Aneurism after Venesection cured by flexion of the Limb.—M. A.
Thierry has lately published, in the Revue Clinique, a case of false aneur-
ism at the bend of the elbow, occurring after bleeding from the arm, which
he successfully treated in the following manner:—The arm was forcibly
flexed, the limb carried over the head, and the hand fixed on the opposite
cheek. The patient remained in this painful position for five days, after
which time it was changed to that which M. Velpeau generally adopts
for fracture of the clavicle—viz., the arm fixed across the chest, and the
opposite shoulder. A fortnight after the beginning of this treatment,
the tumor was reduced to the size of a nut; the arm was then kept in
the same position for another fortnight, after which no sign of any pul-
sating tumor remained. M. Nelaton, who saw the patient, considered
the case a very remarkable one, as the aneurism has disappeared, and the
vessel remains permeable at the seat of the wound. M. Thierry very
justly says, that one case is not sufficient to prove the efficacy of any
method of treatment, but that the results here obtained are well worthy
of attention; he thinks that further trials will perhaps lead surgeons to
treat aneurisms of the limbs by forced flexion, femoral aneurism by flexion
of the thigh upon the pelvis, and popliteal aneurism by flexing that leg up-
on the thigh. If we mistake not, M. Thierry’s method is founded upon
the principle of pressure, and carried out with a great deal of pain and in-
convenience to the patient. If the flow of arterial blood through the sac
can be graduated, moderated, and rendered very slow by simple and pain-
less means (as is proved by experience,) it is cruel to torture patients by
placing them for a whole month in the position given by the immortal
statuary toLaocoon.—Lancet.