THE PATHOLOGY OF SEA-SICKNESS.

811 in 1927 at term. The normal. Delivery was spontaneous as a persistent left occipito-posterior. The child was a healthy female weighing 4 lb. 12 oz. Labour lasted 20hours (first stage 19 hours, second stage 55 minutes, third stage 20 minutes). The puerperium was normal and both mother and child were discharged well.

The third pregnancy took

antenatal period and labour

place were

CASE 4.-The patient, aged 32, had had three normal labours at term and one miscarriage. Her fourth pregnancy The pelvic measurements were : *A.I. 7, was normal. I.C. 9, Ext. C. 7, P.I. 4, the pelvis being slightly small. not felt. She was first attended during the district but was admitted into hospital having been in labour for 20!- hours with obstruction due to a brow presentation. A retraction ring was present and extended nearly up to the umbilicus and the lower uterine segment was much thinned. Her general condition was good and her pulse 100. Caesarean section was performed at once. The sutures used were chromicised and fine catgut. The child was a female weighing 9 lb. 1 oz., probably about three weeks postmature. The puerperium was febrile for one week and was complicated by bronchitis. On discharge the uterus was normal and the abdominal scar well healed. The infant was satisfactory. Her next labour was in 1925, right occipito-anterior, spontaneous, and at term. The child was a female weighing 8lb. 7 oz. The first stage lasted 8 hours, the second 27 minutes, and the third 10 minutes. The puerperium was afebrile and uneventful except for slow involution of the uterus. On discharge the uterus was still slightly bulky but both mother and child were satisfactory. She is now in hospital having had a second normal delivery at term following the Caesarean section. The presentation was a right occipito-anterior. The first stage lasted 7 hours 15 minutes, the second 20 minutes, and the third 40 minutes. The child was a stillborn male. Post-mortem examination showed a tentorial laceration. The reason for the stillbirth is difficult to find as delivery was normal in every way. Her condition during the puerperium is so far satisfactory.

The

promontory was

her fourth labour

on

rhages and much

exudation on examination of the fundi On discharge the patient was improving but had some albuminuria still and a blood pressure of 170. The uterus was normal. In spite of advice the patient again became pregnant. Induction of abortion was performed when her menstrual period was 14 days overdue, and later sterilisation was carried out by means of X rays. The blood pressure was 170/140. It seems probable that in view of the recent statistics on the treatment of eclampsia that Csesarean section should not have been performed in the ordinary course of events on this patient. oculi.

Coininent. It would be interesting if others would collect further cases such as these, and much valuable information might be gleaned from them which would prove helpful in the treatment of future cases, especially those with contracted pelves. In the treatment of contracted pelvis there is the temptation to rely upon Ceesarean section as an easy method of delivery. A considerable number of cases would undoubtedly deliver themselves if the operation were postponed until the effects of labour had been Even in some cases where the prognosis tested. seemed hopeless for any other method of treatment than Caesarean section, the results are excellent when the patient has been allowed to attempt spontaneous delivery. It is the practice now in the Obstetrical Unit in some cases to perform Csesarean section after the patient has been given a trial labour in cases of disproportion and pelvic contraction. The result of this has been a marked diminution in the number of operation cases. The operation is that of the vertical incision high up in the uterus. The uterine incision is now being closed in some cases with four layers of silk sutures-one interrupted layer through the wall avoiding the decidua and peritoneum, one continuous layer between these sutures, one continuous peritoneal layer, and one fine continuous suture to bury the incision entirely. This method of suturing has proved itself so satisfactory that in some cases where a subsequent Caesarean section operation was necessary the scar on the uterus could not be located.

