A practical treatise on the diseases of the rectum / by Alfred Cooper.

  • Cooper, Alfred, Sir, 1846-1901.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical treatise on the diseases of the rectum / by Alfred Cooper. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    lation by the sphincter. The protrusion may be accompanied by haemorrhage, often profuse and going- on for some time. In old-standing cases, the haemorrhoids are apt to come down, not only as a result of defaecation, but after the least exer- tion, and to remain outside until replaced by the fingers. In earlier stages the protrusion is wont to occur only on defascation, and replacement is spon- taneous as soon as the straining efforts cease. Pro- trusion of polypi is also liable to take place after defaecation, the extent of the protrusion depending mainly upon the length of the pedicle. They are generally retracted spontaneously, but strangulation and gangrene of a protruded polypus has been known to occur. Villous tumours are very rare; they are soft, are wont to protrude during defaeca- tion, and more or less blood and large quantities of sticky mucus are apt to be discharged. 2. The second symptom, more or less commonly met with in diseases of the rectum, is constipation. There is, of course, nothing characteristic about this symptom, as it may depend simply upon sluggish peristaltic action and a variety of other causes. When occurring in connection with diseases of the rectum, it may be due to stricture and malig- nant disease. Constipation also occurs in fissure, owing to the way in which the patient restrains the action ol the bowels, because of the pain which de- faecation causes. It is also a symptom of impaction of faeces and of compression of the rectum by a displaced uterus, by tumours of the prostate, etc. Constipation is frequently associated with haemor- rhoids, of which it is a potent cause.