  4, 1912,  showed  the  stomach 
dilated  and  the  greater  curvature  4%  inches  below  the  umbilicus.  The 
stomach  was  not  empty  in  6  hours.    The  colon  was  sluggish. 

The  course  of  treatment  consisted  mainly  of  rest  in  bed,  with  daily 
lavage  and  a  restricted  diet,  chiefly  protein.     On  March  27th,  one 

340 


X-RAY  OF  DILATED  STOMACH  341 

month  after  admission,  the  patient  had  apparently  regained  her  health, 
and  could  now  eat  without  nausea  or  discomfort.  The  second  X-Ray 
examination,  made  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  condition  of  the 
stomach  after  treatment,  shows  in  a  very  striking  manner  that  the 
stomach  has  regained  its  tone.  The  dilatation  has  disappeared;  the 
greater  curvature  has  retracted  so  that  it  is  only  one  inch  below  the 
umbilicus  in  contrast  to  the  four  and  a  half  inches  shown  before  treat- 
ment. The  size  and  position  are  within  normal  limits,  so  that  a  very 
good  prognosis  can  be  offered  as  to  continued  good  health  if  ordinary 
care  is  exercised.  A  further  examination  shows  that  the  stomach 
empties  itself  in  normal  time.  The  tone  of  the  colon  has  also  improved, 
so  that  the  tendency  to  constipation  has  been  relieved. 


Out- Patient  Department 


PRACTICAL   NOTES   FROM  THE   SURGICAL  DIVISION   OP 
THE  OUT-PATIENT  DEPARTMENT. 

William  S.  Thomas,  M.D. 

The  intention  of  this  paper  is  to  present  a  number  of  procedures 
in  frequent  use  in  the  Surgical  Division  of  the  0.  P.  D.,  with  com- 
ments upon  the  result  of  experience  with  them. 

The  subjects  considered  will  be  as  follows : 

1.  Nitrous  oxide  anesthesia. 

2.  Use  of  picric  acid  in  burns. 

3.  Removal  of  foreign  bodies  from  the  tissues. 

4.  Use  of  scarlet  red  on  ulcers. 

5.  Open  treatment  of  fractures. 

6.  Mode  of  demonstrating  lesion  of  anal  region. 

7.  Rigid  supporters  for  varicosities. 

8.  Enucleation  of  tonsils. 

9.  Spring  retractors. 

1.  Nitrous  Oxide  Anesthesia. — Nitrous  oxide  gas,  with  oyxgen, 
in  the  past  3  years  has  been  coming  into  very  frequent  use  in  our 
minor  surgical  work.  It  has  so  far  supplanted  ether  and  chloroform 
that,  without  statistics  before  me,  I  feel  safe  in  saying  that  where 
one  of  the  latter  was  administered  10  times  3  or  4  years  ago,  it 
is  not  used  more  than  once  now.  Nitrous  oxide  gas  has  proved  es- 
pecially useful  in  the  diagnosis  of  treatment  of  b6ne  fractures  and  its 
use  permits  careful  and  painless  manual  examination  in  almost  every 
case.  It  seems  as  though  patients  were  entitled  to  its  benefit.  It  is 
contraindicated  or  ineffectual  in  the  cases  of  very  young  patients,  pa- 
tients with  severe  organic  cardio-vascular  diseases,  and  alcoholics. 

In  the  case  of  alcoholism,  rather  than  struggle  to  anestheticize  a 
patient  with  gas  or  ether  alone,  it  is  frequently  found  quite  feasible 
to  attain  relaxation  and  insensibility  if  the  gas  is  preceded  by  a  hypo- 
dermic of  morphine.  The  particular  advantage  of  this  short  an- 
esthesia and  rapid  awakening  without  nausea  or  sickness  in  the  case 
of  ambulatory  patients  is  obvious. 