CASE 5.-This patient was 22 years old. Her first pregnancy was in 1920. Her pelvic measurements were : *A.I. 8, LC. 9, Ext. C. 8. She was delivered at term by Caesarean section because of multiple granulomata of the vulva due to syphilis. The abdominal wound became septic and healed slowly. This operation was not performed at the Royal Free Hospital and there is no record of the suture material used. She attended the Royal Free Hospital for her second pregnancy in 1923. She was found to have a I am indebted to Prof. Louise McIlroy for permission positive Wassermann reaction, and an ulcer on the right labium and had appropriate treatment during the antenatal to publish these cases. period. She was allowed to go into labour and forceps were applied during the second stage for fear of rupture of the previous Caesarean scar. The presentation was a right THE PATHOLOGY OF SEA-SICKNESS. occipito-posterior. The first stage lasted 18 hours, the second 45 minutes, and the third 25 minutes. The child was a stillborn male, and post-mortem examination showed BY G. H. ORIEL, M.D. CAMB., that death was probably caused by tentorial lacerations I, LATE SURGEON, CANADIAN PACIFIC STEAMSHIPS. The ’, and cerebral haemorrhage due to stress of delivery. puerperium was febrile and complicated by an acute ulcerative condition of the left tonsil, which after various OEA.-SICKNESS, although an ancient malady, still pathological investigations was thought to be syphilitic. offers scope for investigations as to its pathology and The condition of the uterus was satisfactory on discharge. treatment. The modern traveller more than

6, that of a patient, aged 19, comes under a different category. In 1922 she had her first pregnancy terminated at 38 weeks by Caesarean section for eclampsia. She was admitted unconscious, having had 12 fits before admission. The sutures used were chromicised and fine catgut. The CASE

child died in a few hours. The mother had no further fits after delivery and gradually improved. She was discharged with a trace of albumin and a blood pressure of 160 mm. Hg. The uterus was normal. Two years later she again became pregnant. She was admitted for observation and treatment for albuminuria on three occasions. At 33 weeks she was admitted with eclamptic fits, her blood pressure being 210. The urine was solid with albumin and she had six fits in the space of one and a half hours ; these ceased after venesection. Consciousness was regained nine hours after the last fit. Induction of labour was unsuccessfully attempted by means of a Barnes bag. Four days later a stomach-tube was inserted and delivery was effected by means of forceps two days later. ’During the interval between induction and delivery she had severe headache and blurred vision. She was given potassium bromide, Two syrup of chloral, and scopolamine during labour. hours after delivery she had one fit and regained consciousness six hours later. The child was a male weighing 3 lb. 2 oz. and survived 14 hours. It was examined post mortem and oedema of the brain was found and a slight extra epicranial haemorrhage over the right parietal bone. The puerperium was slightly febrile. There were severe retinal haemor-

expects sympathy from his medical attendant at sea. The following suggestions have been put forward to explain the

of sea-sickness :The labyrinthine theory 12 suggests that upset (a) in balance occasioned by the instability of the ship causes vomiting, just as does revolving in a chair on land. This theory was tested by the writer in a series of patients in two ways : (1) nystagmus was sought in a series of over 5000 patients suffering from" sea-sickness, but was not found ; (2) the " revolving test was performed on a patient in port, 20 revolutions being sufficient to cause nystagmus ; the same number were found necessary to cause the same condition A further when nausea was experienced at sea. observation has been recorded that in the case of three deaf mutes who happened to be travelling together, sick and two were not.3 one was It appears, therefore, that the supporters of this theory should bring forward more evidence to support their view. (b) The neurotic theory postulates that the symptoms are the result of auto-suggestion. It will be shown later that there is a metabolic change present, and a theory will be suggested that may explain the fact that some people are sick even whilst the ship is still in port. There are many other suggestions, such as cause

812

over-feeding, over-drinking, and constipation, which, although possibly contributory, are certainly not the

TABLE V.-Also shows Acidosis before

Vomiting.

