Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 150
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
DescriptionPart of the apex of a heart, with its cavity filled by numerous small bodies.
The bodies, composed of an exterior of firm fibrous laminae and interior of soft fibrine, are collected among the muscular bundles of both ventricles. The apex of the left ventricle, where one of the largest bodies is attached, appears thin and white as if hardened from inflammation. These features may be the result of a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
The patient in this case was described in Hunter's casebooks as 'Colonel Graham', and was most probably Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Graham, formerly of the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot, better known as the Black Watch. Graham died in the parish of St Martin's-in-the-fields in 1773.
Production date Probable 1773
Preparator
Owner/user
Patient/subject
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: 158 mm
whole diameter: 104 mm
whole weight: 1314 g
whole diameter: 104 mm
whole weight: 1314 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 1, pages 88-9.
NotesText taken from Stanley & Paget (1846-9), and Paget (1882-5).
TranscriptThe apex of a heart in which bodies of the same kind as those last described but smaller and more numerous, are collected among the muscular fasciculi of both ventricles. The apex of the left ventricle, to the inner surface of which one of the largest bodies is attached, appears thin and partially white, as if indurated.
SourceHunter Casebooks
Dissections of Morbid Bodies, No. 156, pages 380-1.
NotesOn the Appearance on Opening the Body of Colonel Graham.
TranscriptOn taking off the skull and dura mater we found the cellular membrane of the Pia mater every where on the upper part of the two hemispheres loaded with a very limpid Water. On slicing off the upper part of the two hemispheres, and exposing the two lateral ventricles, we found them fuller of water than what is common in a perfect sound state: and also those cavities longer than common; so that the quantity of water might be three or four ounces, but perfectly clear.
Some of the arteries of the Pia mater were ossified in some parts, but not remarkably so. Every other part of the brain appeared to be perfectly sound.
The lungs did not adhere in any part to the pleura excepting at their upper points. They appeared sound every where excepting on the right side; a part on the lower lobe was more dense than common, or even any other part of the same lungs [?]: however, this appeared to be owing only to extravasated water in the cellular membrane of that part. The posterior part of the cavity of the chest on the same side was smeared over with red blood, but we saw no appearance of ruptured vessels. On examining the Heart, we found, at the apex of the left ventricle, and for [about] an inch further on, that the substance was thinner, more flabby, than usual, and of a more livid colour. Within the cavity, [&] near the apex, it was filled up with a substance for a considerable way. The surface of this, next to the cavity of the Ventricle and circulating blood, was firm like coagulated blood of long standing, in the centre of which was a half-coagulated blood. In many places, between the fasciculi near the Apex were a number of small bodies , as it were peeping through between them, which were of the same substance with the former.
Something of the same kind we found in the right ventricle, which shew the nature of the Disease better than the left. It would almost seem to be a circumscribed portion of Blood entangled in the fascicula of the ventricle: the outsides of it coagulating whilst the Centre kept almost fluid ; which formed a kind of cavity. The external surface of all of them were smooth and white, as if washed clean of the red blood, by the motion of the circulating blood.
Perhaps after they were once formed, they accumulated by attaching the coagulable part of the blood as if it was passing in and out of the Heart. But how the Blood could stagnate at the first is not easily explained : Or was it an exudation of the coagulable lymph, as we find in other Cavities, and even in the Veins, where the Blood is also in motion.
SourceClift 1830 Part 1
NotesCatalogue number 361
TranscriptA portion of the apex of a heart, showing a similar formation in both ventricles.
SourceThurman 1838
Pages 213-214.
NotesA description of the dissection of Colonel Graham and the discovery of aneurism of the heart and disease of the lungs.
