Aids to surgery

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ... The Symptoms produced are an immediate and varying degree of paraplegia, general shock, and absence of the reflexes for a time. Death may be produced at once by a blow in the cervical region. Priapism never occurs in simple concussion. Prognosis.--The patient is likely to recover, more or less perfectly, but it is always difficult to be sure that merely concussion is present. Treatment consists in absolute rest in the prone position, with the application of an icebag to the spine. Spinal Haemorrhage from traumatism may be into the cord or outside it. Intramedullary Haemorrhage may result from injury. The substance of the cord is ploughed up, and paraplegia is more or less complete. Some degree of recovery may follow, but the parts supplied from the gray matter at the site of the haemorrhage remain paralyzed. The Diagnosis depends on the rapid onset of paraplegia, but a crush of the cord might produce exactly the same conditions. The Prognosis depends on the size and situation of the clot. The Treatment is the same as for concussion. Extramedullary Haemorrhage may follow sprains, and the bleeding is usually extradural. The symptoms are those of spinal irritation, pain, hyperesthesia, and spasms, rapidly followed by loss of power and paralysis, which extends from below upwards, causing death by asphyxia. The bleeding may stop at any point and the blood-clot be absorbed in time, so that complete recovery ensues. If a correct diagnosis is made, laminectomy may be done to relieve the pressure. Spinal Meningitis from injury may be acute or chronic. Acute Spinal Meningitis is due to bacterial infection. The Symptoms begin with a rigor, followed by fever. There is severe pain in the back and limbs, increased by movement, and causing rigidity and painful muscular s...