The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-18 00:00:00

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( PAINLESS SURGICAL OPERA-
TION IN DERBY UNDER THE EFFECTS
OF VAPOUR OF ETHER.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) • •
• DERBY, SATURDAY NIGHT. —The first surgical ope-
ration in Derby under the inhalation of sulphuric ether
—and one, too, of a formidable character-- took place
this afternoon. The operation was performed by Mr.
Rudkin, surgeon, in presence of several gentlemen, in.
eluding Mr. J. B. Murphy. surgeon dentist. As well au-
thenticated narratives of the effects of this r. inarkable
discovery are not only read with interest, but may be
productive of much good in inducing others to submit to
the treatment, I send you the following particulars of the
case, every word of which cen be satisfactorily proved.
young woman, aged 19, residing with her parents
at Repton, consulted- Dr. Brigstocke, on account of a
disease from which she had been suGring for between
six and seven years. On examining the case he found
that, in the year 1840, she suffered severely from scar-
latina, which left, as one of its conseqiemces, an extensive
inflammation of the periosteum c f the tibia on the left
leg, which, partly from neglect and partly from ineffi-
cient treatment, eventually involved nearly the whole of
the shaft of the bone, accompanied by extensive-ulcera-
tion, deep sinusses, copious and remarkably foetid
:lischarges. The constitutional irritation arising from these
causes had most seriously affected the girl's general
nesith, and finding that the case required the immediate
attentien of a competent surgeon, Dr. Brigstocke re-
quested that Mr. Rudkin would undertake the charge of
the case. She was then removed to Derby.
Without entering into further particulars, it was de-
eided in consultation that the whole of the diseased bone
should be removed. The bone at this time at its upper
extremity was entirely denuded to the extent oftthree
inches, but strongly adherent to the subjacent parts, -and
the middle portion was partly concealed with firm hut
unhealthy integument. As it was anticipated that the
removal of a sequestrum so extensive and firniiy ad-
herent would be attended with most excruciating pain to
he patient, it was determined that the means recently
btroduced to suspend animal sonsibiiity should he len-
:ered available in her behalf. ET iLis purpose the
simple apparatus suggested by Mr. lierapatit, consisting
..,1 a bladder, stop-cock, and mouth-piece••tO breathe
brough, was adopted. Almost immediately after
meathing the vapour, entire sensibility of the patient
vast suspended. The intermediate portion of the bone
.vas then carefully dissected from its superficial covering,
and the seqUestrum firmly grasped with a 1 !rge forceps,
and with considerable violence eventually removed entire.
During this painful process the patent was perfectly
unconscious of what was going on. Ott the removal of
the vapour she very soon recovered her sensibility ; and
when ohe recognised the operator she exclaimed, " Oh,
Mr. Rankin, you have not removed my poor bene." He'
told her that he had. She seemed for a moment very
dubious ; bur on Mr. Rudkin exhibiting the detached
dire, she could se.rcety re-train her feelings of j(.y and
:;ratitude. She said that she had been dreaming ; that
the never experienced the slightest pain or inconvenience
eithorr from the operation or inhalation of the vapour,
and that she was quite astonished on finding " all was
over."

,i--_,

To show how little she was affected by whit hail
taken pace, I may mention that when the bandages
were placed round the leg, the operator called to a temale
attendant to bring a needle snd thre d, whereop,n the
patient exclaimed, •' Oh, give it to me, I'll do it," and
immediately sewed the bandages together, as if nothing
had occurred.
The length of the sequettrum reamed is seven
inches, and the operation did not occupy three minutes.
It was performed to the evident satisfaction of the gen-
tlemen who kindly witnessed the operation ; and thuS
was this poor girl spared the most excruciating agony
by this new discovery. She says that she has less pain
now than she had before the bone was removed, and
does not feel the slightest, inconvenience.

TRANSFER OF LICENSES FOR

THE SURREY DISTRICT. --
At a special session held at the Cour:House, Newing-
ton-causeway, before Mr. Johnson, the chairman, and a
r'ull bench of magistrates, the follong transfer of licenses
took place:—
PARISH OF ST. GEORGE.
The Duke of York in the Borough-road, from Mr.
William Pluer to Mr. J. Gascoine ; the Bell, in Friar-
street, from Mrs. Margaret Woodgate to Mr. Samuel
William Woodgate. •

ST. SAVIOUR'S:
The Bell, in the Borough-market, from Mrs. Eliza-
beth Garland to Mr. John Longton ; the Queen's
Head Inn, High-street, from Mrs. Mary Hughes to
Mr. Robert Wiltshire ; the Wheatsheat, Borough-mar-
ket, from Mr. James Horatio Reeves to Mr. James
Johnsou.

ST. THOMAS'S.
The White Hart, St. Thomas's-street, from Mr. Thos.
Wale to Mr. Walter Hearne.

BERMON DS EY.
The Red Cow, Grange-road, from Mr. Edward All-
bury to Mr. T. Rudd ; the Fleece, Upper Russell-
street, from Mr. Robert Bucroft to Mr. William Harris ;
the Fleet, Great George-street. from Mr. Wm. Skeeter
to Mr. Edward Harding ; the Three Compasses, in Ber-
mondsey New-road, from Mr. Isaac Stacey to Mr. W.
W. Thorne.