Haematein and Haematemesis

HAEMATEIN, haematein, a product of the oxidation or so-called ripening of haematoxylin (see), is the basis of the staining properties. Haematemesis has the greatest clinical significance in the context of gastric hemorrhages. The latter may be the result of: a) a disease of the stomach itself; b) changes in other organs that cause a disturbance of blood circulation in the walls of the stomach; c) general changes in the blood and vessels throughout the entire organism that predispose one to hemorrhages. The first group includes gastric ulcers and cancer, which most frequently cause hemorrhage and haematemesis; according to studies by Boas, cancer causes hemorrhage in the overwhelming majority of cases (94.5%), but hemorrhages in cancer are usually not profuse, more often relating to so-called occult hemorrhages (see Examination of feces) and rarely reach such proportions as in gastric ulcer; therefore, the latter causes haematemesis significantly more often than cancer. Profuse hemorrhages into the stomach with haematemesis are sometimes observed in acute hemorrhagic erosions, which are sometimes solitary and barely noticeable even during an autopsy. Duodenal ulcers cause bloody vomiting significantly less often. In addition to the aforementioned diseases, haematemesis can occasionally be observed in hemorrhages caused by local changes in the vessels of the stomach, as well as in cases of gastric trauma. The second group includes, primarily, cases of hemorrhage and haematemesis in processes leading to pronounced stasis in the portal vein region, among which, in addition to cirrhosis of the liver, thrombosis of the portal vein, mesenteric vessels, and splenic vein should be noted. Thrombotic processes in these vessels, especially in the portal vein, lead to the dilation of collateral branches in the wall of the stomach and especially in the lower part of the esophagus with symptoms of stasis, whereby varicose veins lead to haematemesis. This also includes rare cases of haematemesis during congestive phenomena in the stomach associated with cardiac weakness. The third group includes hemorrhages and haematemesis in hemorrhagic diathesis, scurvy, sepsis, jaundice, and others. The latter category of haematemesis belongs to the number of hemorrhages per diapedesis and is often anatomically completely undetectable.

O. Makarevich.

HAEMATIDROSIS, haematidrosis, haemidrosis (from the Greek haima—blood and idros—sweat), bloody sweat, a very rare clinical phenomenon (the existence of which some dermatologists doubt), in which "the skin is covered with a pink or red liquid, more or less profuse, pouring out continuously without abrasion or breach of integrity, while it is impossible to detect the openings through which it seeps" (Hardy). According to Brocq, two phenomena are confused in this clinical phenomenon: 1) true sweat containing blood—a phenomenon that is extremely rare and not indisputable; 2) the seepage of blood through apparently healthy skin in a limited area, without the secretion of sweat—a phenomenon that is indisputable and cannot be simulated. The hemorrhage lasts for several minutes or hours, sometimes recurring. The skin is sometimes normal, sometimes saturated with ecchymoses. The localization is sometimes symmetrical, sometimes unilateral—on the fingertips, forehead, wings of the nose, eyelids, chest, inner thighs, etc. Sometimes haematidrosis is accompanied by hemorrhages on the mucous membranes. It is observed, primarily, in women and neuropathic individuals. It often coincides with the time of menstruation, especially if it is delayed. In men, haematidrosis can be caused by overexertion. Literature: Scott C., A case of haematidrosis, British Medical Journal, v. I, p. 532, 1918; Hardy A., Traite pratique et descriptif des maladies de la peau, P., 1886; Brocq L., Traite elementaire de dermatologie pratique, t. II, P., 1907.