The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-19
Progress of Surgical Skill.

The wonderful progress of modern surgical
knowledge and Skill and particularly in the
United States, has again been attested in the
remarkable success attending the case of lith-
otomy, in which Associate Justice Miller of
the Supreme Court of the United States was
the patient. For long time this eminent
jurist has been experiencing the sufterngs and
inconvenience of the presence Of the lithic
substance, but continued at his post on the
bench with heroic fortitude until short time
before the operation alluded to was perform
ed. The Associate Justice had persuaded him
self that the delicate and dangerous operation
could best be performed in Europe, and under
that impression, through his friends, had en-
tered into correspondence with the most en-
inent lithotomsts there. In answer to an in
terrogatory as to the proportion of the sue
cessful operations as compared with the num-
Der performed. he was advised that the expe-
rience Of the European surgeons was that in
but one case on an average of twelve did the
patient recover. This information was re-
ceived with great discouragement. The As
sociate Justices case, owing to delays and
anxiety, had now ,beeome most aggravated
and desperate, threatening early fatal results
unless attended to- The unfavorable outlook
in the hands of the European surgeons and
the pressure of circumstances necessitating
immediate steps for relief, led to consulta.
ton with the most distinguished surgical au
thorities in the United States, when, greatly
to the surprise and relief of the Associate
Justice and his friends it was ascertained that
lithotomic operations in this country were en-
inently successful, and instead of the proper
ton of fatal results being eleven out of twelve,
as in Europe, the experience of the United
States was almost the reverse the successful
operations almost numbering eleven out of
twelve 1t was decided to abandon the long
voyage and doubtful results of an operation
in Europe, and steps were taken to have it
performed at home and in Washington, at the
the patients own residence. DR.. Smith of
Baltimore, who executed the dangerous task
came here, aud, attended by several of the
most skilliul resident surgeons, most trium-
phantly lachieved success, the magnitude of
which may be judged when it may be stated
that the little substance was the size of a hens
egg. 1t was one hour from the time the
anpsthetics were ap lied till the incised por-
tions of the body were stitched and restored
to their normal position. At one time during
the operation matters assumed most critical
turn. The respirations had been regular and
free, and the surgical portion of the task was
progressing very satisfactorily when, at most
dangerous period, the patient showed signs
of choking, and respiration became difficult
and labored DR.. Smith with a presence of
mind equaled only by his nerve took in the
situation at glance. By inserting his two
first fingers into the patients mouth, forcing
it more open, and extending them sufficiently
into the throat to press the tongue, which
seemed to cause the trouble down and out
OF the way, proper respiration was restored
The wounded tissues are rapidly uniting and
the patient is regarded as being out of dan
ger in fact, his physicians say that he is
convalescent, Nor do they anticipate any
return Of the formation, which they say can
be avoided by observing proper dietary reg
linen. - Washington paper.