345 


346  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

2.  Use  op  Picric  Acid  in  Burns. — The  use  of  this  acid  in  super- 
ficial burns  was  begun  in  the  surgical  clinic  in  1907,  and  has  proven 
to  be  a  distinct  advance  over  old  procedures.  At  first,  used  as  an 
ointment,  later  in  hypersaturated  solutions,  it  was  found  to  have  a 
poisonous  effect  if  used  on  large  surfaces.  Its  best  manner  of  use 
seems  to  be  as  a  wet  dressing  in  watery  solutions  of  one-half  of  1 
per  cent.  In  burns  of  the  first  and  second  degree,  pain  is  relieved, 
the  serous  effusion  ceases  and  the  growth  of  epithelium  is  enhanced. 
The  principal  disadvantage  of  the  remedy  is  its  ability  to  stain  every- 
thing yellow  with  which  it  comes  in  contact. 

3.  Foreign  Bodies. — Bits  of  steel,  fragments  of  glass,  wooden 
splinters,  but  especially  fragments  of  sewing-needles,  lost  under  the 
skin,  are  very  common  in  any  minor  surgical  clinic,  and  frequently 
prove  to  be  difficult  of  removal.  After  free  incision,  and  guided  by  a 
skiagram  made  immediately  before,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  most 
important  aid  in  discovering  these  lost  fragments  is  the  sense  of 
touch.  In  the  case  of  metallic  foreign  bodies  material  assistance  has 
been  afforded  in  our  clinic  by  the  telephonic  searcher  described  in 
the  bulletin  of  last  year,  which  is  in  steady  use,  and  is  made  by 
Wappler.  When  a  metallic  foreign  body  is  located  in  a  finger  or  toe 
or  in  the  webs  between  them,  its  shadow  may  often  be  seen  in  the 
dark  room  by  transillumination  with  a  small  electric  light  shielded 
on  all  sides  but  one,  as  is  used  for  the  illumination  of  the  accessory 
sinuses  of  the  nose.  Elsewhere,  these  lights  are  of  no  use.  When 
used  to  demonstrate  a  foreign  body  in  a  finger  or  toe  the  light  must 
be  applied  to  that  side  farthermost  from  the  foreign  body.  In  other 
words,  the  foreign  body  must  lie  nearest  to  the  skin  next  the  observer's 
eye  or  it  cannot  be  seen. 

4.  Scarlet  Red. — The  extended  use  of  this  dye  as  a  dressing  for 
granulating  surfaces  has  demonstrated  that  it  has  a  field  of  usefulness. 
In  our  experience,  corroborated  by  control  experiments,  it  has  been 
shown  to  hasten  the  growth  of  epithelium  upon  healthy  surfaces.  In 
the  case  of  varicose,  or  infected  ulcers,  where  there  is  no  previous 
tendency  to  heal,  scarlet  red  alone  is  worse  than  useless.  It  seems 
to  have  no  antiseptic  power. 

5.  Open  Treatment  of  Fracture. — Continued  use  of  the  metallic 
plate  in  selected  cases  of  fracture  confirms  the  good  opinion  of  this 
surgical  procedure.  It  is  seldom  necessary,  however,  and  the  indi- 
cations for  the  method  seem  to  be  clearly  the  following :  Impossibility 
of  fairly  good  reduction  of  deformity,  rotation  deformity  of  radius, 


SURGICAL  NOTES  FROM  THE  O.  P.  D.  347 

mal-union  and  persistent  non-union.  Careful  asepsis  and  avoidance 
of  traumatism,  when  operating,  are  necessary.  Lane's  steel  plates 
require  a  considerable  outlay  for  a  full  set  and  cannot  always  be  ob- 
tained. Sheet  aluminium  is  cheap,  and  may  be  easily  obtained  at 
wholesale  hardware  stores  and  fashioned  into  the  proper  form  for 
internal  splints  in  a  few  minutes,  to  suit  the  exigencies  of  each  case. 
The  writer  described  the  use  of  such  plates  in  the  Bulletin  of  2  years 
ago.  In  an  experience  of  3  years  with  the  use  of  aluminium  plates, 
no  serious  cases  of  infection  have  been  encountered.  In  2  patients 
there  was  enough  infection  to  make  it  necessary  to  remove  the  plates 
in  order  to  cure  a  sinus,  but  in  both  of  these  cases  the  ultimate  result 
of  the  operation  was  perfectly  good. 

