The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-07-17

Ed MINERS EXPRESS dear Sir place
at your disposal brief statement of the follow.
ing case, which it is hoped may interest both
you and your readers, and subservc the cause of
science and humanity
A son of Mr.. .7tchison near Colesburg, aged
4 years, had an amputation of the leg below the
knee, performed by DR.. .4sa Horr, of your city
on the II inst, in the presence of several neigh
bors and myself: Three weeks previously to
the operation, there was developed periostea
inflammation of the inner malicious, which, in spite
of vigorous treatment, soon involved the contig.
uous tissues, and probably from hereditary ten.
denotes, speedily assumed the character of Ma
lgnant Erysipelas, involving the lgaments of
the Joint, which occasioned extensive sloughing
of the soft parts, and complete dislocation ofthe
foot In fact, Just before the operation, all con-
nections of the foot and leg were severed except
the heel tendon, the instep cones, and those of
the lower part Of the leg being destitute of COW
cring, with the fatal process rapidly extending,
and the vital powers fast declining.
But what adds special interest to this case, is
the gratifying results obtained from the use of
chloroform. After the necessary preparations
were made, and the patient placed upon table,
the chloroform was easily administered on nap
kin, and in two or three minutes the little suf.
tcrer lost all consciousness, and sunk into qui-
ct slumber, and so continued, without evincing
the least pain during all the severe steps of the
operation. Before closing the wound, to allow
the circulation to make full pressure upon all
divided vessels, the chloroform was withdrawn
and partial return to consciousness permitted
With this exception, the sleep was continued
until the patient was returned to his cradle
where in few minutes, he was amusing him
self with his knife and sticks, wholly uncon:
cious of suffering or of the loss of his leg. On
asking the where abouts of his foot, he prompt
ly replied, holding up the stump and viewing it.
II don't know" and quietly resumed his whit,
tleing.
Instead of exhaustion, or depression, there
seemed rather an improvement of health and
spirits The whole loss of blood was less than
3 ounces. DR.. H., like all judicious surgeons
practiced lcisurely every minutiG Of workman
ship that promised bearing upon the recovery
or future welfare of the patient Knowing tina
no pain was felt, 1 was much gratfed that his
tons against an imp1udent haste, and will add
that if the patient had been perfectly dead, anc
in the dissecting room, the subject could no
have exhibited less sensibility to the knife, no.
the operation been performed in more delber
ate and satisfactory manner. +.
The case has progressed steadily towards re.
covery, and is now measurably restored.-Fron
observing the rapid and powerful effects of chic
reform in this case; while cautiously proportion
ing the amount given to the effects produced,
am convinced that it is one of the greatest boon
to suffering nlortals, when used with prudence
in proper cases; it IS capable Of producing thu
most disastrous results in the hands of incompe
tent and inexperienced men.
...-.. Respectfully, .r-. at ~. ~
.. .e ti5s GEO. S. DEWITT.
Colcsblrph. June 9th IN .-5