Bloody Tumor. Tumor of the Artery.
This serious affection is in reality a bursting of the inner coats of an artery causing the force of the blood to bulge outward the remaining coat, thus forming a tumor[1] or enlargement of the artery itself at some particular spot. The most usual place for an aneurism is somewhere in the course of the large blood vessel leading from the heart, termed the aorta. Some persons are so constituted by temperament, predisposition or disease that the walls of their arteries are unusually thin or brittle and aneurism with them may very easily occur. The most general sources of the difficulty, however, are the accidents incident to severe manual or physical labor. Consequently men in middle life and those engaged in trades requiring heavy lifting[2] or great exertion are mostly affected. Tight clothing, especially about the chest or neck, may induce aneurism by interfering with free circulation.[1] "Tumor" is primarily used to describe neoplasms now, but here it is being used to simply mean swelling.
Symptoms. — Occasionally there are no evidences of aneurism until the trouble is far advanced; this is especially so when the tumor is deep seated. As a rule there will be local heat, a sense of fullness and weight, throbbing, and tenderness on pressure. Often sufferers wear a peculiar look of illness and distress and appear anxious without knowing the cause of their trouble. They may become sallow and be easily irritated, and yet lose no amount of flesh. They prefer to keep off their back and to have their head pretty high while in bed. Leaning forward and then suddenly throwing the head backward has been mentioned as indicating aneurism when other signs are also present. Also feeling the pulse at both wrists will usually show that it differs in force on the two sides and that the beats are not in harmony. Often the tumor is so large and so located that its enlargement is manifested by external swelling in the region. Usually this swelling is at the lower part of the chest or on one side of the spine. Such a swelling, tender on pressure and throbbing and persistent in character, will point to aneurism.
Treatment. — Quietude and freedom from over exertion and excesses of all kinds are imperative. Avoid stimulation by drinks or foods. Do nothing that would increase the blood supply, though anaemia is not to be induced. Do not drink too freely, even of water. Rest must be secured by very mild nervines. All care must be taken against such circumstances as would increase distension of the vessels and thus lead to rupture of the remaining coats of the affected part. Sometimes the blood in the tumor may be coagulated, especially in small aneurisms, and this should be an object in treatment. Tannic acid has been used to advantage, but by far the best agent, promising the most marked results, is tincture of gum kino. This may be given in ten drop doses in water three times a day. Keep the bowels open and the skin warm and pliant so as to avoid crowding the blood inward. Anxiety, emotional excitement and anger must be avoided. Operations of various kinds are often resorted to and sometimes effectual. They are dangerous and difficult of performance.
[2] The internet has multiple articles linking aneurysms and weight lifting.