The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-12

BODILY REPAIRs.-A man, now aud then, has
the misfortune to lose his nose. What would be
the greatest conqueror that ever lived without
this sppeDdsge? Many man would as soon lose
his life as bis nose hence the skill we see exerted
to supply its place when lost. OF old, the organ
was modelled, as far as possible. in the form OF
the old member, and then the permanent sruc
ture was shaped out Of beaten silver. which was
enameled go as to match the complexion. The
metal proboscis was commonly secured to the
face by means of q pair of spectaces, which
skillfuly hid the line of juncturs. There was one
advantage in this artificial nose, II needed no
handkerchief; but then 1t suffered the draw back
Of possessing no power Of smell. Gutts percha
has lately been used in place of metal; but by
means of the rhinoplastic operation the skilled
surgeon has of late years taken sill the repairs Of
the face ont of the orthopractic artist. The sur-
eeon calls In dame nature to his aid at once.
Having made figure in washleather of the
amount of skin required to form the ne " men,
Der, he marks the triangular outline upon the pa
tents forehead. with the base upward. He now
dissects the skin down to the bone, lifting the
cellular tiss1e, together with all the blood vessels
that nourish it. The stump, or 50 much of the
nose as is retained, having been pared down So as
TO give it good shape, the flap of the skin Ii
twisted upon itself Just between the brows. SO as
to MAINTAIN the circulation and then 1t is fastened
upon the superstructures by sutures.
In a few days adhesion takes place, the circula.
ton is thoroughly re-estsblished, and a very fair
probose is the result Hsrelp, spertures in the
cheek, are now repaired at the smallest notice.
with admirable results. The skilled operator
thinks no more Of shifting patches Of skin about
from one part of the frame to another than the
gardener thinks of resodding q bare place in the
grsss-plot. Even lips are made. but not ia this
manner when these have TO be restored the
modeller is in, who models the features IN silver
and coors it. In these days of artificial heigbtens
ing by color, even this deception may pass muster
but all attempts at kissing must be left out for OBJ
vious reasons. A very ingenious method is
adopted of repairing the hearing. when there has
been no loss of rupture Of the drum Of the ear. IL
often happens that the sheli or fold Of skin which
form the outward ear is defective. Some cunning
craftsman noticing this. has contrived to mould
flowers 80 that they shal fl In the opening Of the
ear. ! saw pair OF convovuli thus fitted, and 30
fastened with wires that they looked like sdorn-
ments Of the head dress, and no doubt were very
useful Ia collecting the sound and driving it upon
the auditory nerve. We think we have shown that
art is capable of repairing, after fashion, it is
true. every conceivable damage to the outward
form but il is just as far as ever. however, from
attempting to initiate the living principle within.
The smallest nerve fibre, the minutest artery,
shows q workmanship it never even dreams OF
copying. Nature keeps her secret. and will con-
iiIue to do so till the end of time.-t0nce Week.