Local anaesthetics and cocaine analgaesia : their uses and limitations / by Thomas H. Manley.

  • Manley, Thomas H. (Thomas Henry), 1851-1905.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Local anaesthetics and cocaine analgaesia : their uses and limitations / by Thomas H. Manley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    ing an anaemic field; so that, in simple growths, with narrow bases, time is permitted us, to turn them out and suture the divided edges before sensation has returned. Notwithstand- ing, what may be said to the contrary, it is my practice not to disturb the surface of the skull, and drill through, to treat a fracture, unless the extent of depression of the fragments is considerable, or there are cerebral symptoms present. But, this is not the place, to consider the controversional side of the question. In all cases, in which there are reasonable grounds for suspecting fractures, an incision will do no harm, and in the event of a litigation following the injury, we are able to state with considerable precision the exact quality of the lesion. It may be added here, parenthetically, that the flat bones of the skull are the only ones in the body which, as a rule, permit of an incision through the soft parts, for purposes of diagnosis in cases of fracture. By hypodermication here, there are many cases in which diagnosis may be verified which, otherwise, must remain in doubt. Many have such a deep-rooted prejudice against pul- monary anaesthetics, in any form, that they will rather take chances than submit to their administration. But, it is well to remember, that though the technique and execution, in the major part of those exploratory operations on the skull, occupy but a few moments, yet, in every case the most minute particulars must be observed, in our preparations, to promptly staunch hemorrhage and sterilize the parts. Local anaesthesia is amply efficient in certain pathological conditions of the skull and brain.