Page 309 - My FlipBook

INVASION FOLLOWING MECHANICAL INJURIES. 281 ;;

shining, and tense, both bulbs very prominent, the conjunctiva
distinctly yellow and intensely cljemotic, the pupils half dilated
without reaction. A terrible foetor was emitted from the month
lockjaw existed in the highest degree ; the glands of the sub-
maxillary region on both sides were swollen, the neighboring
tissues infiltrated; the neck stiif. In the lungs there was noth-
ing especially remarkaljle. The heart was of normal size, with
a slight diastolic murmur at the apex ; the abdomen was dis-
tended ; the uterus could be felt above the symphysis ; there was
deep stupor, delirium, restlessness, involuntary urination and
defecation.
" On the following day delirium, pulse very rapid; in the fol-
lowing night a hemorrhage of the uterus took place, and the
digital examination revealed a foetus, which was removed together
with the placenta; the foetus was 17 cm. long. Death soon
followed, in a state of coma.
" On openiijg into the cavity of the skull the meninges are
found thickened, clouded, traversed by numerous densely filled
blood-vessels, and on the left hemisphere covered with a layer of
pns of considerable thickness. The right hemisphere likewise
plainly shows depots of pus along the course of the distended
vessels. The substance of the brain is soft, permeated with
moisture, and contains numerous ecchymoses. The chamber is
much dilated, and filled with a bloody serous liciuid. The left
middle temporal convolution is yellowish and softened through-
out. The base of the brain is covered with a layer of pus, particu-
larly thick on the sella turcica, which may be traced as far as the
superior orbital fissure and the optic foramen. The meninges
here show the same character as on the convexity of the brain.
" The alveolus of the lower third molar is filled with foetid pus,
the mucous membrane surrounding it is discolored and may be
pulled off in shreds. The probe discloses everywhere the rough
surface of the bone. All of the muscles inserted on the left side of
the lower jaw, as well as the whole of the articular aponeurosis,
are infiltrated with pus, at points destroyed, discolored, ichorous
the temporo-maxillary articulation purulent. The submaxillary
fflands are much enlars^ed, and also in the interior infiltrated
with pus. The bone of the lower jaw is completely divested of