Case of Excision of the Shoulder Performed Fifty Years Ago

Abstract

Case of Excision of the Shoulder performed Fifty Years ago.By HENRY CURTIS, F.R.C.S.H. R., AGED 64-, pensioner. In 1861, when aged 12, he suffered from an abscess behind the right shoulder and was seen by the late Mr. Sidney Jones, Assistant Surgeon at St. Thomas's Hospital. Mr. Sidney Jones evacuated the pus and inserted a seton in the wound. The shoulder was painted with iodine and covered with gutta-percha, according to the patient's account. After two days the shoulder became very bad, and patient returned to St. Thomas's Hospital, where he was admitted under Mr. Simon. After one week, when he had been prepared for operation, the Hospital was closed, and the patient was discharged unoperated upon. The shoulder was then poulticed until it finally closed up.In 1863 the " arm fell to the side " owing to the extensive disease of the bones about the right shoulder-joint. The patient went to University College Hospital, where Sir John Erichsen excised the shoulder-joint, but told the patient "he would never be able to get his hand to his head."In January and July, 1885, some sinuses above the right axilla, (? shoulder) were treated by Professor A. E. Barker and Sir Victor Horsley.At the present time there are seen to be numerous depressed scars of healed sinuses in front of and behind the right shoulder-joint. The joint was evidently opened by means of an external (deltoid) flap. The right upper arm is notably shortened compared with the left. The right hand can be readily brought round to touch the occiput.Case of Osteitis Deformans.By BERNARD MYERS, M.D. F. S., MALE, aged 57. The patient came to the Western General Dispensary about a year ago for advice with regard to severe pains in the back and legs. It appears that he has suffered from pains in various bones and joints for five years. The affected bones include the vertebra,