6.  Mode  of  Demonstrating  Lesion  of  Anal  Region. — Ever  since 
suction  cups  have  been  used  as  recommended  by  Bier  in  his  hyper- 
emia treatment,  we  have  turned  this  method  of  producing  a  partial 
vacuum  to  use  in  certain  rectal  conditions.  With  the  patient  in  a 
lithotomy  position,  a  suction  cup  of  a  diameter  of  1%  to  2y2  inches, 
and  properly  curved,  is  applied  over  the  anus  and  the  air  exhausted. 
Any  external  hemorrhoidal  conditions  will  be  exaggerated  and  plainly 
visible  where  they  might  otherwise  be  obscured  by  horizontal  posture 
of  the  patient.  In  the  case  of  internal  hemorrhoid  or  a  fissure  or  of 
a  lesion  within  the  first  inch  of  the  rectum,  suction  with  a  cup  will 
evert  the  rectal  mucous  membrane  in  such  a  manner  that  hemor- 
rhoids will  stand  out  more  distinctly  and  the  mucous  membrane  of 
the  whole  circumference  of  the  bowel  will  be  brought  into  view. 

7.  Rigid  Supporters  for  Varicosities. — The  day  of  the  elastic  sup- 
porter for  slack  abdominal  walls  and  misplaced  viscera  is  past,  or 
ought  to  be.  In  like  manner  the  elastic  stocking  for  the  support  of 
the  leg  has  at  last  found  a  rival  in  rigid  appliances.  A  writer  in  the 
New  York  State  Medical  Journal  has  recommended  the  use  of  adhesive 
strapping  of  the  whole  leg  in  cases  of  varicose  ulcer;  and  Dr.  John 
B.  Murphy,  of  Chicago,  in  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation of  March  27,  1909,  recommended  the  use  of  inelastic  leggings 
in  varicose  ulcers.  A  mode  of  procedure  in  use  in  the  Medical  Di- 
vision of  the  0.  P.  D.  was  to  treat  varicose  leg  ulcers  by  adhesive 
strapping  from  the  toes  to  the  knee,  omitting  the  sole,  and  after  the 
ulcer  is  cured  to  have  made  a  muslin  corset  for  the  leg  to  prevent  re- 
currence. The  strapping  is  of  strips  about  one-half  inch  wide,  ap- 
plied obliquely  in  two  directions  and  crossing  each  other  so  as  to 
leave  openings  of  regular  intervals,  like  a  checker-board.     This  strap- 


348  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

ping  is  left  on  about  a  week,  with  a  pad  of  gauze  over  the  ulcer  and 
the  usual  bandage  over  the  whole,  changed  as  frequently  as  neces- 
sary. The  method  is  not  applied  when  there  is  a  phlebitis,  or  where 
the  skin  is  much  macerated  or  eczematous,  or  where  the  ulcer  is  be- 
hind or  below  the  ankle.  The  method  seems  to  have  given  most  en- 
couraging results  in  these  cases,  which  have  long  been  considered  the 
bane  of  every  minor  surgical  clinic. 

