The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-02-02


upon q table. The low bed, on when
he then lay, was shsfelofs flied upon
temporary platform. Ten mpuiss.
alter being mesmerized. be was drawn
By means Of the bed-cloihes beneath
him, toward the end Of the bed. Ine
movement, however, excited ihai pam
which had 90 often aroused him before;
and now It did 50 again. There was
something quite excfuciailng IN me
suffering which the state Of the knee
produced for | had seen him, while
in mesmoric sleep, pricked 70 some
Hule depth, IN other parts Of the dis
eased limb, without being disturbed
or conscious Of il. To preclude the
necessity Of any further movement, bis
leg was now placed in the most conve-
nient position which be could bear.-
Shortly afterwards be declared that
the pain had ceased and ] again
mesmerized him il four minutes.
sIn quarter ofan hour | Informed
Me-. Ward that he might commence the
operation. l then brought two an
gers Of each hand gently IN contact
with Wombelrs closed eye-lids, and
there kept them still further to deepen
tha sleep. Mr.. Ward, after one ear
nest look at the man. slowly plunged
the knife into the centre OF the outer
side Of the patients thigh, directly to
the bone, and then made clear ilcis-
ion round the bone, TO the opposite
point, on the inside Of the thigh. The
stiffness at this moment was something
awful. The calm respiration Of the
sleeping man alone was heard, for all
other seemed suspended. In making
the second incision the position Of the
leg vas found more inconvenient than
it had appeared to be, and the operator
could not proceed with his former ia
cility. Soon after the second incision
a moaning was heard from the patient,
which continued, at intervals, until the
conclusion. Il gave me the idea Of q
troubled dream, for bis sleep continu-
Ell as profound as ever. The placid
look OF his countenance never changed
for an instant his whole frame rested,
uncontrolled, in perfect stiffness and
repose-not a muscle or nerve was
seen to witch. To the end Of the op.
Grafton, including the saving Of the
bone, securing the arteries, and ap.
plying the bandages-occupyinga Pc
Rod Of upward Of 90 mihutes--he lay
like a statue. Soon after the limb was
removed, his pulse becoming low
from the loss of blood, some brandy
aud water was noured into his throat,
which he swallowed unconsciously.-
as the last bandage was applied poin-
ted out to one Of the surgeons and an
other gentleman present, that peculiar
quiyering ofthe eyelids already alluded
TO.
"Finally, when all was completed,
aud Wombell was about to be removed
his pulse being still found very low,
some sal volatile and water was admin
istered to him ; it proved too strong
aud pungent, and gradually and calm
ly awoke. AT FIRST he uttered no ex-
clamation, and for some moments
seemed lost and bewildered, but after
looking round be exclaimed-I bless
the Lord to 6nd it's all over He |
was then removed to another room |
and, following Immediately, | deman-
ded of him, 10 the presence Of the per-
sons assembled, to describe all he felt |
or knew after he was mesmerzed.-
Wombelps reply was-'l never knew
mole and never fell any |
pain at all | once felt as if heard a
kind of cEunching.' ! asked if that
we're painful He replied, mo pain
at all never had any and knew
ill | was awakened by Tint
strong stuff (the sal volatile.) The
'cfunching, no doubt, was the saw
ing Of his own thigh-bone. He was
left easy and comfortable and still
found so at nine o'clock that night
about which hour | again mesmerized
him, (n a minute and three quarters,l |
and he slept an hour aud a hall. |
may further add that, on the Monday
the first dressing Of his wound
was in mesmeric sleep. OF this dres-
sing, usually accompanied by much
soreness aud smarting, he felt nothing; |
slept long after it was completed; was
gnorant Of Mr.. Wards intention; and, |
lfter awakening, remained unconscious
If its having been done. Mr.. w. S.
Ward own valuable statement, in &C
.ordance with his personal observation
md care, prior and subsequent to the
,peration, be has kindly permitted TO
,e appended 10 my own and thus TO
ender complete the narrative Of this
,ase, which l leave without a sylla-
DE Of comment.
w. ToPHAM.
"Middle Temple, Oct. 25."
Mr. Wards account, which was
r 4 D