The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-04-07
Surgical Monstrosity.

The Philadelphia correspondent Of the
N. Y. Tribune, furnishes that paper with
the following remarkable case:
A child, seven months old, was brought
to the COLLEGE Hospital FROM the western
part of the State, having appended to its
left cheek large mass of fesh, somewhat
resembling a tumor. This mass grew
more rapidly than the child itself. At
birth it was no larger than an apple, but
when brought here last month it was near
ly q foot long. Its surface was neither
smooth nor regular, but was divided into
several globular masses, while pulsation
was distinctly perceptible, regular and un-
interrupted, from forty to hundred beats
per minute. 1t was traversed BY large
artery, showing that it was largely sup
piled With blood. The tumor was con-
nected to the cbild's cheek by peculiar
caul-like membrane, pierced with holes,
and its presence was source Of constant
Irritation to the child, though supported
By the mothers hand. How to remove
this huge tunor without destroying the
life of the child was the great surgical
problem. The parents, warned of the
danger, were yet extremely anxious to
have the frightful parasite taken off,
DIR. Pancoast, under whose charge the
patient hal been placed, decided that the
u,e of the knife would result in a fatal
hemorthage. and determined to divide
the caul-like membrane by using French
instrument, the ecraSeaeT, which, by for
cling down the skin, and bruising the ves-
sels thoroughly before the chain of the in-
strumebt cuts through the mass effectual-
ly presents all serious bleeding. The op-
GRAFTON was performed in presence of an
immense asscub blagc of medical men, stu
dents and others.
The child was placed under the in6u.
euce of ether, when all pulsation in the
parasite was observed to cease. The in
strumcnt being applied, the chain was
rapidly worked until the parts were well
compressed, aud aiterward very slowlyly
In fifteen minutes the tanor came away
with the instrument, the chain having
worked through the connecting membrane
while scarcely drop of blood followed
the removal, and but Que small vessel re-
quircd licature The surface left on the
cheek was about two inche, square, and
the tumor weighed two and half pounds.
The whole operation was entirely success
fol, aud the child iises and has fully re-
covered. But The extraordinary part re-
maios to be told The tuuor thus taken
off was found to contain a living child
imperfeetly developed it is true, bat still
a living child. Fingers were seen, and
portion of the rudimentury arm. The in
te.tines we're well developed, and no doubt
was entertained of its being male child
a body, presumed to be the heart, con-
tainei. impcrfectly formed aurieles and
ventricles. The meserteric arteries and
veins we're of large size. The dissectiog
knife came repeatedly in contact with the
osseoas matter of ruciuentary skeleton.
Fat wss found 10 large quantities every
where. Il was 10 fact a repetition of the
Siumese Twins, only less perfectly devel-
oped. These results were received With
profound astouishment By the crowded
audience who witnessed the operation.-
The case is said to be unique in the an
mails of human % Dalform alton.