The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-17

SURGICAL OPERATION.

A surgical operation was recently performed at
the Jefferson University, which was extraordinary
in its character. A child, seven months old, was
brought to College Hospital from the Western part
of the State, having appended to Its left cheek
large mass offesh, somewhat resembling a tumor.
This mass grew more rapidly than the child itself
At birth it was no larger than apple, but when
brought here, last month, it was nearly foot long
1t was neither smooth regular, but was divided
into several clobuar masses, whose pulsation was
distinctly perceptible, regular and uninterrupted
from forty to hundred beats per minute. 1t was
traversed by large artery, showing that it 'was
largely supplied with blood. The tumor was con-
nected to the childs check by peculiar caul-hke
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 tumor without destroy
ING the life OF the child, was the great surgical
problem. The parents, warned ef-tbe danger, were
yet extremely anxious to have the lrghtlul parasite
taken off. Dr. Pancoast, under whose charge the
patient had been placed, decided that tile use OF
the knife would result in fatal hemorrhage, and
determined to divide the caul-like membrane BY
using French surgical instrument, the ecrd$ur,
which, by forcing down the skin, and brusing he
vessels thoroughly before the chain Of the instru
mcnt cuts through the mass efectuay prevents
all serious bleeding. The operation was performed
in the presence of an immense asscmhlage Of Eled-
cal men, students aud others
The child was placed under the influence Of
ether when all pulsation in the parasite was OBJ
served to cease. The instrument being applied
the chain rapidly worked, until the parts were
we'll compressed, and afterwards very slowly. In
fifteen minutes the tumOr came away with the n
strument, the chain having worked through the
connecting membrane, while scarce drop Of blood
followed the removal, and but small vessel
quired a ligaturc The surface left on the cheek
was about two inches square, and the tumor
weighed % rounds. The whole operation WAS
entirely successful, and the child lives and has
fully recovered. But the extraordinary part re-
mains to be told. The tumOr thus taken off
found to contain living child imperfectly develop
cd it is true, but still living child. Fingers
were seen, and portion of rudimentary arm.
The intesines were well developed, and no doubts
were entertained Of its being male child. A
body presumed to he the heart, contained, inper-
fcctly formed, auricles and vertrcles. The mes
merle arteries and veins were of large size The
dissectiGg knife often came in contact with the
osseous matter of q rudimentary skeleton. Pat
was found in large quantities everywhere. it was
in fact a repetition Of the Siamcse Twins, only
less perfectly developed. These results were re
ccivcd with profound astonishment by the crowded
audience who witnessed the operation The
is said to be unique in the annals Of human NAL
formation. -PhlodrlJ,hio journal.
The reader may believe as much Of the last
paragraph as he pleases.