8.  Enucleation  of  Tonsils. — For  the  past  4  years  it  has  been 
our  practice  to  enucleate  the  tonsils  in  practically  every  case  oper- 
ated upon.  Only  in  cases  where  the  tonsil  projects  far  into  the 
pharynx  and  is  not  covered  by  the  interior  pillar  of  the  fauces  has  the 
guillotine  been  used  without  a  preliminary  dissection  of  the  tonsil 
from  its  bed.  The  procedure  ordinarily  employed  requires  complete 
anesthesia,  but  is  very  simple.  In  children,  where  the  tonsil  has  not 
been  the  seat  of  a  fibroid  degeneration,  to  make  it  abnormally  ad- 
herent to  its  surroundings,  a  short  incision  is  made  along  the  most 
prominent  portion  of  the  edge  of  the  interior  pillar.  The  finger  is 
worked  into  this  incision  with  its  palmar  surface  toward  the  tonsil, 
and  the  latter  is  shelled  out  of  its  bed  by  blunt  dissection  from  all 
its  attachments  except  along  its  posterior  aspect.  At  this  point  the 
tonsil  is  grasped  with  the  sponge  forceps  or  other  convenient  instru- 
ment, and  the  pedicle  is  snipped  with  a  pair  of  curved  scissors  or 
possibly  with  a  tonsillotime.  This  method  is  chosen  rather  than  sharp 
dissection  on  account  of  the  fact  that  less  hemorrhage  follows  and  be- 
cause there  is  less  danger  of  cutting  what  is  not  desired  to  be  cut. 
Routine  questioning  of  patients  in  respect  to  possible  hemophilia  is 
insisted  upon.  In  the  case  of  weak,  anaemic  children,  calcium  salts  are 
administered  some  days  prior  to  the  operation,  in  the  hope  of  lessening 
hemorrhage. 

9.  Spring  Retractors. — The  German  silver  wire  self-holding  re- 
tractors described  in  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Association, 
in  April,  1903,  have  been  found  to  be  of  use  in  our  operating  room, 
where  the  desired  number  of  assistants  are  not  always  available. 


' 


POSSIBLE  CAUSES  OF  FAILURE  FOLLOWING  THE  USE  OF 
BACTERIAL  VACCINES  AND  ANTISERA.* 

H.  E.  Plummer,  M.D. 

"The  most  mischievous  ignorance  is  that  of  the  critic."  So  many 
unjust  criticisms  are  heard  relative  to  the  value  of  bacterial  vaccines 
and  antiserum  in  the  treatment  of  infections,  that  the  above  quotation 
of  Voltaire  seems  scarcely  out  of  place.  Some  reports  indicate  such 
successful  results  and  others  such  absolute  failures  in  similar  cases 
that  they  stimulate  us  to  inquire  into  the  reasons  for  such  diversity 
of  conclusions.  May  not  these  failures  be  in  part  due  to  faulty  dosage, 
to  incorrect  intervals  elapsing  between  the  doses,  to  a  wrong  apprecia- 
tion of  the  benefits  to  be  expected  from  the  use  of  a  bacterial  vaccine  or 
antiserum,  and  to  a  faulty  selection  of  the  remedy  to  be  used?  Let 
us  first  study  briefly  the  qualities  of  a  bacterial  vaccine  and  of  an 
antiserum  and  the  theories  upon  which  their  use  is  based. 

Antisera  are  obtained  from  some  bacteria  that  do  not  produce  ex- 
tracellular toxins  in  sufficient  quantities :  as,  for  example,  the  strepto- 
coccus and  the  gonococcus.  The  germs  themselves  are  injected  into 
the  animal,  first  in  minute  doses  of  greatly  attenuated  cultures,  then 
in  gradually  increasing  doses  until  such  a  resistance  exists  in  the  ani- 
mal that  large  amounts  are  tolerated.  These  antisera  may  be  said  to 
possess  antibacterial  power.  The  fact  that  antisera  are  elaborated  in 
the  horse  distinguishes  them  from  bacterial  vaccines  which  are  simply 
suspensions  of  killed  bacteria  in  physiological  salt  solution.  From 
this  it  may  be  seen  that  when  antisera  are  used  the  patient  is  inocu- 
lated with  the  protective  substances  produced  by  an  animal,  whereas 
when  bacterial  vaccines  are  injected  the  patient  must  produce  his  own 
protective  bodies. 

Wright  and  others  have  demonstrated  the  fact  that  there  are  sub- 

*Read  before  the  West  Side  Clinical  Society. 

Note. — The  vaccines  used  in  the  preparation  of  this  article  were  kindly 
furnished  by  the  Department  of  Experimental  Medicine  of  Parke,  Davis 
&  Co. 

