Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-05-06
A Singular MOnstrOsity.

The Philadelphia correspondent of the
New York Tribune, gives the following ac-
count OF singular monst~osity that was
that city:
But if there be monstrosities in the law,
there are others in surgery equally remark
able. One of the later was recently d s.
S-cted at the J,fftrson Medical College,
the Ike of which is unknown in the annals
of human deiormites. A child seven
months oil, was brought to the College
hospital 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 globular mass
es, while pulsation was distinctly percepti-
Bile, regular and uninterrupted, from forty
to hundred beats per minute. 1t was
trarersed by large artery, showing that
it was largely supplied with blood. The
tumor was connected to the child's cheek
| by peculiar caul-like membrane, 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 destroying
the life Of the child was the great surg ical
problem. The parents, warned of the
danger, were yet extremely anxious to have
the frightfu parasite taken off. DR.. Pan
coast, under whose charge the patient was
placed, decided that the use of the knife
would re suit in fatal hemorrhage. and de-
termined to divide the caul-like membrane
by using French surgical instrument, the
ecrdseur, which, by forcing down the skin,
and bruising the vessels thoroughly before
the chain of the instrument cuts through
the mass, effectually prevents all serious
bleeding. Tbs operation was performed
in presence of an immense assemblage OF
medical men, students and others.
The child was placed under the inhu-
ence of ether, when all pnlsation in the
parasite was observed to cease. The in
sirument being applied, the chain was rap
idly worked until the parts were well con-
pressed. and atterward very slowly. In
fifteen minut S the tumor came away with
the instrument, the chain having work ted
through the connecting membrane, while
scarcely drop of blood followed The remov-
al. and hut one small vessel required liaa-
tnre. The surface left on The cheek was
about two inches square. and the tumor
weighed t&o and half pounds. The
vi hole operation was entirely successful,
and the child lives and has fully recovered.
But the extraordinary part remains TO be
told. The tumor thus taken off was found
70 contain living child, imperfectly dere-
oprd it is true, but still a living child. Fin
gers were seen, and portion of rudi-
mentary ,rm. The intestines We're well
developed. and no doubt was entertained of
its heing a male child. A body, presumed
TO be the heart, contained. imperfect, form
ed, auricies and ventricles. The mesen-
trio arteries and veins were of large size.
The dssecting knife came repeatedly in
contact with the osseoiis matter of rudi-
mentary skeleton. Fat was found in large
quantities everywhere. 1t was in fact
repetition of the Siamese twins, only less
perfectly developed. These results were
received with profound astonishmeut by
the crowded audience who witnessed the
operation. The case is said TO be unique
in the annals of human malformation.