Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-07-02
AN INTERESTING AUTOPSY.

The New York Tribune, of Saturday, co.,
taius the following report of the autopsy made
by scientific commission OF Mccormick g
BODY, who died iu New York on Friday last
from hydrophobia. Alter the scuil.cap had
been removed the condition OF the membranes
OF the brain was apparent. The congestion
Was Intense. The small vessels were disteuded
to their utmost, and small points Of scarlet
color were everywhere to be seen. The slDucs
or channels along which the blood flows be
tween the dura mater. and the skull Were full
of blood. The entire surface was eDgorged.
This appearance indicated, said DIR. Hammond,
that whatever might be the seat OF the disease,
Inflammation had extended to the brain. This
had produced the coma that at times overcame
the patient
The nerves and blood vessels at the base of
the brain were divided, and portion Of the
pneumogastric ncrve secured for microscopic
examination. This exposed the medulla OBJ
ougata. The mcdulla oblungata is the pyra-
mlda body which is the nerve centre OF the
system. lu this little body the forces are gene
rated and sent forth which control the greater
part of the motor portion of system. DIR Ham
lnond took q knife and carefully dssected the
mcdulo from the brain and divided it from the
spinal cord Here he believed he should fnd
the lesion, The real seat Of the disease. With
the naked eye he cou,d see that the medulla
was congested Smallre points appeared in Il e
whish gray substance, which would not be seen
in health The parts seemed softer than normal
and it is believed that the microscope will re.
veal structural changes that will give clear
conception of the workings Of the disease. For
if positive structural changes are found affect
ing the dicuSSating fbres, by future expert
,urut the entire pathology OF the disease
l. IL, Il phnla I'll oil
. with certainty that may reveal a proper line
OF treatment
The pons varoi, which connects the cere
bclum with the true braiu, also showed evil
dence ofintenSe congestion. At the point where
the pucumogastric nerve arises pear the pons,
the same intense congestion was seen, little
bright, red points covering the cut surface
The brain proper and the cerebellun had been
affected by the general congestion, but not
markedly So The intensity of the inflammation
was settled in the membranes and the medulla
ohlongata'
The throat was next examined. The pharyrx
and IarynX were engorged with blood. The
constructor muscles were deep red, aud the yes
sells in and about were enlarged. This was the
effect of the intense spasmodic and convusive
action which had been almost continuous dur
ing the progress of the disease. Drs. Cymcr
pathological changes within the pharynx aud
laryux. They said that here might be found
some exciting cause Of the spasmodic action.
Dmheria aud other malignant throat diseases
often produce paralysis and cerebral conges-
tlou, and there is very intimate connection
between the throat and the nerve centres. In
hystcria the action of the sympathetic syS
TEN causes a feeling as though bali was
passing up through the throat The pharyuX
and arynx were opened and carefully exam
med. Everywhere the parts were healthy
aud all were astonished at the general normal
appearance.
The chest was opened and the heart, lungs
and membranes were found to be healthy. The
muscles Of the diaphragm were coDl lestcd. This
was the result of the cessation of the action
Of the thoracc muscles, before death. The
spleen presented curious appearance. The
capsule looked shrivcled, and DR.. jacob
thought this was the result of recent shrink
ing Its weight was only three ouuces. A
normal spleen ought to weigh more than twice
tha:. Further examination with microscope
Is to be made which may reveal some conncc-
tlon with the disease. The functions of the
spleen have not been settled, and its action in
hydrOphobia is not kuown, though it may be
important. The stomach was intensely con.
pcsted internally. This congestion affected
the muscular coat only. Internally the
appearance were perfectly normal. The
colrugatous were very prominent, but there
was no evidence OF disease. Mccormick
was an unusually muscular men, aud the body
was well uouriShcd Everywhere the muscles
bore evidence OF the terrible conVusive move
meuts that had been continuous for nearly
twenty four hours The general opinion Of
the assembled physicians was that the seat of
the disease was iu the medulla oblougata. The
appearances of the other parts were results Of
that central inflammation.