in circumference at the base, having a vertical
diameter of 17 cm. and a transverse diameter of 13 cm. It had no
pedicle and was fixed, showing unequal consistency. At birth this
tumor was about the size of a pigeon's egg. A diagnosis of
dermoid cyst was made and two operations were performed on the
boy, death following the second. The skeleton showed interesting
conditions; the rectum and pelvic organs were natural, and the
contents of the cyst verified the diagnosis.
Quite similar to the cases of fetus in fetu are the instances of
dermoid cysts. For many years they have been a mystery to
physiologists, and their origin now is little more than
hypothetic. At one time the fact of finding such a formation in
the ovary of an unmarried woman was presumptive evidence that she
was unchaste; but this idea was dissipated as soon as examples
were reported in children, and to-day we have a well-defined
difference between congenital and extrauterine pregnancy. Dermoid
cysts of the ovary may consist only of a wall of connective
tissue lined with epidermis and containing distinctly epidermic
scales which, however, may be rolled up in firm masses of a more
or less soapy consistency; this variety is called by Orth
epidermoid cyst; or, according to Warren, a form of cyst made up
of skin containing small and ill-defined papillae, but rich in
hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
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