A Manual of Pathological Anatomy (Volume 3-4) - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1855. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... § 5. Separations of Continuity. Separations of continuity occur under the forms of laceration of varying depth at any part of the valve, from the margin towards its insertion --as perforation of the valve at different parts more or less remote from the margin--and as a loosening of the valve at the margin of its insertion; and affect the auriculo-ventricular as well as the arterial valves. Commonly only one or other of these forms occurs; occasionally, however, several are present either in one or more of the valves. One very important form of lcesio continui, which does not affect the valve throughout its whole thickness, but only one of the layers of endocardium and a certain portion of its fibrous tissue, is especially worthy of notice, since it constitutes the basis of aneurism of the valves, to which we shall refer more fully in the sequel. These lacerations of the valves are occasioned by disease of the valvular tissues, arising chiefly from their gelatinous condition; next in frequency, by inflammation (endocarditis); and, lastly, by the loosening of the tissue which accompanies inflammation of the valves. Lacerations of the valves are not only highly important, from the circumstance that their existence presupposes a high degree of the diseases we have already named, but also from their giving rise to valvular insufficiency. § 6. Diseases of Texture. To these belong: a. Inflammation (endocarditis) of the valves, which is by far the most frequently observed. This disease is especially important from its results, that is to say, from the morbid changes of the valves to which it gives rise, and the various heart-diseases depending upon the latter alterations. Endocarditis, as we have already observed, especially affects the valvular system, which ...