The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-05-05
For the Gdlarp.

II. BELL Esq.-Sir, In your last Galaxy ]
observe, over the signature of CELSIUS, a
communication, which places me before the
public in an attitude shall not tamely sub
nit to.-What could be the object of the wri-
ter in bringing the doings of the Addison
County Medical Society before the commu-
nifty at this late day. when it was not con-
sidered Of sufficient importance by the So
ciety at large the proper time, can't say
unless it was 10 seek 4 little notoriety for
himself, or little fictitious capital for his
lrdrd. Be this as II may-I will endeavor
10 furnish him with sufficient materials for
his undertaking, and have TO request you
as preliminary step, 10 publish the follow
ing communication which had the honor to
send the Medical Secretary. in December
last. to which DR.. CELSIUS refers. The COM
munication sir, was not intended for publca
ton, but as CELSIUS has thrown his animal
versions broad cast before friends and foes.
and the community at large, think you will
not refuse this act of Justice. The following
is correct copy Of the communication:
The PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF ADD
son COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Gentlemen: Not being a member ofyour
Society, some apology may be deemed nee
essdry Tor my addressing you at this time.
But justice, due regard TO truth and the
honor Of our profession, must be my apology.
The subject which | wish 10 bring before
iS ha rao ort Of coco Ol o,-arion
contained in sac made at your last meet
ing at Vergennes. understand that NV
son, DR.. E. d. Hall. was referred 10 as as
sisling in the examination, and as having the
uterus and lis appendages in his possession
thereby drawing :orroboraive evidence by
implication of the, correctness of said re
port. That he was present and examined
the case is true. but that an ovarian alb
scess existed, he has ever promptly denied
was likewise invited TO attend the post NOR
TEN examination. but told my son had no
desire 10 attend for knew what the disease
was, just as well us we should after exam
ining.-Having learned the symptoms from
some who had visited her. He asked me
what thought the disease was, ! told him
"a psoas abscess.' On his return | asked
him what they had found; he replied that il
WIS Just rs told him il would be. Soon af
ter learned il was reported as an ovarian
abscess contained in Il sac. then wIote 10
him wishing little more light on The subject.
| subloin all that is material in his answer
He says-"You wished me TO enIighten you
on the case OF Olive Russell well, in the
first place, il was not an ovarian absccss
| think told you at the time, that we found
il as you said we should.-An nd | likewise
slowed you the uterus and appendages
| have them preserved in Alcohol. But
will give the particulars as well as can rec
ollect.-As s. said. | assisted him or
done the work. asked him what he cxrec-
ted 10 find, or in what situation he expected
the parts. He then gave me something oil q.
history Of the case, and said he expected TO
find the disease mostly or wholly in the
uterus and appendages. But in what state.
he did not tell. He said nothing about
psoas abscess before the examination. Well
after dissecting away the integuments we
found the uterus in pretty nearly lis natural
| situation, a little inclined TO the right side;
and in carrying on the dissection, we found
that The imbriated extremity Of the right
Fallopian tube was adherent to the side OF
the pelvis, which had drawn the uterus lit
tie 10 that side. In dissecting the attach
ment&c.,w we exposed an psoas Gbscess; there
Doctor, saysl, is psoas abscess plain
enough. believe that he grunted an assent.
introduced my scalpel handle all down the
course OF the psosoas muscle TO the trochonter
minor, within half an inch of the external sur
face. The cavity would certainly contain
half pint, and ire thought pint. The sac
| that S. told about was quantity Of
matter that had escaped from the yoas abb
scess, in its passage 10 The rectu, and was
! covered by a thin membrane or cellular
substance. Where it lay, there was no dis
ease that would produce pus.
The outlet through the intestine was enc
aboutfour, and another smaller about five
inches above the anus, as near as can
Judge. The right ovary was some afec-
| ted"-this much from DR.. E. d. Hall.
| asked him in what manner il was affec-
| ted he said, a shade darker saw the
uterus and appendages within probably an
hour after they were taken out. | did not
discover this darker shade, but there might
have been slight Hypeumia chat is
| funess) of the caplaries (or small vessels.)
1t was not Hyputrophed Cthat is enlarged)
or Atrophied diminished in sze) and no
solution of continuity { that is, it was entire
and in fact no disease about the whole APP
paratus sufficient TO disqualify them for per-
forming their regular functions, unless the
attachment would constitute such disqualif-
cation. Iasked him if the ovary was en-
braced in a sac he said not; it was per-
lectIy distinct from it, and had no connection
with it. Thus have given YOU, gentlemen,
as correct history OF the post mortem ex
animation as have been able 10 obtain, and
doubt not, it will stand the test OF truth.
asked him where the abscess burst; he said
where the attachment existed.
Gentlemen, 1t has been matter Of no lit
tie surprise TO me, that this first reported case
of an ovarian abscess contained in sac, Of
which we have any account, far as my
limited knowledge extends, should have ex-
cited so little interest in the members Of your
association. When any new disease is
brought TO light, there is generally among
scientific men ap intense anxiety 10 probe il
TO the bottom. Such should have been the
case here, if such disease existed, but ilyou
were satisfied that such a disease never did
exist, and never can (Which is probably the
truth did not the members of Addison Coun
ty Medical Society tacily acquiesce in such
report and thereby give it their sanction al d
annrovaI Iffhe Society are in the habit of