The skin was
edematous and thickened. Throughout both breasts were to be felt
hardened movable masses, the size of oranges. Microscopic
examination showed the growth to be a diffused intracanalicular
fibroma. A peculiar case was presented before the Faculty at
Montpellier. The patient was a young girl of fifteen and a half
years. After a cold bath, just as the menses were appearing, it
was found that the breasts were rapidly increasing in size; she
was subsequently obliged to leave service on account of their
increased size, and finally the deformity was so great as to
compel her to keep from the public view. The circumference of the
right breast was 94 cm. and of the left 105 cm.; the pedicle of
the former measured 67 cm. and of the latter 69 cm.; only the
slightest vestige of a nipple remained. Removal was advocated, as
applications of iodin had failed; but she would not consent to
operation. For eight years the hypertrophy remained constant,
but, despite this fact, she found a husband. After marriage the
breasts diminished, but she was unable to suckle either of her
three children, the breasts becoming turgid but never lactescent.
The hypertrophy diminished to such a degree that, at the age of
thirty-two, when again pregnant, the circumference of the right
breast was only 27 cm.
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