Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 536

Sessional Papers 議政定例兩局文件 All

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anthrax bacilli. Brain, smear, and inoculated tubes were all sent to the Government Bacteriologist for confirmation. Report of Dr. W. HUNTER, Government. Bacteri- ologist:-"Smear. culture tubes and brain showed presence of at least two micro- organisms resembling Bacillus Anthracis and Streptococcus lanceolatus. When isolated in pure culture the rounded organism proved to be the S. lanceolatus and the rod shaped organism the B. authracis the latter giving all the morphological, tinctorial, cultural, and experimental tests in a marked manner. I am of opinion that the meningitis was occasioned by the presence of the two named organisms. Though no detailed examination was made of the other body tissues I conclude the meningitis was not primary but part of a general anthraxæmia."

TYPHORD FEVER WITH JAUNDICE. DEATH.

E.C.E., aged 50, admitted on 26th March, baving been ill for five days with continued fever. Slight jaundice on admission which deepened and persisted up to the end. Temperature for first week was between 104° and 102°. Tongue furred. Bowels open once daily. Heart and lungs normal. Liver dulness not increased. Stools pea-soupy in character. On April 7 dulness over region of gall bladder was first noticed. Typical roseolar spots on abdomen. Bowels now only act after enema. Temperature now ranging between 103° and 102°. No delirium but patient very apathetic. Died suddenly of heart failure on seventeen days.

This complication is both rare and very fatal. MURCHISON only saw three cases and OSLER none out of 500 in John Hopkin's University Hospital.

CASE OF RUPTURED SPLEEN. OPERATION. RECOVERY.

A Chinese male adult was admitted on April 30th having been knocked about in a fight. His pulse was small and thready and he complained of great pain all over the abdomen. There was dulness on percussion in both flanks.

His dying deposition was at once taken and the operation rapidly performer, the abdomen being opened by a median incision. The abdominal cavity was full of blood aud the spleen was found ruptured on the inner surface. The pedicle was ligatured and the spleen removed. No attempt was made to clear out the blood but the intestines were moved to one side and a pint of saline fluid poured in on both sides and the incision closed with silkworm gut sutures. The patient was much collapsed and was kept going for the next few hours by saline rectal infections and hypodermics of strychnia and camphor. The wound healed well but on the

sixth day his temperature rose to 101.9o. To our relief the blood slide showed crescents and malignant parasites. On quinine being given this subsided in 24 hours. Patient was discharged on the 25th May.

The spleen was about 24 times the normal size. According to the independent statement of the patient and the witnesses the blow was given some 28 hours previous to admission but if this were so the capsule only must have first been torn and a further tear of spleen tissue occurred later. This case is of interest to medical jurists as there seeins no doubt the injury was received at the time stated. The rise in temperature due to malaria is also of interest.

PLAGUE. KELAPSE. RECOVERY.

An Indian Policeman was admitted on June 27th with temperature of 105°, furred tremulous tongue and quick intermittent pulse. He had been ill for two days. Blood film showed no malaria but plague bacilli were found. The following day his temperature ranged between 103° and 105° and on June 29th as his con- dition was better though his temperature was 101° he was transferred to Kennedy Town Hospital. Dr. THOMSON, Medical Officer, reports: "lis fever fell but kept above normal till July 4th and plague bacilli were found in his blood up to July 6th. He was treated with carbolic acid 12 minims every 2 hours till this day,' and was discharged on the 19th July.

Five days after he was admitted to the Government Civil Hospital with tem- perature 103, furred tongue, and foul breath. The following day his pulse was intermittent with quick breathing. There was a dry rub at right base and coarse crepitations here and there. His sputum was blood tinged and very sticky and showed no tubercle, or pneumococcus but was full of plague bacilli. His blood was free from malaria but contained plague bacilli. His temperature varied be- tween 100° and 103° till the 21st July when it fell to normal. His threatened heart failure which required digitalis strychnia, &c., was the worst symptom. He rapidly convalesced and was discharged on the 6th August.

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