The Mineral argus., 1885-04-02

02088A6 08A04'U CO0Oxx1O0s
Two Leading 0eAical Journals Give H.
ports ana Comments upon the osnsra1's
ConA1tion.
New York. March l9.-After his visit to Gen.
Grant tonight DR.. Douglas said:
The general slept seven hours continuously
last night. He was very well through the day.
Ho asked for roast mutton, and ate 1t during
the afternoon and evening. The general revised
enough of his books to keep the printers busy
three days. When left him to- night he was in
clined 10 sleep. The patients throat looks bet
ter this evening lthas not tho angry appear
ance it has had There was catarrahal diff
Guilty in the morning that caused gagging, but
no bad results Cocaine Is not now being used,
and there il no pain. There ID mental occupa-
ton that renders the general wakeful
MORE MEDICAL LoEI
The following will appear in the Medical
Record on Saturday:
During the past week the local disease Of
Gen. Grant has shown no marked tendency
toward progressing liberation. At the recent
weekly consultation DR. Fordyce Barker was
unavodaby absent Drs j. ii. Douglas,
Henry Is. sands and George +. Shrady, who
were present, made thorough examination Of
~
the expedency OF . surgical operation for the
removal of the growth. such measure would
involve the division of the lower jaw in the
medan line, the extirpation Of the entire tongue
and tho greater part Of the soft palate, to-
gethcr with the removal Of the liberated
and infitrated fauces and induratcd CLAN
dular structures under the right angle OF
the lower jaw. This was considered mcchan-
ically possible, despite tho close proximity
and probable involvement Of TISSUES adjoining
the large arteries and veins in the neighbour
hood of the liberation: but in the best interests
Of the distinguished patient the surgeons did
not feel inclined TO recommend the procedure.
Even by such means there could be no guaran-
tee. in view Of the extensive surrounding in
filtration, that the limits Of the disease would
be reached without immediate risk to the life
by severe shock to the constitution already
much enfcebled His vital power is no low
Of operation will be undertaken. The
liberation the side of the tongue has not
progressed far enough TO produce the usual
intolerable pain reported with that condition;
but should tho latter symptoms appear il may
be advised 10 divide the gustatory nerve. Tho
general tone Of the patients system remains
about the same as at last reports. notwithstand-
ing he has suffered much from insomnia The
latter, within the last day or two. has been kept
under control by suitable anodynes. There 10
no pain in swallowing, and sufficient food is
taken with reasonable relish.
A PHILADELPHIA CONTRIBUTION
The Philadelphia Medical News this week
will say editorially, concerning the disease
from which Gen. Grant is suffering:
Lngual apitheloma, - a rule, rapidly pro-
crosses toward fatal termination when left to
itself The life Of the patient, from the first
appearance of the disease, varies in accordance
with the estimates of different observers from
five to thirteen months, the average being sew
Ell months Death ensues first from genersli-
cation OF tho disease; secondly, from the in
halation of putrid carnations. which result
from decomposition Of the products Of the ul-
corated surface; third from starvation through
the pressure of nfltrated lymphatic glands
and surrounding parts upon theoesophagus.
thereby interfering with deslutition; and
lastly from hemorrhagc proceeding
from liberated lingual arteries or
Of those who survive an operation averages
nineteen months. Not only does operative in
reference prolong life and relieve suffering,
but ii effects cure in Ia per cent OF all cases.
In obtaining these results it must be remem-
bered that the inclsion Of the tongue is attend
ed with mortality of q per cent, the prin-
cipal dangers being the shock hcmorrhage,
Tdima of the CLOTHS, septic lung affections,
picatumone, or erysipelas some OF which risks
can be avoided by taking careful precautions
during the operation and by perfectng antisep-
tic measures during and after the procedure.
When in addition to disease of the tongue it.
self the palate and tonsi,s are involved and
prognosis is far more grave-whether the die
ease shall be permitted to pursue an unated
course or whether it shall he subjected to the
knife. In the latter event not only will the
tongue have TO be extirpated, but disease OF
the palate and tonsils have to be reached. So
far as We can learn, there is no example OF tho
performance Of q double operation on record,
and 1t Is, in our opinion not Justifiabe.