Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-04-03

the nipple and considerable portion OF
skin, after which the iuteguments were
dissected up in the usual manner, and the
entire mamma removed. Ii weighed SIX
teen ounces. The wound was then left
open about three-quarters of an hour, in
order to secure the bleeding vessels, six
Of which were ligated. The ordinary
dressing was applied, and all appearances
of blood carefully removed, so that they
might not be seen by the patient when
aroused. The amount OF hehorrhage
was rather more than is usual in such cases.
During the operation the patient gave
no indication whatever of sensiblity, nor
was any of the functions observed by
those present, modified in the least degree.
She remained in the same sound and qui.
Ell sleep as before the use of he knife
Subsequently the pectoral muscle, which
had been laid bare, was twice or thrice
seen to contract when touched with the
sponge in removing the blood. About
fifteen minutes after the operation, a lrem.
ulous action was perceived in her lower
jaw, which was instantaneously arrested
by the application of the mesmerizer's
hand to the patients head. This phe-
nomenoH required in about ten minutes
after, and was again in the same manner
quoted. Professor Ford, who counted
The pulse and respiration, states that be-
fore any preparation was made for the op-
Grafton, the pulse was 90, and the respi-
ration l6 per minute; that after moving
the patient to arrange her dress for the
operation, and just before this was COM
menced, the pulse was 90 and the resplra
ton II; that Immediately after the de-
tachment of the breast the pulse was 96
respiration not counted; and that after
the final adjustment of the bandages and
dress, which required the patient to be
raised and moved about, the pulse was
90, and the respiration 10. All present
concur in stating that neither the placid
countenance of the patient, nor the pecu
liar natural blush of the cheeks expert.
enced any change whatever during the
whole process; that she continued in the
same profound and quiet sleep, in which
she was before noted, and that had they not
been aware of what was being done, they
would not have suspected it from any ndi-
cations furnished by the patients condition
The patient having been permitted to
sleep on about half an hour after the final
arrangement of her dress, the mesmerser
m AIDE passes over the seat Of the opera.
ton in order to lesson its sensbility, and
aroused her in the usual manner, when
she engaged in cheerful conversation with
Mr.. Kenrick and myself, as though she
had no suspicion Of what had taken place.
| then introduced to her the gentlemen,
who had placed themselves so as not 10
be seen by her on awaking, and observed
that had invited them to come in during
her sleep, in order that we might fully
test her nsensiblity, preparatory to the
operation. After few minutes of COR
versation, asked her when she would
like to have the operation performed
To which she replied the sooner the bet
ter, as she was anxious TO get home.
added, "Do you really think tina; |
could remove your entire breast when
asleep without your knowledge" Answer:
"Why, Doctor, the fact is, that from the
various experiments am told you have
made on me, really do no. know wha,
to think of it," swell, Madam, suppose
| were to perform the operation one OF
these days, and TO inform you OF il when
yoa would awake, would you believe me,
and could you control your feelings, on
finding that it had been done?" Ans:--"l
could not suppose that you would deceive
me, and of course | would be very glad,
but would try not to give away 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 aquarter of an hour having elaps-
ed since she awoke, then told her that as
we found her in proper state for theope-
ration, had performed it, and that the
breast was now xemoved. She express.
ed her incredibly -said it was certainly
testing, as it was impossible that II could
have been done without her knowing it
at the time, or feeling anything of it 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 moments,
when her friends, approaching TO congrai-
ulate her, her face became flushed and
she wept unafiectedly for some time. The
wound healed by the first intention.
In laying the above narrative before
the profession, i, is due to the cause of
truth to state, that it has been submitted
to all the physicians present al the opera
ton, that am authorized by them to say
that i 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 establish
ment of the fact that surgical operation
may be performed under such circumstan.
ces without the consciousness Of the pa.
tient, have designedly avoided any men.
ton of the various nesmeuc phenomena
manifested prior to and subsequently to
the operation. These have been careful.
ly and judiciously recorded by Mr.. Ken.
rick, whose well directed zeal has enabled
him to collect a body Of highly important
facts from field Unfortunately explored too