FATAL HEMORRHAGE FROM A SMALL BRANCH OF THE VENA SAPHENA PARVA

Abstract

Profuse hemorrhages from injuries of peripheral veins are not uncommon. Fatal hemorrhages from such veins are also on record, but are comparatively rare. Most of the cases of that kind have been hemorrhages from ruptured varicose veins, large distended branches of the long saphenous veins of the lower extremities. As coroner, I was recently called on to attend a case of fatal bleeding from a very small branch of the small saphenous vein, or vena saphena parva, in a most unusual position, which I have never heard of before, nor have I been able to find a similar instance in the medical literature. History. —Eliza C., colored, aged 50, was always a helathy woman. There was nothing remarkable in the family history.