3.45 p.m. Was seized with a fit, throwing her arms up over her head, and then appearing as if comatose. In about twenty minutes revived: the lips began to quiver, and she gradually became conscious, saying, “I want a knife—I want blood!” She asked for the matron’s hand, that she might bite it off.
[The fit coming on earlier on this day was doubtless due to excitement consequent on her removal.]
5 p.m. Mr. Baker Brown saw her; as soon as he came near her, she seized his shoulder with great violence; was wild, and would not answer questions; but gradually became soothed, and allowed an examination.
Externally, the abdomen showed signs of a child having been born, and the mammæ had certainly contained milk. The clitoris was enlarged and hard; the nymphæ long and flabby; the mucous membrane roughened and discoloured.
Per vaginam, the uterus was found to be retroverted; there was also a fissure of the rectum.
Operation, 5.30 p.m. Was very violent under the first attempts to administer chloroform. She was long in being brought under its influence, but when once thoroughly anæsthetized, bore it exceedingly well.
The clitoris was excised, the elongated nymphæ removed, and the fissure of the rectum divided. The wounds were dressed in the usual manner, and the patient having had two grains of opium administered, was ordered to be constantly watched.
In twenty minutes awoke from the chloroform. Was calm, and slept at intervals during the night.
Feb. 7, 10 a.m. Visited by Mr. B. Brown. Present—Mr. I. B. Brown, junior, House-Surgeon, and Matron. Pulse quick but steady; tongue brown and furred; breath offensive; gums spongy; pupil natural; countenance rather flushed; skin moist and warm.
The following answers were given to questions asked of her by Mr. Brown, seventeen hours after operation, and are in her own words; much, however, of the information was volunteered without questions:—