The great
sciatic nerve was found hanging 15 inches from the stump, having
given way from its division in the popliteal space. The child
died in twelve hours. One of the most interesting features of the
case was the rapid cooling of the body after the accident and
prolongation of the coolness with slight variations until death
ensued. Ashurst remarks that while the cutaneous surface of the
stump was acutely sensitive to the touch, there was no
manifestation of pain evinced upon handling the exposed nerve.
With reference to injuries to the sciatic nerve, Kuster mentions
the case of a strong man of thirty, who in walking slipped and
fell on his back. Immediately after rising to his feet he felt
severe pain in the right leg and numbness in the foot. He was
unable to stand, and was carried to his house, where Kuster found
him suffering great pain. The diagnosis had been fracture of the
neck of the femur, but as there was no crepitation and passive
movements caused but little pain, Kuster suspected rupture of the
sciatic nerve. The subsequent history of the case confirmed this
diagnosis. The patient was confined to bed six weeks, and it was
five months afterward before he was able to go about, and then
only with a crutch and a stick.
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