Varick
THEODORE ROMEYN, an American surgeon; born in Dutchess co., N. Y., June 24, 1825; was graduated at the Medical Department of the New York University in 1846. He settled in Jersey City, N. J., in 1848; and became famous as a surgeon. He introduced the VARICOSE VEINS use of cocaine in capital amputations, and was the first in the United States to employ the method of Trendelenberg in performing amputations at the hip joint. He also perfected a method for the use of hot water in surgery, by which he performed the largest number of successful operations known to his time, failing in only three cases out of 54. He originated, too, the use of hot water in checking the ooze in laparotomy.
His publications include "Urticaria Produced by Hydrocyanic Acid"; "Complete Luxation of the Radius and Ulna to the Radical Side"; "Distal Compression in Inguinal Aneurism"; "The Use of Hot Water in Surgery"; "Protective Treatment of Open Wounds"; etc. He died in Jersey City, N. J., Nov. 23, 1887. superficial VARICOSE VEINS. When a vein becomes dilated at a certain part of its course, for no apparent physiological object, such as relieving the venous circulation elsewhere (as, for example, in the case of the superficial abdominal veins enlarging in order to relieve a compressed vena cava), it is said to be varicose, the actual dilatation being called a varix (a word used in this sense by Cicero and Celsus). Some veins seem to be unaffected by varices, which, however, are of common occurrence in the sub-mucous veins of the rectum (constituting hemorrhoids or often piles), in the spermatic veins, giving rise to varicocele, and in the veins of the lower extremities. They are occasionally (but very rarely) found in other veins. Certain conditions of the system favor the formation of varices, among which may be noticed an indolent temperament, and a debilitated condition of the general system, accompanied by a relaxed state of the walls of the veins; and possibly also a congenital predisposition or hereditary tendency. Persons with such a disposition are more likely to suffer from this affection if their occupation is one which involves much standing or walking; and cooks, washerwomen, and foot-soldiers have been selected as specially prone to varicose veins. Varices may occur at almost any period of life, but are chiefly developed during middle age. Their formation is aided by any condition of the system which impedes the circulation, as certain diseases of the heart, lungs, and liver, and by continued high living, which is especially liable to induce hemorrhoids. Direct pressure on the veins, e. g., by the use of garters, or by habitual constipation, is often an important factor in their production.
From the researches of Andral, it appears that in varicose veins the coats of VARNA the dilated vessels may become thickened or may become thin; that they be lengthened so that the veins become tortuous; and that the dilation may be unequal, and that, in consequence of the enlarged caliber of the vessels, the valves only act imperfectly, and gradually undergo degeneration.