349 


\ 


350  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

stances  in  the  blood  stream  that  assist,  or  are  necessary  to  aid  the 
phagocytes  in  their  successful  warfare  against  invading  bacteria.  If, 
however,  Nature's  laboratory  is  unable  to  completely  overwhelm  them 
at  once,  the  destruction  of  a  portion  of  the  invading  host  will  produce 
a  strengthening  of  the  defending  force.  This  is  known  as  autoin- 
oculation  and  is  best  illustrated  in  the  pneumonic  crisis.  In  some  in- 
fections the  protection  afforded  is  lasting,  as  in  smallpox  and  in  yellow 
fever,  while  in  others,  as  in  tuberculosis,  the  protection  is  transient. 
When  Nature  is  able  to  cope  with  the  infecting  bacteria,  self-immun- 
ization is  likely  to  take  place.  This  is  due  to  the  death  of  a  certain 
number  of  the  organisms  and  their  immediate  effects  as  immunizing 
agents.  The  artificial  introduction  of  a  suitable  number  of  dead 
microorganisms,  i.e.,  the  injection  of  a  bacterial  vaccine,  may  turn  the 
scale  and  produce  the  reinforcement  necessary  to  Nature,  which  at  the 
moment  is  so  urgent.  As  a  result  of  the  injection  of  these  bacterial 
products  such  indefinite  substances  as  bacteriolysins,  precipitins,  ag- 
glutinins, and  opsonins  are  produced.  The  latter,  which  are  measur- 
able, act  on  the  bacteria  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  them  more  vulner- 
able to  the  attacks  of  the  phagocytes.  The  phenomena  accompanying 
spontaneous  recovery  from  an  infectious  disease,  and  which  for  a  time 
at  least  prevents  a  new  attack,  we  term  natural  acquired  active  im- 
munity. That  produced  by  the  injection  into  the  tissues  of  small 
quantities  of  living  or  killed  microorganisms  or  of  toxins  produced 
by  these  organisms  we  call  acquired  active  immunity.  "In  passive 
acquired  immunity,  on  the  other  hand,  the  patient  does  little  or  noth- 
ing toward  obtaining  this  immunity.  The  toxins,  which  characterize 
the  disease,  are  simply  neutralized  or  rendered  inert  by  the  injection 
into  the  individual  of  protective  substances,  which  have  developed  in 
the  serum  of  another  animal,  as  the  result  of  active  immunization. 
This  form  of  immunity  is  a  temporary  expedient,  which  simply  serves 
to  hold  the  disease  processes  in  check  sufficiently  long  to  permit  Na- 
ture to  manufacture  and  bring  into  play  such  protective  and  bac- 
tericidal substances  as  will  rid  the  individual  of  the  offending  bacteria 
and  their  toxins." 

The  opsonic  index  is  the  comparative  phagocytosis  of  the  patient's 
serum  to  a  normal  pool  serum.  The  technique  is  complicated  and  the 
slightest  inaccuracy  produces  decidedly  varied  results.  The  index 
has  proven  of  great  value  in  indicating  the  proper  dosage,  frequency 
of  injection,  and  results  obtained.  It  has  been  found  that  the  care- 
ful observation  of  the  clinical  symptoms  acts  as  a  sufficient  guide  to 


FAILURES  FOLLOWING  USE  OF  VACCINES  351 

the  treatment  by  bacterial  vaccines  in  the  more  common  infections. 
By  determination  of  the  opsonic  index,  "Wright  has  demonstrated  that 
following  the  injection  of  vaccines,  there  is  first  a  drop  in  the  opsonic 
index  and  later  a  rise.  This  drop  he  calls  the  negative  phase  and  the 
rise  the  positive  phase.  The  use  of  bacterial  vaccines  in  infections  is 
clearly  defined.  It  is  useless  to  suppose  that  every  case  of  infection 
is  a  suitable  one  for  this  treatment.  The  question  is  of  necessity 
whether  the  patient  is  capable  of  producing  antibodies  to  the  in- 
fecting agent  or  whether  they  should  be  introduced  from  without,  i.e., 
from  an  animal  already  immunized  to  the  infecting  agent. 

