Observations on aneurism of the abdominal aorta / [Alexander Monro].

  • Monro, Alexander, 1773-1859.
Date:
1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on aneurism of the abdominal aorta / [Alexander Monro]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    sternum has become external, the gradual cessation of the pul¬ sation in the tumour indicates the gradual and progressive for¬ mation of layers of lymph within it. When the sac of a large abdominal aneurism has attained a great size, it generally contains, at its more prominent part, more or less of coagulated blood ; hence, when it pro¬ jects backwards, pulsation is not very obvious, and it has been mistaken for a lumbar abscess. I attended a patient afflicted by a large aneurism, which was seated in the loins, and was informed by the friends of the patient, that a medical gentleman, sup¬ posing the tumour to be an abscess, had proposed to push his lancet into it, in order, as he said, to let out the matter. OF THE SPONTANEOUS CURE OF ANEURISM. Many instances are to be found in the records of physic and surgery, in which aneurisms proper to the arteries of the ex¬ tremities of the body have been removed by an effort of nature in the following manner : The aneurismal sac is filled up by a number of layers of coa-, gulable lymph, by which the artery is rendered impervious; these layers of lymph are afterwards absorbed, and the oppo¬ site sides of the artery grow together. Considering that the blood is driven into the abdominal aorta, by the powerful contraction of the posterior ventricle of the heart, it is not to be expected that this artery should be fre¬ quently obstructed by eoagulable lymph, unless the tumour, as in one in the Museum of the University, be placed at the side of the aorta. MEDICAL TREATMENT. The filling up of aneurismal tumours, by eoagulable lymph, has been occasionally brought about by diminishing the im¬ petus and velocity of the blood which flows to the seat of the disease, by the repeated detraction of blood, by low diet, rest,