10 A.M. 10 A.M. 44 pI3 ..... 5-4 Acetone +

136

main factor. Total acid (per cent.) (c) It has been suggested that sea-sickness is an Mg. of NHe (percent. acidosis,6 and is curable by the administration of Patient vomited at 10.30 A.M. glucose. It was to investigate this theory that the following work was undertaken; to determine These two cases are typical of the results found on whether the acidosis, if present, were the sequel to, examining the urine in the pre-vomiting state. Once or the main cause of, the vomiting. vomiting is established the acidosis becomes much more marked, as there is an added starvation-acidosis The Present Investigation. In bad cases of sea-sickness very high A subject for investigation was taken who was present. ammonia figures were obtained, as, for instance, in the normal in every way-a male aged 30. His blood case shown in Table VI. was analysed and found to have a normal content of urea, blood-sugar, chlorides, and uric acid. Hourly TABLE VI.-Shows Acidosis following Vomiting. 11 A.M. specimens of urine were then taken and analysed for 7 A.M. free acid and ammonia-content. Folin’s method was Total acidity 38 100 265 Mg. of NH. (per cent.)......173 used throughout-i.e., titrating 10 c.cm. of urine 67 5-4 pH against N/lONaOH, and retitrating after the addition Acetone ..........+++....+++ of neutral formalin, using neutral red as an indicator. Diacetic acid ....... + + A three days’ average was obtained, the subject being It is difficult to say how much acidosis is due to kept on a normal diet, the hours of rising, feeding, and sleeping being the same as those at sea. The pH value starvation in such a case, but it is as severe as that .. ..

....

....

..........

TABLE I.-Showing the Normal for the Subject under

Sea at the Commencement of

TABLE II.—.<

a

Storm.

....

Investigation.

Same 11Iethods used

as

in Table I.

B, breakfast ; L, lunch ; D, dinner.

found in diabetic coma. A patient in a condition of was obtained by the capillator method, blue as acidosis and indicators. red following sea-sickness is semi-unconscious methyl bromothymol using Acetone was tested for by the sodium nitroprusside and dyspnoeic, with a very feeble pulse. It must be method (Table I.). by a deepening of this coma that deaths from seaThe same methods were used whilst at sea at the sickness occur, although I was fortunately unable to commencement of a storm. The departure from port investigate such a case owing to lack of opportunity. The fact that acidosis was found in the pre-vomiting took place during the night (Table II.). As the subject for investigation had been kept on the same diet as stage suggested that the blood-sugar might show previously, it is fair to compare the figures in Tables I. alteration in this stage, and this matter was investiIt will be appreciated that blood-sugar and II. During the day the results shown in Table II. gated. estimations are not easily carried out during storms at were obtained, nausea was experienced as shown in the table, but no vomiting, and the usual food was taken. sea, but every care was exercised to obtain accurate It will be seen that the percentage of ammonia is results. Folin and Wu’s colorimetric method was much higher, all day, when the ship was pitching, used throughout. Table VII. shows the blood-sugar of the same person from whom Tables 1. and II. were especially when nausea was experienced. Thus : compiled, while he was suffering from the premonitory TABLE III. symptoms. of the urine

In port.... At sea

8 A.M. 88-4 129

10 ....

....

A.M.

34 85

....

....

5 P.M. 44-2 68

11 ....

....

P.M.

’

TABLE VII.

70 136

At these times acetone was also present. It is clear that a condition of acidosis is present before vomiting commences. This was confirmed in other cases in which there was no opportunity of obtaining hourly specimens and of studying the cases in detail, but in which samples of urine were obtained during the prevomiting stage. Tables IV. and V. illustrate the

results. TABLE

IV.-Shotving

Acidosis before Vomiting.

10 A.M. 14 17 6-9 ............ pH ....* ...... — Acetone

Total acid (per cent.) M. of NH. (per cent.)

Patient vomited at 5.30

......

....

......

....

P.M.

....

....

5 P.M. 38 78 5-6 +

B.

L.

D.

B, breakfast: L, lunch ; D, dinner.

It will be seen that there is a preliminary hyperglycsenua, followed by a hypoglycaemia, accompanied by acetonuria and increase of ammonia excretion. The hyperglycsenua is not very marked, 0-16 being

813

highest

that

shown that in normal persons the bloodsugar may be raised even beyond the renal leak-point by emotional disturbance. It is reasonable to suppose that the combination of worry of departure, new surroundings, and stimuli to the sympathetic system by the motion of the boat cause an initial rise of blood-sugar. The succeeding fall is presumably due to exhaustion of glycogen reserve. One finds that if passengers can be persuaded to eat plenty of fruit and carbohydrates and to avoid fats, that they are never violently sick. The common error is to avoid food, which, of course, leads to early exhaustion of the glycogen reserve. Acidosis is the inevitable sequel. Once this train of events is in progress other factors, such as inability to take food and constant vomiting, tend to make the acidosis more severe. The administration of glucose reduces the acidosis by oxidation of the ketones and allows food to be taken normally. It has occurred to me that it would be advisable to administer small doses of insulin with a large dose of glucose to those cases which are not cured -by the administration of glucose alone, in the same way that this procedure has been adopted with success in hyperemesis of pregnancy by V. J. Harding, of Toronto. I have not tried this, hoping that others more experienced in the method will advise me as

