The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-11-25
A Living Mans Heart Open to Inspection

Some three years ago our physicians
witnessed the process of digestion through
an oriice left by gun-shot in the abdo-
men of Alaxis st. Martin; but a greater
curiosity was yesterday exhibited to the
students of the University Medical Col
lege, at the hour of Prof. Motifs clinioue,
1t vas case of deficiency of the sternum
(breastEo oDe) which enables the several
movements of the heart to be seen. 1t
has excited Intense interest for several
years past throughout the cities of Europe
and Britain. The subject of the defect is
a very Intelligent gentleman, NJ. Groux.
native of Hamburg. % years of age,
somewhat under the average hight, and
rather pale, though he appears to be in
health. lie was introduced by DR.. Mott.
who thought that the substance which oc-
cupied the place of the sternum might be
cartilage. II. Groux then showed the
peculiar delormity of his chest and gave
an excellent lecture on the hearts action,
demonstrating his remarks with colored
plates, an artificial heart, and his own
body. The collar bones are not connec.
ted, (neither are the ribs to their oppo-
sites, but there is groove where the ster-
NUN should be; the skin is natural. In.
ITS natural state this groove is about an
inch and half wide, but it can be dis
tended to three inches. On looking at
the groove, pulsatile swelling is discerni-
bic opposite the third and and fourth
ribs; If respiration be suspended, it rapid
ly rises to an enormous extent, and re
IN aims full and tense until the BREATH, is
restored, when it soon subsidies. This is |
the heart. Between the cavicles there is
another pulsatile swelling, easily felt,
which is the aorta, the great artery from
the heart. The dilation and contraction
Of the lung is also seen. la coughing,
the right lung suddenly protrudes from
the chest through the groove and ascends
a considerable distance above the right
clavicle into the neck.
The technical details of those wonder
ful disclosures will interest professional
men, and to general readers of physiology
he sight would be extremely interesting.
1t would be well if it could be exhibited
u all public schools.
Mr.. Groux remembers being taken by
1ls family doctor to medical society in
damburgh, when about two years old.
'ut he did not know for what; nor did the
ull Importance of his case occur to him
Ill he was over2O years of age. In ls49,
While on visi; to London, he was attack.
ID with cholera and then it was that his
Iefect was made known to the profession. {
lie was shown 10 several distinguished
MEDICAL men as grestcuriosity, and was
dVlsed to travel through Europe for the i
eneht of the profession. Not long after,
'hlle attending to his business. which |
'as very conhning, be was attacked with !
@moptlsls (spitting of blood He then ;
oncluded to abandon his occupation and S
blow the suggestion often made him, viz: t
travel aud show himself to the medical S
zen of the countries of Europe, Britain. a
nd now of America. He has an album !
two volumes, which are nearly filed ]
18th the autographs of the chief members I
all the important medical societies and {
Universities Of Europe, from st. Peters. {
arg to Madrid, and from Vienna to G al.
ay, testifying to their great interest in
'e case, The signatures of professors
I'D celebrities who have examined him !
amber over two thousand.
At the close of bis lecture yesterday, v
T. Mott proposed a collection in Mr. E
roax's behalf, though bis regular fee 3