Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-29
A SINGULAR M0NSTROsITY.

The Philadelphia correspondent Of the
New York Tribune gives the following
account of a singular monstrosity that
was brought to the no.ice ofthe surgeons
of that eiy'
But if there be monstrosities in the
law, there are others in surgery equally
remarkable. One of the latter was re-
Gently dissected at the Jefferson Medical
College, the like of which is unknown in
the annals Of human deformities. A
child, seven months old, was brought to
the College Hospital from the western
part of the Stale, having appended to its
left cheek a large mass of flesh, some
what 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 nei-
ther smooth nor regular, but was divided
into several globular masses, while pulsa-
ton was distinctly perceptible, regular
and uninterrupted, from forty to hun
dred beats per minute. 1t was trayersed
by large artery, showing that it was
largely supplied with blood. The tumor
was connected 10 the ehild'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 des-
troying the life ofthe child was the great
surgical problem. The parents, warned
of the danger, were yet extremely anx-
GUS TO have the frightfuI parasite taken
off. DR.. Pancoast, under whose charge
the patient had been placed, decided that
the use Of the knife would result in IA
tai hemorrhage, and determined to divide
the caul-like membrane by using French
surgical instrument, the ecraseuy, which.
by forcing down the skin, and bruisinc
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 inAu-
ence OF ether, when all pulsation in the
parasite was observed to cease. The in
strument being applied, the chain was
rapidly worked until the parts were well
compressed, and afterward very slowly.
In fifteen minutes the tumor came AWAY
with the instrument, the chain having
worked through the connecting mem
brane. while scarcely drop Of blood fol-
lowed the removal, and but one small YES
sci required ligature. The surface left
on the cheek was about two inches SQUARE.
and the tumor weighed two and half
pounds. The whole operation was en-
tirely successful, and the child lives and
has fully recovered. But the extraordi-
nary part remains to be told. The tu-
NOR thus taken off was found TO contain a
living child, imperfectly developed it is
true, but still living child. Fingers
were seen, and portion of rudimenta-
ry arm. The intestines were well devel-
oped. and no doubt was entertained OF its
being male child. A body. presumed
to be the heart, contained, imperfectlv
formed, auricles and ventricles. The
mesenteric arteries and veins were of
large size. The dissecting knife came
repeatedly in contact with the osseous
matter Of rudimeutary skeleton. Fat
was found in large quantities everywhere.
Il was in fact repetition of the Siam
ese Twins, only less perfectly developed.
These results were received with pro-
found astonishment by the crowded audi
ance who Witnessed the operation. The
case Is said to be unique in the annals Of
human mallormatioB.