MENSURATION OF TIIE ABDOMEN.
The external measurements may be obtained by means of a pelvimeter, and a measuring tape in the ordinary way. Mensuration, however, is especially important for noting the rapidity and manner of growth of the abdominal tumors. It goes without saying that the results of each measurement must be recorded, for it is impossible from only one to two measurements to judge of the behavior of organs which change constantly in position and in size, as well as in their integumentary cover ing. The larger the tumor in the abdomen, the less in general will be the error in measurement from great compression of the intestines, and from thinning out of the abdominal parietes. It is also self-evident that exact measurements are only obtainable in case of a certain degree of convexity of the abdomen, since otherwise the tape cannot be uniformly approximated.
For purposes of mensuration an inelastic tape, of linen or leather, divided into centimeters, should be used. The most important measure
ments are: the circumference of the abdomen at the umbilicus, the greatest circumference, the distance from the umbilicus to the symphy sis and the ensiform cartilage, the distance of the umbilicus and the margin of the greatest circumference from the anterior superior spinous processes of the ilium of either side, possibly to the middle of Poupart'a ligament, and finally the distance of one spinous process of the spinal column from the lines alba. The measurements should be made along the uncovered body in the standing posture, or better still in the recum bent, and the tape should be applied at each measurement along the same part of the body. A much more exact idea of the shape of the abdomen may be obtained by means of a kyrtometer, or else by using a malleable metal band, which may be moulded closely to the abdominal wall, and retains its shape.
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