DOI: 10.7925/drs1.ucdlib_280507
title: Caries of temporal bone

description: Watercolour medical illustration depicting caries of temporal bone. It has the alternative reference number 1808, 97 and P1B on the front. The Richmond Hospital Museum reference is C.a.40. The entry for this in P263/1 pg. 20 reads 'Caries of the temporal bones. Infl.n of jugular vein. M. Kirwan. Mr Smith'. The handwritten note under the illustration begins 'Caries of the temporal bone. Inflammation of jugular vein' and in the left corner 'Case of Michael Kirwan'. The handwritten and typescript note on the back reads 'Caries of temporal bone. Phlebitis of lateral sinus & internal jugular vein'.
description: Scope and content: The full handwritten note under the illustration reads 'Caries of the temporal bone. Inflammation of jugular vein' and in the left corner 'Case of Michael Kirwan'. The handwritten and typescript note on the back reads 'Caries of temporal bone. Phlebitis of lateral sinus & internal jugular vein. See catalogue p.97 & catalogue of preparations p.61. Autopsia. Thorax – The left cavity of the pleura contained about four ounces of this foetid matter, and a yellow tenacious lymph adhered both to the coastal and pulmonary layers of the membrane. Similar appearances were noticed in the right cavity of the pleura, but not to the same extent, the lungs were solidified in the postero-inferior portions, and small circumscribed deposits of purulent matter were scattered through them; these deposits were contained in cavities, lined by a smooth membrane, and in two instances, a small branch of a vein was distinctly traced opening into them; these veins were inflamed; lymph was deposited upon their exterior, and purulent matter was contained within them; there also existed in the left lung, three large spots resembling pulmonary apoplexy; these were as large as a walnut, firm, of a livid blue colour, and blood exuded from them upon pressure; the lining membrane of the smaller bronchial tubes were intensely vascular, the pericardium contained about three ounces of serum, and floccule of lymph were seen upon the surface of the heart, chiefly upon the right auricle. Head – The brain was firm, the left hemisphere pale, the right highly vascular in its interior, and the membrane covering it was minutely injected with blood, especially along its inferior surface. Three small purulent deposits, surrounded by a vascular circle, and apparently encysted, were found at the inferior surface of the right lobe of the cerebellum, where it corresponded to the lateral sinus; the dura mater was separated by pus and lymph of a green colour from the anterior surface of the petrous portion of the right temporal bone; there was no perforation of the membrane, but over that portion of the bone, which constitutes the superior wall of the tynpanum [sic], it was elevated into a small tumour by a collection of foetid matter, and presented a sloughy aspect. The portion of the bone corresponding to this abscess, of a circular form and about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, was dead, and of a dull white colour. The process of separation from the living bone was far advanced, and at one point of its margin, the separation was complete, the aperture thus formed communicated with the cavity of the tympanum; the remainder of the petrous portion was remarkable for its vascularity; the membrana tympani had disappeared completely; the membranous walls of the right lateral sinus, throughout the whole of the mastoid portion of its course, were much thickened and the lining membrane of the vessel presented a sloughy appearance, being covered with lymph of a greenish hue, and smeared with unhealthy purulent matter; this condition of the lining membrane extended along the jugular vein and superior vena cava to within a short distance of the entrance of the latter into the auricle; the lining membrane of the remainder of the vena cava was of a dull tawny colour. (Museum, Richmond Hospital.)'
description: Numbering/sequence: Original reference number: 1808.
description: Date details: This illustration is undated, approximate dates are given based on dates for the entire collection.