The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-11

PROGRESS OF SURGICAL SCIENCE IN NEW iohh'-
case occurred the other day which is remarkably
illustrative OF the rapid progress OF surgical science
in this region, and the singular tact and dextenty
which some professors OF the scalpel manifest, as
well in operating on the minds the corporeal car
cases other fortunate patients For the benefit OF
the present generation and the races which are to
come, and acuated by the purest anxiety to give all
due publicity to the riumphs OF an important science,
we will give this case a place in our chronicles of
the times.
An Irish laborer who had been employed on the
Croion squeduct and lost his health, whether from
hard work andsIhe miasmata of the swamps on the
upper part Of the Island, devotion TO the bottle,
we are not informed, applied for advice to a tole-
rably well known surgeon and physician, who hangs
out single in very respectable street in this
good city ''What's the matter with you, my
good feow1" asked the Doctor, in tone in which
condescension and dignity seemed to struggle for
the supremacy. "Troth, your Honor, came to
you to fad out that" said the invaded Hbernian.
" Show me your tongue" said the Doctor. Here
il is, said the Irishman, and he thrust the rebel
gan out of his mouth, till he got black IN the face,
while the surgeon stared at it through pair of gold
barnacles with an air of the most profound mystery.
"Now let me feel your pulse, continued the Doctor,
counted the pulsa,ions "You have got Sc.
we're pain here" said Gaen, and he poked his fore.
finger against the PATIENTS stomach. " Yes, your
Honor" said the patient. " It's bad case" said
the Doctor, shaking his head. 1t 49, repeated
the Hiberniau, with his eyes considerably well
opened. "Do you know what's the mat.
teri" asked the Doctor. "Anan," said The
terrified patient "Well then," said the
man, must tell you. that the palate of your stomach
is down. "Good Cod" exclaimed the poor Irish
man, you don't say so, doctor musha, Pm a
dead man." sob no." said the doctor, with an
encouraging smile. ooh mol can cure you"
Oh the blessing of rhe Virgin and" broke in
the Irishman. slow much money have you got -
asked the DOCTOR eating short the pous aspirations
of his patient. The Irshman's countenance tell
somewhat, as he repled-"Pve got dollar,sir, and
three smallj childher.'' WE'LL" said the doctor,
rising and looking very stern, eff you bring me five
dollars I'll put the palate of your stomach in It's
place-bu you'd better get it done soon if you wish
10 live any time
The Irishman staggered home as well as he could
and related the doctors opinion TO his wife. "Well
Pat" said she, with the ready devotion of her sex
and her country, "rll get the five dollars.'' She
started that day land with child in her arms begged
for fortnight TIL she collected the doctors fee.
The poor Irshman then returned to the doctors Of
fce-paid down the money-and the doctor, with
an infinite deal of ceremony, deliberately proceeded
to make an inc sion on the chest of his VICTIM from
the sternum to the ensiform cartilage cutting, of
course. only the skin. A few straps of adhesive
plaster were then placed the wound, and the pa
tient dismissed with the consoaiory assurance, de-
llvered with gracious smile, that he was now
quite well, and "the palate OF his stomach returned
to its proper place"
This is the veritabe report of ia recent case. 1t
is not to be found, however, ia the Journals" But
it is too good to be lost. There are more things
in Heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your
philosophy, Horatio.''