Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-05-29
III RAID OF TIL Il II Nj E S.

was commenced, the pulse was 90, and
the respiration II tina, Immediately af-
ter the detachment Of the breast the
pulse was 96, respiration not counted |;
and that after the final adjustment Of the
banduges and dress, which required the
patient TO be raised and moved about,
the pulse was SO, and the respiration l6.
All present concur in stating that neither
the placid countenance OF the patient,
nor the peculiar natural blush Of the
cheeks, experienced any change what
ever during the whole process that she
continued in the same profound and
quiet sleep in which she was before the
operation, with the exceptions above
noted,) ) and that had they not been aware
Of what was being done they would not
have suspected it from any indications
furnished by the patients condition.
The patient having been permitted to
sleep on about half an hour after the
final arrang enent Of her dress, the mes
merizer made passes over the seat Of the
operation, in order to lessen its sensi-
bility, and aroused her in the usual man
ner, when she engaged in cheerful con-
versation with Mr.. Kenrick and myself,
as though she had no suspicion of wha,
had taken place. then introduced to
her the gentlemen, who had placed
themselves so as not TO be seen by her
on awakening, and observed that ] had
invited them TO come in during her sleep,
in order that we might fully test her in
sensibility, preparatory to the operation.
Alter a few minutes Of conversation,
asked her when she would like TO have
the operation performed TO which she
replied the sooner the better, as she was
anxious to get home. | added, "Do you
really think that ! could remove your en-
tire breast, when you are asleep without
your knowledge p Answer. "Why,
doctor, the fact is, that from the various
experiments | am told you have made on
me, | really do not know what to think
Of it," Well, madam, suppose were
to pei form the operation one Of these
days, and to inform you Of it when you
should awake, would you believe me,
and could you control your feelings on
finding that il had been done ?" Answer.
81 could not suppose that you would de-
ceive me, and Of course would be very
glad, but would try not to give way to
my feelings" " "Have you perceived,
since your arrival here, or do you now
perceive, any change in the ordinary
sensations of the affected breast ?"-
."No, sir it feels about as it has done
for some time back" About a quarter
Of an hour having elapsed since she
awoke, | then told her that, as we found
her in proper state for the operation, |
had performed it, and that the breast
was now removed. She expressed her
incredibly said was certainly testing
as it was impossible that it could have
been done without her knowing it at the
time, or feeling any thing of i, now. -
She became convinced only on carrying
her hand to the part, and finding that the
breast was no longer there. She remain.
ed apparently unmoved for few mo-
ments, when her friends, approaching to
congratulate her, her face became blush
ed, and she wept unaffectedly for some
time. The wound healed by the first
intention.
In laying the above narrative before
tho profession, il Is due to the cause of
truth to state that il has been submitted
to all The physicians present at the opera
tion, and that ! am authorized by them
to say that it accords in every particular
with their own observations, so far as
they were present. ] should also add
that, having no other object in view than
the establishment of The fact that a sur
gical operation may be performed under
such circumstance without the conscious
ness of the patient, | have des'gnedIy |
avoided any mention of the various and |
interesting mesmeric phenomena mani
tested prior TO and subsequent to the
operation. These have been carefully
and judiciously recorded by Mr.. Ken.
rick, whose we'll directed zeal has ena-
bIed him to collec! body of highly i'm
portant facts from field unfortunately |
explored too exclusively by ignorance
and charlaiaDism. i
AUGUSTA, Ca, February |, 1915.