A CASE OF CONSECUTIVE ABSCESS. 
147 
ing of the teeth—the buccal membrane of a dark colour, and its 
secretion foetid : muscular twitchings now supervened. These 
symptoms continued, or rather rapidly increased in violence, until 
the following morning, when death closed the scene. 
On post-mortem examination, the following lesions were found. 
The diseased extremity, which was the first part that occupied my 
attention, was detached from the trunk, and minutely investigated. 
A sinus about three or four inches in depth was formed between 
the extensor muscles at the superior part of the radius, and it con¬ 
tained some quantity of fluid of the same character as that which 
had previously escaped. An abscess had also formed in the axilla, 
which contained purulent matter. The cellular tissue from the 
superior part of the arm to (and below) the knee was much thick¬ 
ened, and presented a yellow and jelly-like appearance. The 
abscesses formed in the cellular tissues subjacent to the skin on 
the abdominal parietes contained a limpid kind of fluid. 
We then proceeded to investigate the abdominal and pelvic vis¬ 
cera. The intestines were considerably diseased, the large ones 
being mostly involved. Their coats at various parts were much 
thickened, and, being cut into, a glairy fluid was seen to ooze out. 
At other parts spots of ecchymosis were developed. Their contents 
were lax, and somewhat foetid. 
The stomach and its contents did not present any abnormal ap¬ 
pearance, the latter being principally of a liquid kind. The liver 
had a most singular appearance. Its texture was softened, and its 
colour similar to muscular fibre in a state of gangrene. The spleen 
and omentum were universally dark in colour, and the latter was 
so softened that the slightest touch would cause laceration. 
On removing the left kidney from its situation, an abscess was 
found within the capsule, containing five or six drachms of puru¬ 
lent matter. The bladder was void of urine, but an inspissated or 
viscid material was found occupying a small space in the fundus 
of that organ. 
We then proceeded to expose the thoracic viscera. The lungs 
were extensively diseased. Some portions had tubercles, others 
had vomicae, and others hepatization. On making an incision into 
the pericardium, an immense quantity of fluid escaped, deviating 
as much from the natural quality as from the usual quantity : in 
fact, all the secretions appeared more or less deranged. 
After these observations had been made, our attention was di¬ 
rected to that all-important and vital organ the brain, and we re¬ 
moved the parietal and occipital bones. The lesion whicli first 
occupied our attention was unusual vascularity of its external en¬ 
velope (the dura mater); and, on reflecting back this membrane, we 
found an abscess containing pus developed bet ween it and tlie pia 
t 
