Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-27
EXTRAORDINARY SURGICAL OPERATION.

A respectable gentleman, formerly of Ohio but resi-
dent of this city, has handed the suboned statement He
is well acquainted with the surgeon referred CDR Thomp
SOM and vouch for the truth of the facts
son looking Of the late Ohio papers my attention
particularly drawn the notice taken of of the
astonishing surgical performances attempted in this
other age.
Curious to learn all the particulars for the benefit of the
of science of this singular and miraculous opera
lion, Immediately sought information in the proper quarter,
and have been put in possession of the following facts
cdr. Robert Thompson, of Columbus, Ohio, (Surgeon
General Of that State recently called into the of
Etna sixteen miles east of the capital Mrs Lytle,
presented strangely and dangerously ILL., Proceeding
haste TO her residence he found her great suffering terri
bly, emacaed and in the danger Of sudden dissolution
without speedy relief Several neighborng physicians
in attendance. counsel Immediately held and her
situation critically examined BY all those present, except
Dr. Thompson her condition considered only that which
is to the conuga state though of an aggravated cha
acter The striking enlargement of the abdomen and other
alarming symptoms orciby struck Dr. Thompson directly
indicating extraordinary enlargement of the liver What
difference of opinion found prevail among the doc
present this point they all readily agreed that the
tent must die within few hours at most within few
days, unless by surgical operation, successful remedy
could be applied. The novel, The stretch
of medical genius and science had been made reach
the operation contemplated Its performance terrible and
dangerouneyer to be resorted unless in the most depe
of circumstances The patient and the friends who ga
thered around her consulted They told Of the
hazard of the undertaking but the only chance
her life and perhaps not in five hundred that she would
survive the operation. deep anxiety prevailed that
thing should speedily he DONE and the lady and those near
her eagerly embraced the proposition. Preparations
congy made by Dr. Thompson and the assistant surgeons
in attendance, all gentlemen eminent and distinguished in
their profession and its execution successfully effected.
TIE entire Hrer, ,ceghing 295 pounds, reoued from
her body The surrounding fluids and other vital portions
found in the cavity of the body would have weighed by es
mate, from ten to twelve pounds Yet extraordinary
and astounding is the fact she survived and the latest
intelligence days from the operation, still living
der apparently comfortable circumstances though but faint
hope could be INDUCED OF her final restoration And what
discovery in modern science here-d human being HUg
Without Hrer What prodigies cannot the onward march
Of scientific intelligence accomplish The books may be
sacked in vain for parallel Of medical skill II has
opened Of the brightest pages that recorded the
mastery efforts OF human genius and 10 the Faculty OF Sur
gerry every where presents e most instructive lessons
and of the most valuable discoveries that advancing
country boast Well may be said that Westward the
of takes way Western doctor, by this evil
dence his genius and skill has set an example worthy the
eminent in the profession throughout the world to follow
As such the public press should every where herald per-
feet desideratum IN modern science. B."
Since the above came to hand we have received
the annexed note from the same gentleman
Messrs. EpITORs As reasonably anticipated, since
my recent communication TO your paper, Mrs. Lyle,
whom the extraordinary surgical operation performed in
Ohio by the celebrated Doctor THOMPSON has deceased hav
ing mracuousy survived the Of
diseased mass from her body weighing nearly quite forty
pounds in all for twelve days after the operation
The examination made after death, briefly detailed be-
low in the Ohio Statesman, by the distinguished operator
himself in essential point affects the great professional
skill OF the execution lessons the real merit Of the perform
And pleased 10 perceive that full and minute
report Of the is TO be made in valuable standard med
cal Journal under the Doctors hand and will when
fully published and understood FORM surgical and physical
science, important epoch the progress of mind towards
the perfection of knowledge in this country
"To the Editor Of the Ohio Statesman.
DEAR sin The statement having been made, through
the medium Of your paper that had the presence OF and
aided by several professional gentlemen, removed diseased
liver from Mrs Hugh p Lyte, of Etna, is due myself
and the profession TO say that post morem examination,
twelve days subsequently TO the operation, disclosed the fact
that il not the liver The morbid removed was an
ovarian umor which had occupied the greatly increased
cavity OF the diaphragm carrying the liver before we'll
every other possible part Of the abdominal cavity
IL is my purpose 10 make minute and detailed report Of
this important and interesting case through the medium
of Of medical periodicals.. Therefore will this
time only say, that the liver below the medium size,
large portion Of it, surface adhercnt the diaphragm
The thin edge of the liver, which in its natural position
extends below the ribs had been forced inches above
the margin of the diaphragm by the upward development
the tumor
This encroachmen Of the diaphragm upon the space ap
pointed TO the lungs accounted for the great difficulty of breath
ing and threatened sucaton, which existed previous to the
operation Very truly, your obeden servant
OR. THOMPSON"