Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-01-03

enough W apply INC reucules on suon
occasions After lapse of some min
utes, from the agitated appearance of
those who had accompanied the young
lady into the cabin, it was evident to me
that a serious accident had occurred. ]
entered the cabin with the captain, and,
beheld, reclining on settee, the form
Of that lovely girl, to all appearance dead,
her father and sister bending over her in
agony, cha6ag her temples, pressing her
with their hands, calling upon her name
in vain, their anguish subsiding in floods
of tears. Messengers had been dispatched
to different parts Of the boat to ascertain
if there was among the passengers a
surgeon, who could'ascertain the nature
and extent of the injury. No one had
yet been found. | asked how the acct
dent occurred, and was informed that
when the boat stopped the young lady
was leaning over the rail of the prone
made deck; the passengers anxiously
rushed to one side to see the fishing boat
pass, caused the steamer to careen, when
the poor girl fell to the deck below, strik-
ing her head upon corner of the chain
box.
A medical gentleman entered the cab
in. A young man entered with him.
Upon examination, it was found that the
skull of the young lady was fractured,
and every indication of compression of
the brain. This intelligence was i'm
parted to the unhappy parent of the girl,
with the candid acknowledgment that
her situation was one Of imminent peril.
"Can nothing be done to save her Z" said
the weeping father. The sister had
been removed in an almost unconscious
state from the cabin, and was in the care
of some Of the ladies. The physician
replied that there was but one hope to
rest upon--an operation, and that skill
fully and speedily performed.
"What operation p asked the father,
holding her head in his hands. and wait
ing reply in breathless anxiety.
"Trepanniug," quietly responded the
physician, and briefly explaining his
meaning.
A painful silence of some minutes
now ensued
":Whcn this dreadful operation is per-
formed what is the chance of recovery"
gasped the father, Selling the physician
1 by the arm.
"That depends upon circumstances, +"
was the reply.
"Saye her life. Ellen, my child, -
my child ! Poor girl, It's an awful
thing to think Of If, as you say, it
must be done, for heavens sake lose no
time"
81 have no instrument fit for the pur-
pose, nor would | undertake it if | had.
1t needs more experienced hand than
mine. l never saw it done. From
books only know its nature and manner
of proceeding"
The captain remarked that he had a
case Of instruments on board the boat;
of their purpose he was ignorant. The
young man who had entered with the
physician had been carefully examining
the injury, and requested the captain to
procure the instruments, who left the
cabin for that purpose. He then adj
dressed the physician
"Sir, should The tropan be at hand,
would it not be well to attempt the ope-
ration? In her present state she must
die unless some aid be promptly given.
| will assist you"
" Are you a physician ?"
"No; am a student of medicine only.
have seen the trepan twice used with
complete success. | am aware It's a
dangerous operation, though easily per-
formed"
:" shall not undertake it. / could
not summon resolution. lido not profess
surgery"
We are many miles from land, sir.
never performed this or any other ope-
ration under my knowledge Of anatomy
the exigency of the case--the favorable
position of the wound, I would not shrink
in any attempt to save valuable life.
Why should you, sirT
The captain returned. The case was
opened, and proved upon examination,
to be large case Of amputating instru-
ments, and, fortunately, the trcpan and
its necessary apparatus accompanying
them The father revived from appa-