I learn that the disease returned in this patient, some time after she left the infirmary; that she languished for about a twelve-month and died; and, that she could not be prevailed upon to return to the hospital; if she had returned, it would have been my wish to have tried the full effect of the actual cautery. Although the patient did not eventually recover, yet, as she lived sufficiently long to prove, to a certain degree, the success of the operation, I trust the facts, and the extreme and peculiar features of the case, may still be deemed worthy of the attention of the Association, for, in the language of the late Mr. Abernethy, "I always like cases, I consider that they impress the mind more forcibly than mere words. It is said that history is a mode of teaching philosophy by a recital of facts." no notice being taken of it in the 6th edition of his Dictionary, published in 1830. This omission will be admitted in some degree, as my excuse for having overlooked so appropriate and valuable a confirmation of one of the chief points of practice introduced by myself. Mr. Adams's communication contains two cases of successful removal of two large malignant tumours, one weighing 5lbs. 7oz. being larger than the head of the patient, without tying the carotid artery. These cases are accompanied with many interesting and sound pathological, anatomical, physiological, and surgical remarks, supporting, to the very utmost, the views I have taken on this subject; and quite sufficient to have superseded, in some respects, the introduction of my paper. I feel, however, a most gratifying pleasure in offering my humble testimony in support of that gentleman's judicious and convincing reasoning and practice, in this department of operative surgery; and of being, in any degree, the means of drawing additional attention to the writings of this distinguished surgeon. GENERAL REFERENCES. A very excellent description of Osteo-sarcoma is given by Sir A. P. Cooper, in his and Mr. Travers's " Surgical Essays," under the title of "Fungous or Medullary Exostosis." Malignant Diseases."-Med. Chir. Trans. vol. xv. Mr. Abernethy's "Lectures" and "Surgical Works." A scientific paper on the "Arrangement and Description of the Diseases of Bones," particularly Osteo-sarcoma, by Dr. Cumin, in the 23d vol. of the Ed. Med. Surg. Journ. Mr. A. Burns on the "Anatomy of the Head and Neck," by Pattison. Dr. Hope's Principles, Illustrations, and coloured lithographic Drawings of Morbid Anatomy. Mr. Hodgson on Aneurism. Dr. W. Kerr on "Fungus Hæmatodes." Dr. Carswell on Melanosis. Cyclop. Pract. Med. B. C. Brodie, in Pathol. and Surg. Obs. on the "Joints." Burn's "Principles of Surgery." Liston's "Elements of Surgery." Syme's "Principles of Surgery." Sir C. Bell's" Operative Surgery," vol. ii. p. 313; and Surgical Observations, with a Plate, No. 3. Dublin Hospital Reports, vol. i. p. 205. Removal of a Tumour from the Angle of the Jaw, by Dr. Cusack. M. Boyer on the "Bones." Cooper's "First Lines of the Practice of Surgery," p. 186 to 213, 316, 391, 5th ed. Cooper's Surgical Dictionary, 6th ed. article " Osteo-sarcoma,' ""Jaw Bone," "Aneurism by Anastomosis," "Cancer," "Tumour," "Carotid Aneurism," "Caries." Howship's "Surgical Observations," with a Plate, p. 22. Dr. Baron on "The origin of Tubercles and Tumours." London, 1819 and 1822. Hey's Practical Observations in Surgery. Mr. Carmichael, Trans. King's and Queen's College of Physicians, Dublin, vol. ii. p. 101. Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, vol. iii. p. 158. Mr. Adams's two successful cases of large Tumours of the Neck, re- Queen's College of Physicians, Dublin, vol. iv. p. 222. A most A Surgical Letter of M. Gensoul, of Lyons, on Malignant Tumours LONDON MED. CHIR. TRANS. Vol. 2, p. 1, Mr. Travers. Vol. 12, pt. 1, p. 247, Mr. Vincent. For the drawing from which the cut was taken, I am indebted to Mr. Jones Smith, a gentleman who also favoured me with his attendance, (with about sixty other professional friends) at the operation; and from whom the surgeons of the infirmary, on many other occasions, have received similar proofs of his taste and skill as an amateur artist. In submitting this imperfect and hastily prepared case for insertion in the "Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association," the Author takes leave to congratulate the Members of the Association on the production of its first volume; and, also, on the facilities which the establishment of this Institution will afford for the more rapid and extensive communication of medical information among the profession generally. It is hoped that the reflection of how much information has been lost, and suffered to run to waste, for want of a general depôt, which might have afforded a durable asylum and existence to valuable facts and observations, will animate the Provincial Profession to see their real interest and dignity in their true light. The Provincial Medical Press has, of late years, exhibited unquestionable proofs of the respectable state of medical and surgical science in the Provinces. The establishment of Provincial Medical and Surgical Schools, of Public Medical Libraries, and local Medical Societies, has now become so general, as to give a vast impulse and advancement to Medical Literature; a subject not only of the highest interest and comfort to the Profession itself, but, what is of still greater importance, to society at large. Association and Publication are the simple elements of our new-formed Society, which, I trust, will, both in its infancy and future growth, be emulous of being worthy to share in the well-earned fame of its professional predecessors in the Metropolis, and that it will ever study to cultivate and extend their well-designed improvements, for the honour of the profession and the benefit of mankind. VOL. I Z W. HETLING. Reports of Infirmaries and Dispensaries. REPORT OF THE BIRMINGHAM INFIRMARY FOR DISEASES OF THE EYE, FROM MARCH 1, TO DECEMBER 31, 1832.* BY MR. MIDDLEMORE, Assistant Surgeon to the Eye Infirmary, &c. Puru SIMPLE acute conjunctivitis, 186. Chronic conjunctivitis, 79. Acute conjunctivitis, with pustules on the conjunctiva, 90. (a) Acute conjunctivitis, with pustule or ulcer of the cornea, 129. Acute conjunctivitis, with puriform secretion, 61. lent conjunctivitis of newly-born infants, 32. Irritable conjunctivitis, 24. Strumous conjunctivitis, 53. Pterygium, 5. Corneitis, 12. Vascularity of the cornea, 3. Opacity of the cornea, 99. (b) Conical cornea, 3. Staphyloma of the cornea, 13. Impaction of foreign bodies in the cornea, 13. Simple acute sclerotitis, 7. Rheumatic sclerotitis, 11. Staphyloma of the sclerotica, 3. Affections of the membrane of the aqueous humour, 10. Simple acute iritis, with or without ulcer or opacity of the * It will be seen from this statement, that more than thirteen hundred cases have been entered on the Infirmary books during the last ten months. This statement also furnishes some information respecting the comparative frequency with which the various parts and textures of the eye are liable to become affected with disease. |