CHAPTER XXIV.
Nine Radiograph Illustrations of Mucus Channels and Cavities.
I am indebted to Dr. Caldwell, of New York, at whose laboratory my patients were radiographed for the very excellent illustrations; and also to Dr. Albright of Philadelphia, for his assistance in the radiograph work, while attending my clinic, and who, later, with rare skill and scholarly ability, presented my discoveries in a large volume, entitled; A Practical Treatise on Rectal Diseases, Their Diagnosis and Treatment.
The following illustrations can only give a hint of the pathological conditions that existed. Fig. 1 shows seven, and Fig. 2, eight probes inserted, which by no means indicate the number of channels or size of the cavities; twenty-five to fifty or more probes inserted would more accurately indicate the excursions of the inflammatory exudate.
The seven following illustrations, in which Bismuth Paste was injected, did not meet my expectations in showing the pathological conditions that existed. The disappointment was largely due to a desire not to cause annoyance to my patients, who so kindly consented, in the interest of science, to being radiographed. In all cases the paste extended over a much greater area than a casual glance at the illustrations would indicate. The probes and paste were not inserted with the idea of making a diagnosis, but simply to suggest research on the subject by proctologists. All the cases radiographed suffered from proctitis, sigmoiditis, periproctitis, and perisigmoiditis.
Fig. 1.
Radiograph showing tube (1) in the rectum; 2, probe inserted 83⁄4 inches; probes 2 and 4 pass on left side of rectum; 3 and 5 pass on the right; all pass into perirectal spaces; three probes are seen under the integument.
Fig. 2.
Radiograph showing tube (1) in the rectum; probes 2, 4, 6, passed on the left and front of the rectum; 3 passed forward; 5 under the integument along the spine; 7, 8, and 9 probes passed to scrotum and thigh.