Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine [498]
proof that the functions of the testicles had not been affected by the disease.
There are several old accounts of scrotal tumors which have evidently been elephantoid in conformation. In the Ephemerides in 1692 there was mentioned a tumor of the scrotum weighing 200 pounds. In the West Indies it was reported that rats have been known to feed on these enormous tumors, while the deserted subjects lay in a most helpless condition. Larrey mentioned a case of elephantiasis of the scrotum in which the tumor weighed over 200 pounds. Sir Astley Cooper removed a tumor of 56 pounds weight from a Chinese laborer. It extended from beneath the umbilicus to the anterior border of the anus; it had begun in the prepuce ten years previously. Clot-Bey removed an elephantoid tumor of the scrotum weighing 80 pounds, performing castration at the same time. Alleyne reports a case of elephantiasis, in which he successfully removed a tumor of the integuments of the scrotum and penis weighing 134 pounds.
Bicet mentions a curious instance of elephantiasis of the penis and scrotum which had existed for five years. The subject was in great mental misery and alarm at his unsightly condition. The parts of generation were completely buried in the huge mass. An operation was performed in which all of the diseased structures that had totally unmanned him were removed, the true organs of generation escaping inviolate. Thebaud mentions a tumor of the scrotum, the result of elephantiasis, which weighed 63 1/2 pounds. The weight was ascertained by placing the tumor on the scales, and directing the patient to squat over them without resting any weight of the body on the scales. This man could readily feel his penis, although his surgeons could not do so. The bladder was under perfect control, the urine flowing over a channel on the exterior of the scrotum, extending 18 inches from the meatus. Despite his infirmity this patient had perfect sexual desire, and occasional erections and emissions. A very interesting operation was performed with a good recovery.
Partridge reports an enormous scrotal tumor which was removed from a Hindoo of fifty-five, with subsequent recovery of the subject. The tumor weighed 111 1/2 pounds. The ingenious technic of this operation is well worth perusal by those interested. Goodman successfully removed an elephantiasis of the scrotum from a native Fiji of forty-five. The tumor weighed 42 pounds, without taking into consideration the weight of the fluid which escaped in abundance during the operation and also after the operation, but before it was weighed. Van Buren and Keyes mention a tumor of the scrotum of this nature weighing 165 pounds. Quoted by Russell, Hendy describes the case of a negro who had successive attacks of glandular swelling of the scrotum, until finally the scrotum was two feet long and six feet in circumference. It is mentioned that mortification of the part caused this patient's ultimate death.
Figure 281 is taken from a photograph loaned to the authors by Dr. James Thorington. The patient was a native of Fiji, and was successfully operated on, with preservation of the testes. The tumor, on removal, weighed 120 pounds.
W. R. Browne, Surgeon-General, reports from the Madras General Hospital an operation on a patient of thirty-five with elephantoid scrotum of six years' duration. The proportions of the scrotum were as follows: Horizontally the circumference was six feet 6 1/2 inches, and vertically the circumference was six feet ten inches. The penis was wholly hidden, and the urine passed from an opening two feet 5 1/2 inches from the pubis. The man had complete control of his bladder, but was unable to walk. The operation for removal occupied one hour and twenty minutes, and the tumor removed weighed 124 3/4 pounds. Little blood was lost on account of an elastic cord tied about the neck of the tumor. and secured by successful removal of a scrotal tumor weighing 56 pounds.
Fenger describes a case of the foregoing nature in a German of twenty-three, a resident of Chicago. The growth had commenced
There are several old accounts of scrotal tumors which have evidently been elephantoid in conformation. In the Ephemerides in 1692 there was mentioned a tumor of the scrotum weighing 200 pounds. In the West Indies it was reported that rats have been known to feed on these enormous tumors, while the deserted subjects lay in a most helpless condition. Larrey mentioned a case of elephantiasis of the scrotum in which the tumor weighed over 200 pounds. Sir Astley Cooper removed a tumor of 56 pounds weight from a Chinese laborer. It extended from beneath the umbilicus to the anterior border of the anus; it had begun in the prepuce ten years previously. Clot-Bey removed an elephantoid tumor of the scrotum weighing 80 pounds, performing castration at the same time. Alleyne reports a case of elephantiasis, in which he successfully removed a tumor of the integuments of the scrotum and penis weighing 134 pounds.
Bicet mentions a curious instance of elephantiasis of the penis and scrotum which had existed for five years. The subject was in great mental misery and alarm at his unsightly condition. The parts of generation were completely buried in the huge mass. An operation was performed in which all of the diseased structures that had totally unmanned him were removed, the true organs of generation escaping inviolate. Thebaud mentions a tumor of the scrotum, the result of elephantiasis, which weighed 63 1/2 pounds. The weight was ascertained by placing the tumor on the scales, and directing the patient to squat over them without resting any weight of the body on the scales. This man could readily feel his penis, although his surgeons could not do so. The bladder was under perfect control, the urine flowing over a channel on the exterior of the scrotum, extending 18 inches from the meatus. Despite his infirmity this patient had perfect sexual desire, and occasional erections and emissions. A very interesting operation was performed with a good recovery.
Partridge reports an enormous scrotal tumor which was removed from a Hindoo of fifty-five, with subsequent recovery of the subject. The tumor weighed 111 1/2 pounds. The ingenious technic of this operation is well worth perusal by those interested. Goodman successfully removed an elephantiasis of the scrotum from a native Fiji of forty-five. The tumor weighed 42 pounds, without taking into consideration the weight of the fluid which escaped in abundance during the operation and also after the operation, but before it was weighed. Van Buren and Keyes mention a tumor of the scrotum of this nature weighing 165 pounds. Quoted by Russell, Hendy describes the case of a negro who had successive attacks of glandular swelling of the scrotum, until finally the scrotum was two feet long and six feet in circumference. It is mentioned that mortification of the part caused this patient's ultimate death.
Figure 281 is taken from a photograph loaned to the authors by Dr. James Thorington. The patient was a native of Fiji, and was successfully operated on, with preservation of the testes. The tumor, on removal, weighed 120 pounds.
W. R. Browne, Surgeon-General, reports from the Madras General Hospital an operation on a patient of thirty-five with elephantoid scrotum of six years' duration. The proportions of the scrotum were as follows: Horizontally the circumference was six feet 6 1/2 inches, and vertically the circumference was six feet ten inches. The penis was wholly hidden, and the urine passed from an opening two feet 5 1/2 inches from the pubis. The man had complete control of his bladder, but was unable to walk. The operation for removal occupied one hour and twenty minutes, and the tumor removed weighed 124 3/4 pounds. Little blood was lost on account of an elastic cord tied about the neck of the tumor. and secured by successful removal of a scrotal tumor weighing 56 pounds.
Fenger describes a case of the foregoing nature in a German of twenty-three, a resident of Chicago. The growth had commenced