Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-15
MIR. CRAWFoRD's CASE-DR. GiBSON'S EN-
PLORATION
RICHMOND, VA, May I'd, 1S57

Editors of the Philadelphia Erening Bulletin
GrNrLrMEs IL have seen thus morning, in the
Richmond Enquirer and The South letter, origl.
nsy published in the Bulletin, written by Mrs. Louisa
W. Crawford and addressed To Thos NJ. Cash, OF
Philadelphia dated Paris April Sth, 1857. This let,
ter describes the illness of Mr. Crawford the dstin
gu;shed american Sculptor, aud will doubtless. be
read with painful interest wherever he or his works
are known. There is however, portion Of the Letter
sluang to DR.. Gbson. late Professor Of Surgery in
the University of Pennsylvania, upon which, in his
absence abroad, feel it my duty to make some re
marks.
1t seems that Mr.. Crawford has tumor growing
from the orbit of the left eye, and pressing upon the
ball of the eye, 10 it to protrude from the
socket; and that DR.. Gibson, being in Rome, was
consulted about it, and applied exploring needle
to il. Mr.. Crawford's symptoms, it appears, grew
worse after this exploration, aud he left Rome for
Paris to consult eminent surgeons there. These gen.
tir;.sn pronounced the tun"r cancarous, and Of
them, NJ. Nslatop, abandoned the case as hopeless.
Mrs. Crawford, maDifestly, believes, and intends to
make others believe, that the operation performed by
DR.. Gibson has had much to Go with the unhappy
condition Of her distinguished husband, and it is
against this conclusion that feel it incumbent upon
ms to protest Allsurgeons know and recognise the
Importance, indeed the necessity, of usng means Of
exploration in cases whose nature is doubtful and
am sure no medical man will admit any error OF
Judgment on the part of DR.. Gibson in this matter;
but the pnblio may, peEhsps, not know how impor-
tant, and how universally employed, is the very
means used in this case, to distinguish malignant from
b.nEnant formation Ii the tumor found to be nou
malignant, it may be removed without fear of return
and without hazard to life; if malignant, the patients
condition cannot be made materially worse by the
operation. for without it, with it, he is doomed to
certain death. Now, Mr.. Crawford's case was one
in which it of great Importance to have accurate
information. He had consulted Desmarres in Paris,
a most distinguished Opthalmc Surgeon, and Des
mares was doubtful whether operation might or
might not be required; and was anxious Mr.. Craw.
ford should remain in Paris that he might decide that
question. In the doubt, he would have used the ex
porns needle, as DR.. Gibson did, and all surgeons
would have done everywhere in the world.
am sure shall be- sustained by the profession, in
the opinion that DIR. Gibson's operation upon Mr..
Crawford not The of his hapless condition,
aud that from the very nature of the disease "atsl
from the first in the language of Nelaton, such
symptoms as Mrs. Crawford describes were inevita.
BILE
Every allowance is to be made Messrs. Editors,
for the impressions which Mrs. Crawford, in her
and suffering may entertain, and it is very far
from my wish or intention, to cast the slightest re-
Election upon her motives, in thus making the name
Of d.. Gibson painfully conspicuous in an event
which may be considered almost national calamity.
II is, solely, my wish to the impression from
the minds OF professional readers of her published
letter, that Mr. Crswfords distressing condition has,
in any way been fastened increased by my father
treatment.
| am, respectfully yours,
CHARLES BELL GIBSON M, ID.