The effects of radium upon living tissues with speical reference to its use in the treatment of malignant disease / by Sidney Forsdike.

  • Forsdike, Sidney, 1875-1942.
Date:
1923
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The effects of radium upon living tissues with speical reference to its use in the treatment of malignant disease / by Sidney Forsdike. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    92/98 (page 70)
    profound depression and loss of morale not infrequently seen. There is a more or less prolonged period of invalidism following any abdominal operation, and a certain percentage of morbidity, as shown by subse¬ quent pain, hernise, adhesions, and constipation. Nevertheless, the operation is satisfactory, inasmuch as the bleeding is cured beyond a question, and the only criticism is that the subtotal operation leaves a useless cervix, too often a diseased cervix, and less frequently a cervix which may become the seat of a malignant growth, of which I have met one example this year. The drawbacks of this particular treatment to the wage-earner are the length of stay necessary in hospital, the length of the subsequent convalescence, and the problematical complete restoration of health. Conclusions. (1) In my opinion radium treatment should be the method of choice in all uncomplicated cases of severe and persistent haemorrhage due to chronic metritis, inflammatory disease of the tubes and ovaries consti¬ tuting the sole contra-indication. (2) The radium menopause is not usually accom¬ panied by any symptoms attributable to action upon the ovaries, and it produces the least disturbance of the patient’s economic life. Epitome of Cases. Group A.—Three cases, aged 20, 23, 26. Group B.—Ten cases, aged 29 to 38. Aged 29, one; aged 34, two; aged 35, one; aged 36, one; aged 37, two; aged 38, three. Group C.—Twenty-two cases, aged 38 to 50. Aged 39, six; aged 40, three; aged 41, two; aged 43, one; aged 44, one; aged 46, four; aged 47, one; aged 49, three ; aged 50, one.