PALPITATION: ITS DIAGNOSTIC VALUE

J.Milner Fothergill
1870 The Lancet  
The child was backward in intelligence, though it could say a few simple words. C'"'ro7iic -U-gdrocep7taitts; dini.7*izvtion of the size of the 7teacl '!l1t-der external preSS'lt?'e, coel-liver oil, iron, and diuretics.-Franklin M——, thirteen months old, came under my care at the Children's Hospital in May, 1865. His head had been enlarging out of proportion to his body since he was four months old, and had attained a circumference of 22 inches. The fontanelle was open, and the eyes were
more » ... ed. The child was very rickety, as appeared from the swollen condition of the ends of the ribs and of the radii. There were occasional attacks of convulsion. The head was encircled by an elastic bandage, while medicinal treatment was directed both towards the improvement of the rickety state and the removal of the accumulated fluid. Cod-liver oil was given, often with iodide of iron ; while iodide of potassium and nitre were administered at the same time for the sake of their diuretic action. Under this treatment the circumference of the head was, in the space of four months, reduced from 22 inches to 20 inches. It is not necessary to follow in detail the progress of the case. The bandage was constantly worn, and renewed when needful. The diuretics were varied by the addition of digitalis and acetate of potass, and care was taken to keep the bowels loose. Under this treatment the head ceased to enlarge, the skull became completely ossified, and the child got fatter and improved in intelligence. It was last seen in the summer of 1868, then being between four and five years old. The disproportionate size of the head was less conspicuous owing to the natural growth of the body. The head was then completely ossified, all traces of the fontanelles having disappeared. It was thickly covered with hair, and with this addition measured 2 t 2 to 21i inches round. The eyes were natural in position, the pupils being equidistant between the lids. There had been no convulsions for eighteen months. The child was sensible, but appeared to be somewhat deficient in memory. He could talk in simple words. He was fat, and had grown much, so that the size of the head was much less conspicuous. The bandage, which had been worn for three years, was now discontinued, and all medicines were stopped as no longer necessary. All tendency to morbid enlargement of the head had ceased, and the general health was good.
doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)61770-2 fatcat:cxwke3bljnhnxhibupg6klynbm