A Note on So-Called Lead-Neuritis
Authors: C. S. Jeaffreson
Journal: BMJ (1886)

a drainage-tube has been left in, it should be removed on the second day.CASE I. -Mr.A., aged 23, residing in Leeds, a member of a learned profession, suffered from varicocele on the left side, neuralgia of the left testicle, and constant aching.He was hypochondriacal, and said he was quite unfitted for work, on account of his depressed mental conidition.The operation was performed undet eucalyptuas-air; heal- ing by first intention occurred, and the patient was out in a fbrt- night.He is now quite well, physically and mentally, and I con- stantly see him in active work.There is no visible scar where the wound was, and nothing to indicate that there has ever been an ab- normality.CASE II.-Mr.W., a colliery-proprietor, residing near Leeds, con- sulted me for a gleety discharge, "prostatic," fiom which he had si;ffered for several years, and for which various 'operations had been done.He had, associated' vwith a large varidocele, reura}gi of the left genito-crural nerve dr'aging pains, atrophy of the left testicle, and Intense mental d4ibAlon.After trbatient of 'vatious kinds withont much improvement, I advised and perfoimed itision 'of the varicocele.The operation was followed by a Slight hydroceIe, which disappeared after three months.The patient reported himself after sit months, looking quite a different individual, hvingg lost his nery- ous symptoms and his gleety discharge, and being 'quite free froni pain.There was no sign of the hydrocele, and the testicles were of normal size.He was then about to marry.CA,SE III.-Mr.B.; a schoolpaster, residin'g in Br"rley, sufrered fron such intense ne6ivotts d6beUity, that he felt quite nidable to c-try on his duties, and had thoughts of suicide.Hisi attention was rnmrbidly centred on a large left varicocele, whtchl had appareptly cauised atrophy of the left testicle, as it was only half the 'size of the right.He'co~mplamned of lneuralgia a-nd draggiiig pains.I advised operatiou, to which he consented.The wound healed by first intention, and' he returned home in a fortnight.He reported himself after three monthss, saying, " I am quite a new man, and my work is a pleasure."In place of a large soft pulse, pale face, dilated pupils, cbld clammy hands, and general want of briskness, he stepped sharply into my room, looked happy, had a firm good pulse, and plenty of red blood in his cheeks, and warmth in his hands.CASE iv.-G.E., aged 19, wished to go into the army, but could not pass because of a left varicocele of considerable size.It caused a dragging and aching pain, but not so much as to require treatment, had it not been for his wish to enter -the service.He had been twice operated on by ligature, without relief.Excision was per' formed in the usual way, but; unfortunately, he displaced the dress- ing the first pight, and the wound suppurated ; thu inguinal glands inflamed but did not suppurate.He was discharged, gered in 'five weeks.CASE v.-F.P., aged 24, was admhitted to the Inifirmary, with the usual nervous symptoms, and' x'#uralgic and dragging pains.E±cision was performed, and he was discharged cured in a fort' night.PAS! VI.-J.W. R., aged 30, was operated on by me in April, 1884, for double varicocete, by subcutaneous ligature, this was foll lowed by slight orohitis, which soon subsided.He rettirned' in six months with the varicoceles quite as lage' as before operatiou.He had in the meantime been suffering frotasyphilitic orchitis.lis dis' comfort necessitated something being done, hence I extised both varia coceles in October.'The wounds healed, kindly, and he had no pain; biat the orchitis returned in the' right' side, and required epecific treatment.CASE VIr.-J.H. was admitted to the Inf1rmary, suffering from left varicocele on August 18th, The operation was dote oti Ailg'ust 21Tt, and he' 'asdischarged cured September 7th, 1884.CASE VIII.-J.W., aged 20, was admitted to the Infirmary on account of dragging and pain in the left side of the scrotum, dune to a large varicocele, which was excised under eucalyptiAs-air on April 2nd, 1885.He was made an out-patient in twelve days.CASE IX.-J.'W., aged 31, :was admitted into the Infirmaryi An Janiuary lst for a large left varicocele, which caused a dragging paiii and prevented lini from lifting.Excision* Was petfored on Yantiary 9th, neither sutures noedainage belng employed.'tir waa di4chirged cured in ten days.CASE X. -A.WT., aged 44, was-adiitted December 3rd on' account of severe left genito-craral'pain, apparently dependent on a large left raricocele, which was excised on December 10th.The wound healed