The Lectures of Sir Astley Cooper, Bart on the Principles and Practice of Surgery, with Additional Notes and Cases, by F. Tyrrell

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1824. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... LECTURE IX. ON GANGRENE., Having traced inflammation through its adhesive, suppurative, and ulcerative stages, I shall now proceed to consider it in its most destructive form; namely, when it exists in such excess as to produce gangrene. We find that when inflammation is extremely violent, it occasions the destruction of the vital power of the part. At other times, when there is a less degree of inflammatory action, but the powers of the part are feeble, life will still be destroyed; so that gangrene is produced either by an excess of inflammatory action, where the powers are natural, or by a less degree of inflammation, where the powers of the part are feeble. Gangrene may be considered as a partial Definition. death: this is its definition: the death of one part of the body, while the other parts retain their natural powers. The symptoms of gangrene differ accord-symptom. ing to the manner in which it is produced, grene. When it is the result of high and active in-Fromexces. flammation, the pain attending its production nationTM is exceedingly severe; the inflammation is very extensive; there is a blush on the surrounding skin; and generally, though not always, a considerable degree of swelling. The secretion from any sore which may exist ceases, the surface of the skin becomes of a purple colour prior to its death, but afterwards is rather of a brownish tinge. The cuticle is raised; a vesication is produced; and when this breaks, it is found to contain a bloody serum. When the serum is discharged, the skin assumes the gangrenous appearance, and becomes perfectly insensible. The vesications extend to parts beyond the ulceration: thus in sores of the leg we frequently see a large portion of the skin giving way, and the gangrenous vesications extending beyond t...