Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 142
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
DescriptionThe veins of an arm showing the effects of venal inflammation (phlebitis) following blood letting.
The cephalic vein (seen here on the right) is distended through most of its length by a firm blood clot (thrombus), with the vein walls in this area thick and tough, in contrast to the areas unaffected by the clot which appear to be healthy. The median-cephalic, median-basilic and lower part of the basilic veins are similarly affected by blood clots and inflammation.
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of tissue mounted in a circular glass jar with glass lid.
Materialglass (material)
Dimensions
whole height: 282 mm
whole diameter: 61 mm
whole weight: 1186 g
whole diameter: 61 mm
whole weight: 1186 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 1, page 81.
NotesText taken from Stanley & Paget (1846-9), Paget (1882-5), and Shattock (1909-19).
TranscriptThe veins of an arm, exhibiting some of the effects of phlebitis after venesection. The cephalic vein (on the right hand side of the preparation) is distended through nearly its whole length by a firm clot of blood, which at the upper part becomes smaller, and tapers to a narrow flat band, which adheres firmly by one of its surfaces to the adjacent wall of the vein The walls of the vein, laid open at this and at the lower part, appear healthy, but, in the intermediate portion, thick and tough. The median-cephalic and median-basilic veins, and the lower part of the basilic vein, are similarly filled with firm round clots. The upper part of the basilic vein is pervious, but its inner coat is discoloured, being, probably blood-stained.
There can be little doubt that the following is the history of the case; (See Case Books, Cases & Dissections, No. 77).
SourceHunter Casebooks
Cases & Dissections, No. 77, page 612.
NotesInflammation of the Arm after Bleeding. (Also in Proger 1966-72.)
TranscriptMr. ________, wheelwright, Edgware Road received a blow on the right side of the Nose and Cheek, which stunned him, but [he] soon recovered on the immediate effects of the blow.
He was bled, &c. but the orifice in the arm opened, and he bled again. An inflammation came on, on the arm, which was very severe, and a suppuration at the orifice took place. He was taken with Stupor, sleepiness, and sickness at [the] Stomach. The question was, whether these Symptoms were owning to the blow, or [the] arm. I was of the opinion they belonged to the Blow; and that there was a slow extravasation of blood in the Brain somewhere; for he had recovered of the concussion, and it was too early for Suppuration. He continued in this way for eleven days, but we thought he was rather better:- however, on the Twelfth day he was taken with a most violent shivering fit; cold as possible, after which he became hot, and a profuse sweat came on, but he remained all that day very low, and debilitated, and his arm has less of the florid red. We now begin to entertain but a bad opinion of his, and suspected mischief of the Suppurative kind in the Brain; but next day (the Thirteenth day) he was considerably better, which dissipated our fears; on the fourteenth day still better. But on the Fifteenth, he was taken in some degree Comatose, lost the power of speech, and in a day or two he died.
On opening the head we found bloody water in the ventricles. And on examining the Veins of the Arm, I found the Cephalic Vein obliterated as high as the Deltoid Muscle; and some way down the Arm, the Cephalic Median, as also the Basilic Median were obliterated; likewise the Basilic some way down the Arm; and the Brachial artery was obliterated nearly as high as the axilla.
These obliterations were formed by the blood coagulating and adhering to the insides of the Veins.
SourceHunter 1793a
27-29
NotesThis paper contains Hunter's comments on the dangers of bloodletting, and the best means of preventing infection.
SourceClift 1830 Part 1
NotesCatalogue number 17
TranscriptVeiIis inflamed in consequence of venaesection. The cephalic vein is filled with coagulated lymph.
SourceClift 1830-1831
TranscriptInflamed vein. From Bleeding. Written on the top in white paint by Robt. Haynes.
