HEMOCHROMATOSIS: DIAGNOSIS AT AUTOPSY, DEATH BEING DUE TO PERFORATED DUODENAL ULCER

Abstract

Passed Assistant Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon, Respectively, United States Public Health Service, U. S. Marine Hospital Detroit A recent review¹of the literature of hemochromatosis since the monograph of Sheldon²reports altogether 387 acceptable cases of the disease on record. We add an additional case, in which hemochromatosis was an unexpected observation at autopsy following death from a perforated duodenal ulcer. REPORT OF CASE History and Examination.— J. W. S., a white man aged 52, a brewery worker, admitted to the hospital Sept. 15, 1937, complained of an umbilical hernia which had gradually increased in size. He stated that he drank beer moderately. He had been told several years previously that he had diabetes. Except to reveal a blood pressure of 165/100 and a fairly large umbilical hernia, the routine physical examination at admission gave essentially negative results. The first urinalysis showed a slight trace of sugar,