Connecticut western news., 1877-05-25
Desperate Surgical Operation.

The Pittsfeld Eagle of last week describes one of the most skillful and desperate surgi- cal operations we ever heard of. That jour- nal says:
 The many friends of E. B. Whittlesey, for many years book-keeper for L. Pome- roy's Sons, and lstterly holding similar position for the Wm. Anson Wood Now ing Machine Co.,, at Albany, will learn with deep regret that a cancerous affection of the tongue compelled him last week to submit to, a terrible surgical operation. Some four months ago he began to feel a slight soreness in his tongue, which gradu : ally became worse until last he could take only the very softest of food into hls mouth. He consulted eminent physicians and though there was some disagreement as to the precise character of the disease it was decided that an operation was necessa- ". which was performed by Dr. Ward, of Albany, at St. Peters hospital in that city, last Wednesday. Dr. Paddock, of thls town and about 20 other physicians attend ed to witness the operation, which was thus described by medical gentleman present
 ''The patient was suffering from malig- nant disease of the tongue. requiring it's entire removal, which was successfully done by Dr. Ward in the presence of a number of physicians of Albany and Troy. He was assisted by Drs. Mosher, Wander. veeT, Hun and Balch. This operation al. ways involves great risk of life from hem. orrhage. To lessen thls danger both lin gual arteries were ligated, which, from their deep situation in the neck among i'm portant blood vessels and nerves, required thorough anatomical knowledge and 6 steady, skillful hand. The operation nee essary for the tying of these vessels wal sufficiently formidable to have terminated here.1 But this was only the first step The lowerlip was then divided to poin below the chin, and the flaps turned bacl sufficiently to expose the lower jaw, whicf was sawed through at the chin, and fillet cast about their severed edges that thu tongue, through which ligature had beer previously passed might be drawn forward out of the mouth as far as practicable, tt allow the galvanic cauterY to be applied After the galvanic cautery had been prop erly adjusted and connected with the bat tery, the tongue was amputated entir without the loss of drop of blood iron this organ, hemorrhage being an importan factor thus proving throughout one of tn most formidable and dangerou operations in modem scientific surgery New holes were then drilled through th bones of the chin, which had been sawet apart, and they were joined together again The other wounds were dressed in the usua manner the patient being under the influ- ence of ether suffered no pain. The ope ration throughout was characterized by coolness, carefulness and consummat, skill, and it's successful completion rankl Dr. Ward among the ablest surgeons ot this country or of Europe"
 A Pittsfeld friend who has visited MT Whittlesey this week found him cared fol at the hospital with all possible tendernes. and faithfulness, and the opinion of tho physicians is, that he will recover. MT. Whittlesey is abls to write messages to hil friends, and he is bearing his pain and af diction with wonderful courage.