The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-15

SURGICAL OPERATIoN.-A surgical operation was
recently performed at the Jefferson University,
which was extraordinary in its character. child
seven months old, was brought to the College Hos
pital from the western part of the State, having
appended to its left cheek a large mass of flesh,
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 nearly foot long. Its surface
was neither smooth nor regular, but was divided
into several globuar masses, whose pulsation was
distinctly perceptibe, regular and uninterrupted,
from forty to 100 beats per minute. 1t was trav-
ersed by large artery, showing that it was large
ly supplied with blood: The tumor was connected
to the child's cheek by a peculiar caul-like mem
brane, pierced with holes, and its presence was a
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 the great surgical pro-
blem The parents, warned of the danger, were
yet extremely anxious to have the frightu parasite
taken off. DIR. Pancoast, under whose charge the
patient had been placed, decided that the use of the
| knife would result in fatal hemorrhage, and de-
| termined to divide the cat-ke membrane by using
French surgical instrument, the secrase,r, which,
by forcing down the skin, and brusing the vessels
thoroughly before the chain of the instrument cuts
through the mass effectually prevents all serious
! bleeding. The operation was performed in presence
of an immense assemblage of medical men, students
| and others.
| The child was placed under the influence of ether.
when all pulsaton in the parasite was observed to
Cease. ne Instrument Delng appHed, the cham
was rapidly worked until the parts were we'll com
pressed, and atterward very slowly. In fifteen
minutes the tumor came away with the instrument,
| the cham having worked through the connecting
membrane, while scarcely drop of blood followed
the removal, and but one small vessel required a
| igature. The surface left on the cheek was about
two inches square, and the tupor weighed two and
a half pounds. The whole operation was entirely
successful, and the child lives and has fully recoy-
cred. But the extraordinary part remains to be
told. The tumor thus taken off was found to con-
tain living child mpertectly developed, it is true,
but still living child. Fingers were seen, and a
portion of rudimentary The intestines were
well developed, and no doubts were entertained OF
its being male child. A body, presumed to be
the heart, contained, imperfectly formed auricles
| and ventricles The mesenteric arteries and veins
were of large size The dissecting knife often came
in contact with the matter of a rudmentary
skeleton. Fat was found in large quantities every.
| where. 1t was in fact repetition of the Siamese
Twins only less perfectly developed. These results
were received with profound astonishment by the
crowded audience who witnessed the operation
The case is said to be unique in the annals of human
malformation.- Philadelphia Journal.