Case of inflammation of the cephalic vein, which terminated fatally : with the appearances on dissection / by Andrew Duncan.

  • Duncan, Andrew, Jun., 1773-1832.
Date:
1824]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of inflammation of the cephalic vein, which terminated fatally : with the appearances on dissection / by Andrew Duncan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/17 (page 14)
    inflamed, but only of serum, such as accompanies all inflammation of a neighbouring texture; and hence that fulness and tension of the limb, which assisted in preventing us from discovering the real nature of the affection. During the life of the pa- tient, and indeed previous to incision, there was little appearance of the vein being the chief seat of the disease, if we except the red streaks running up the arm, and the tenderness being confined to those places where the vein was most superficial; but al- though the arm was repeatedly and carefully exa- mined by myself and my medical friends, no longi- tudinal ridge was observed, nor was any cord felt running under the skin. Perhaps the most important point of inquiry is in regard to the actual exciting cause in this individual instance. That it was connected with the phleg- mon upon the knuckle, there can, 1 think, be little doubt. The veins of that part, and those immediate- ly anastomosing with them, were the most diseased. Indeed, every twig was there thickened and filled with pus, so that at first the pus seemed to be in the cellular substance; but on accurate examination, it was ascertained to be contained exclusively with- in veinous branches. But veinous inflammation is not a common attendant, or consequence of phleg- mon, and some other cause must be looked for as contributing to the effect. The only circumstance of this kind known to me, was Mr A.’s having open- ed on the Monday evening, as far as we can make out, the boil on his knuckle with a lancet, and that