298 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1793. 



vital organ could be discovered. Yet if it be considered how frequently children 

 die from nervous irritation, or fever, the probability of this suspicion is, in my 

 opinion, diminished. The circumstances of the case may impress others with 

 contrary sentiments ; I shall remain satisfied with having faithfully described the 

 appearances of the body, and having offered those remarks which I believed de- 

 ducible from them. 



The peculiarity of the next case, consists in an uncommon formation of the 

 alimentary canal. The body of a boy was brought to me for dissection ; it 

 measured 4 feet 3 inches in length ; it was well formed, and had moderately large 

 limbs ; they however appeared flabby, as if wasted by recent disease. The abdo- 

 men was enormously swoin ; which being opened, there appeared a more than 

 ordinary extent of large intestines, in a state of great distention. The diameter 

 of the canal measured about 3 inches, and its dimensions were nearly equal in 

 every part. The matter with which it was turgid was of a greyish colour, of a 

 pulpy consistence, havirtg little foetor, and quite unlike the usual foecal contents 

 of the large intestines. The length of the colon was uncommon : having, as 

 usual, ascended to the right hypochondrium, it was reflected downwards, even 

 into the pelvis ; it then re-ascended to the left hypochondrium, and afterwards 

 pursued its usual course. 



After turning aside this large volume of intestine, to examine the other parts of 

 the alimentary tube, we were surprized to discover that the subject contained 

 scarcely any small intestines. These viscera, with the stomach, lay in a per- 

 fectly collapsed state ; their texture was extremely tender ; they were torn even 

 by a gentle examination. The duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, when detached 

 from the body, and extended, measured only 2 feet in length, while the extent 

 of the large intestines exceeded 4 feet. The utmost length of the intestinal tube, 

 in this subject, was little more than 6 feet, whereas it should have been about 

 27 feet, had it borne the ordinary proportion to the length of the body. I dis- 

 tended and dried this curious alimentary canal, and still have it in preservation. 

 As the small intestines measured only 2 feet in length, this extent was doubtless 

 insuflScient for the preparation and absorption of chyle ; these processes must 

 therefore have been, in a great degree, performed by the large intestines. The 

 form and stature of the boy show that nutrition was not scantily supplied ; he died 

 evidently from a want of intestinal evacuation. Whether the unusual structure 

 of the canal contributed to the production of disease, cannot perhaps be readily 

 determined ; it appears however very probable that uncommonly formed parts, 

 though capable of supporting life, may be less adapted to sustain the derangement 

 of functions consequent to disease. 



In pi. 3, fig. 3 and 4, are represented the appearances described in tlie first of the foregoing cases. 

 In fig. 3, A denotes the anterior ventricle, which is usually inclined to the right side ; b tJie anterior 



