The subject of discussion, at the first of these meetings, was
stricture of the rectum, when the diagnosis and treatment of
carcinoma of that part came under consideration. There was a
remarkable discrepancy in the opinions of Messrs. Lloyd and Salmon
as to the symptoms and management of carcinomatous affections of
the rectum. Mr. Lloyd maintained that these affections of the
intestine were sometimes attended with pain and sometimes not, and
that the patients were often materially benefited by the use of
bougies; while Mr. Salmon affirmed, that the disease was always
painful, and not to be mitigated by the employment of these means.
A variety of subjects came before the society at the next meeting.
The president read a letter from Mr. Wansborough, of Fulham,
describing the "original stomach-pump," a specimen of which
accompanied the letter: the instrument Mr. W. stated to be of 25
years' standing.
Mr. Shearly exhibited, among other morbid specimens, a uterus,
on the external surface of which the disease termed the "white
tubercle" was in progress: there was also a small polypus near the
os uteri. Mr. Pereira exhibited to the society a fine specimen of
medullary sarcoma of the liver. The organ was so enlarged as to
have occupied two-thirds of the abdomen. The other viscera were not
involved in the disease. The progress of the disease, as far as
it could be ascertained, was excellently detailed by Mr. Smith, a
visitor. The symptoms were obscure.
Mr. Armstrong read an extract of a letter from Mr. Morgan, of
the Bristol Infirmary, a corresponding member of the Society,
describing a curious conformation of the œsophagus in a child,
which lived 106 hours only, during which period every attempt to
swallow food produced considerable distress. The œsophagus was
found to be divided into two portions; the upper or pharyngæal
extremity terminating in a _cul de sac_ behind the bifurcation of
the trachea; and the lower or ventricular extremity arising from
the trachea at this point, between the bronchi, proceeding down the
spine, and terminating, as usual, at the cardiac orifice of the
stomach. Mr. Drysdale mentioned a somewhat similar malformation
occurring in two children in one family. Mr. Callaway related a
case of concussion of the brain, which terminated fatally, after
the restoration of the intellectual functions. The whole of the
anterior lobes of each hemisphere of the brain was broken down, and
mixed with effused blood. The remarkable feature of the case was,
the return of consciousness, and the possession of this power for
six days, under the disorganization of the brain described; and the
questions particularly agitated were, Did this extent of mischief
exist immediately after the concussion? What was the degree of
laceration of the brain at that period? and, How could the recovery
of the intellectual faculty be reconciled with so much injury of
the brain?
The Society then adjourned to the 12th of January, 1829.
COOPER _v._ WAKLEY.
Notes of the Cause, Cooper _v._ Wakley--We understand that Mr.
Cooper is about to publish a verbatim account of the above trial,
from Mr. Gurney's short-hand notes.