case of not detected in any urines tested in cases of incipient sea-sickness, but a rise in blood-sugar was constantly found. Estimations of blood-sugar were also made in the case of persons in whom sickness was firmly established. In these cases the blood-sugar was found to be uniformly low, although it might be argued that this was the result of starvation. Glucose was given in doses of 3 drachms (gr. clxxx.) to more than 1000 patients with seasickness, and the following results were noted. The effect observed in well-established cases was much superior to that obtained by the exhibition of other remedies such as atropine and strychnine, belladonna, chloral, bromidesalkalis, and the various patent remedies. When glucose is administered to a wellestablished case acetone disappears from the urine, diuresis takes place, and ammonia excretion is lowered, with a corresponding increase in total acidity in the urine. Pari passu with the metabolic change there is an improvement in the general condition, and headache is abolished. The occurrence of diuresis is interesting and similar in nature to that which occurs after the other acidoses such as postvomiting and cyclic vomiting.6 The effect anaesthetic of giving glucose is also good in the pre-vomiting stage, and here again acetone isabolished. It is an undoubted fact, however, that glucose administered to a wellestablished case is much more dramatic in its effect than in the pre-vomiting stage. Table VIII. shows a severe case treated with glucose in doses of 3 drachms :TABLE VIII.

the

diabetics ; also,

was

sugar

found, except in the

repeatedly

was

to its

feasibility.

My thanks are due to the Canadian Pacific Steamships for facilitating this work, and to Prof. E. C. Dodds and Dr. A. A. Osman for their and invaluable criticism.

kindly

interest

References. 1. Ribolla, R. : Jour. Trop. Med., Feb. 15th, 1926, p. 59. 2. Desnoes, P. H. : Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc., 1926, lxxxvi., p. 319 (contains summary of current views and references). 3. James, J. R. : Amer. Jour. Otol., quoted by Stocker in Allbutt’s System of Medicine. 4. Jones, Sydney : Brit. Med. Jour., 1925, i., 139. 5. Moxey, Vincent: Brit. Med. Jour., 1924, ii., 1040. 6. Ross, S. G., and Josephs, H. W.: Amer. Jour. Dis. of Child., 1924, xxviii., 447.

THE

USE

OF LISTON’S LONG SPLINT

IN THE TREATMENT OF FRACTURE OF THE FEMUR.

If the vomiting is severe and glucose cannot be retained for 15 minutes (in which time a large portion is absorbed) it has been given with successboth intravenously and rectally. Table IX. shows a prevomiting case treated with glucose. No vomiting had taken place nor did it subsequently occur.

BY ROBERT MARTIN, L.R.C.P. EDIN.

long splint, which was so much used in early days in the treatment of fracture of the femur, appears to be going out of fashion. Possibly its successors are better in themselves, but do they LISTON’S

my

TABLE IX.

I

C’0/MMM. show therefore : (a) That Experiments

labyrinthine

disturbances, if present, do not give rise to nystagmus

I

to alteration in labyrinthine tests. That auto-suggestion is not wholly responsible, as there is a distinct metabolic upset found in the pre-vomiting stage, as shown by (1) hyperglycaemia followed by hypoglycfpmia ; (2) increased ammonia excretion ; and (3) the presence of acetone in the urine. (c) That when vomiting is established there is a very severe acidosis, as indicated by excretion of ammonia up to 265 mg. per cent., and the presence of much acetone and diacetic acid in the urine. (d) That the administration of glucose causes diuresis, abolition of acetonuria. and a fall in the ammonia excretion, resulting clinically in the relief of or

(b)

Senudiagrammatic tracing from radiogram to show final position of the fragments.

give better results and

symptoms.

It is often found that diabetics show a much higher content when worried, and it has been

blood-sugar

I

more comfort to the patient ? I have treated two cases of fracture of the femur with this splint-namely, a CT-se of simple fracture of the lower third with absolutely no shortening