Report and commentary on a series of cases of "acute osteomyelitis"

(1) That osteomyelitis is in most cases primarily a disease of the metaphyseal region of the long bones. (2) That there is frequently a history of trauma, and pre-existing septic foci; but in many cases it may be impossible to trace the real origin of the infection. (3) That the systemic and local manifestations of the disease vary within wide limits, and such variation is not wholly dependent on the nature of the causal organism. (4) That pyogenic metastases occur. (5) That two forms of the disease may be recognised, one in which the general systemic disturbance is predominant, and the other in which the local manifestation constitutes the major feature. The methods of treatment applicable in any case, and the prognosis of the case, differ in these two types. (6) The treatment of the local lesion is of secondary importance to the measures adopted to combat the systemic disturbance and where these are marked only minimal local measures are advocated. (7) That it is doubtful if osteomyelitis is ever completely cured; recrudescence may occur after many years. (8) No matter how prompt and how successful the treatment may be, recovery is slow, and healing long delayed. (9) That improvement of immediate mortality statis- :tics will be improved not by improved local operative technique, but by the introduction of measures capable of combating more effectively the general septicaemia. (10) Education of the general public, better general hygiene of the skin, and improved diet are necessary if we are to hope for eradication of the disease or the train of sequelae.

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Edinburgh

Year dc:date.issued

1932

Author dc:creator

• Macfarlane, James

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1842/35011

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:era.ed.ac.uk:1842/35011