A  case  occurs  to  me  of  a  patient  infected  by  an  attenuated  strain 
of  streptococcus  which  ran  a  chronic  course.  A  culture  was  obtained 
and  an  autogenous  vaccine  prepared  and  administered  at  intervals. 
The  patient  continued  to  grow  worse  and  ultimately  died.  This  pa- 
tient was  already  so  surfeited  with  streptococci  that  the  introduction 
of  a  few  million  more  dead  germs  seemed  scarcely  the  rational  treat- 
ment for  such  a  condition.  Had  such  a  patient  the  power  to  produce 
his  own  antibodies,  it  would  appear  rational  that  he  would  have  pro- 
duced them  with  the  many  streptococci  swarming  in  his  system,  with- 
out the  introduction  of  more.  Thus  antistreptococcic  serum  should 
have  been  first  used  to  modify  the  infection.  Therefore,  in  general 
septicemias  the  serums  are  indicated;  whereas  in  localized  or  semi- 
localized  conditions  the  bacterial  vaccines  are  to  be  preferred. 

In  reviewing  the  important  subject  of  dosage  we  find  a  great  va- 
riety of  opinions.  There  are,  on  the  one  hand,  the  advocates  of  small 
doses  and,  on  the  other,  those  of  large  doses,  but  no  set  rule  can  be 
laid  down  for  the  administration  of  bacterial  vaccines.  The  guiding 
factor  in  these  cases  must  be  more  or  less  the  resistance  of  the  in- 
dividual to  the  infecting  organism  and  therefore  the  ability  of  the 
tissues  of  the  patient  to  produce  antibodies.  Overdosage  has  been  a 
not  infrequent  cause  of  absolute  failure.  It  has  often  been  noted 
that  the  administration  of  400,000,000  staphylococci  in  cases  of  furun- 
culosis  has  produced  an  increased  number  of  pustules  or  furuncles  in- 
stead of  benefiting  the  condition.  In  other  words,  there  has  been  a 
production  of  a  prolonged  or  more  severe  so-called  negative  phase, 
thereby  allowing  the  invading  bacteria  to  obtain  the  mastery  over 
the  protecting  forces  of  the  blood  stream.  During  the  aggravated  or 
very  violent  stage  of  the  infection  one  should  not  administer  a  vac- 
cine, as  the  activity  of  the  infecting  agent  itself  may  be  producing  a 
negative  phase. 


352  ST.  LUKE'S  HOSPITAL  REPORTS 

No  definite  time  can  be  positively  made  as  to  the  proper  interval 
for  reinoculation,  but  in  every  case  sufficient  time  should  elapse  be- 
tween injections  to  allow  the  formation  of  the  high  wave  of  the  positive 
phase.  In  scarcely  any  instance  should  the  interval  between  the  ad- 
ministrations be  less  than  3  days  or  in  very  rare  instances  more  than 
7  days,  the  average  time  being  about  4  to  5  days.  An  instance  has 
occurred  to  me  in  which  bacterial  vaccines  were  administered  in  maxi- 
mum doses  daily  and  it  was  noted  that  the  patient  was  gradually 
becoming  worse.  The  treatment  was  therefore  discontinued,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  second  day  most  marked  improvement  was  observed 
in  the  condition  of  the  infection.  The  lack  of  improvement  was  un- 
doubtedly due  to  the  fact  that  the  patient  was  kept  in  a  constant 
state  of  negative  phase. 

Freeman,  working  in  Wright's  laboratory,  noted  the  occurrence 
of  autoinoculation  following  the  manipulation  and  massage  of  af- 
fected joints  in  gonorrheal  arthritis.  Therefore,  in  the  handling  of 
localized  infections  one  must  always  bear  this  fact  in  mind;  that 
following  any  form  of  treatment,  be  it  massage,  X-ray,  electric,  radiant 
heat  application  or  Bier's  hyperemia,  observations  have  shown  the 
regular  sequence  of  positive  and  negative  phase  and  phase  of  in- 
creased resistance,  identical  with  that  produced  by  an  ordinary  vac- 
cine prepared  from  the  invading  organism.  Therefore,  when  treating 
a  patient  with  bacterial  vaccines  care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  over- 
manipulation  of  the  infected  area,  as  this  may  result  in  self -inoculation 
which  would  be  equivalent  to  an  overdose  of  bacterial  vaccine. 

On  the  other  hand,  knowing  as  we  do  that  the  opsonins  render  the 
bacteria  vulnerable  to  the  phagocytes,  it  is  very  important  to  the 
success  of  the  treatment  that  the  lymph  be  made  to  flow  through  the 
infected  tissues.  In  cases  of  infection,  English  authorities  advise  the 
use  of  a  wet  dressing  compound  of  4  per  cent  sodium  chloride  and  .5 
per  cent  sodium  citrate.  This  solution  is  an  ideal  lymphagogue,  and 
prevents,  by  inhibiting  coagulation,  the  formation  of  a  scab.  Let  us 
remember  also  that  leucocytes  are  essential  to  the  success  of  vaccine 
therapy  and  that  the  best  results  may  be  expected  when  large  num- 
bers of  healthy  leucocytes  are  present.  MacWatter  claims  that  the 
leucocytes  may  be  increased  in  number  6  or  7  fold  by  the  adminis- 
tration of  yeast.  This  method  is  rather  crude,  as  no  definite  amount 
of  nucleinic  acid  is  administered.  As  the  success  following  the  use  of 
yeast  in  these  cases  is  undoubtedly  due  to  the  nucleinic  acid  which  it 


FAILURES  FOLLOWING  USE  OF  VACCINES  353 

contains,  it  would  seem  more  scientific  to  use  nucleinic  acid  which, 
under  the  name  of  nuclein  solution,  is  readily  obtainable. 

Some  failures  are  due  to  the  selection  of  unsuitable  vaccines,  as 
the  following  case  will  show:  A  young  man  suffering  from  chronic 
prostatitis  came  under  my  personal  observation.  Improvement  was 
obtained  by  the  use  of  gonococcus  vaccine,  but  it  seemed  impossible 
by  this  means  to  effect  a  cure.  At  this  stage,  I  resorted  to  the  use 
of  a  combined  vaccine  made  from  a  mixture  of  common  pyogenic  or- 
ganisms. The  results  of  these  injections  were  very  gratifying.  In 
this  case,  though  the  infection  was  primarily  due  to  the  gonococcus 
it  is  evident  that  other  organisms  replaced,  at  least  in  part,  the  one 
named.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  though  a  specific  organism 
may  be  the  original  cause  of  the  trouble,  the  advent  of  other  germs 
producing  a  mixed  infection  may  delay  a  cure  and,  in  the  absence  of 
indications  to  the  contrary,  it  may  be  well  in  such  cases  to  employ 
such  a  mixture  of  vaccines. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

1.  There  should  be  a  proper  determination  of  whether  an  antiserum 
or  a  bacterial  vaccine  is  indicated.  2.  Care  should  be  exercised  in  de- 
ciding on  the  proper  dosage  for  each  individual  infection.  3.  The  ad- 
ministration of  vaccines  during  the  aggravated  stage  of  infection  may 
produce  harmful  effects.  4.  A  proper  interval  should  elapse  before 
repeating  the  injections.  5.  Too  much  local  treatment  of  the  infection 
may  produce  harmful  results.  6.  Such  aids  as  tend  toward  the  in- 
crease of  leueocytosis  or  the  freer  movements  of  lymph  should  be 
given  to  assist  the  effects  of  the  bacterial  vaccine.  7.  Any  possible 
change  in  the  character  of  the  infection  should  be  observed.