The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-07-08
Progress Of Surgical skiII-The
Successful Result In the Case
OF Associate Justice Miller.

VI HbsSSAetS sebeto AAAACAs
WARRINGTON, July 1.-The wonderful
progress Of modern surgical knowledge
and ski.l, and particularly in the United
States, has.again been Attested 10 the re.
markable success attending the case 81
lithotomy, In which Associate Just;es
Miller, Of the Supreme Court of the
United States, was the patient. For q
oug time this eminent jurist had been
experiencing the suffefings and incon-
yenience Of the presence Of the lithic sub
stance, but continued At his post on the
bench with heroic fortitude until short
time before the operation alluded 10 was
performed. The Associate Justice had
persuaded himself that the delicate and
dangerous operation could be best per-
formed in Europe, and under that impress
sion, through his friends, bad entered into
4 correspondents with the most eminent
lithotomists there. Inanswer to an inter.
rogatory IS to the proportion Of the sue
cessful operations as compared with the
number performed, be was advised that
the experience Of the European surgeons
was that in but one case on an average
ont Of twelve did the patient recover.
This information was received with great
encouragement. The Associate Justices
case, owning 10 delays and anxiety, had
now become most aggravated and des-
perate. threatening early fatal result un-
iess attended to. The unfayorable out
look in the hands Of the European sur
geons, and the pressure Of circumstances
necessitating immediate steps for relief,
led to a consultation with the mos, dis.
tiuguished surgical authorities ia the
United States, when, greatly TO the sur,
prise and relief Of the Associate Justice
and his friends, il Was AsceTtAined that
lithotomic operations in this country
we're emiDenily successful, and instead Of
the proportion Of fatal results being
eleven ont Of twelve, a. in Europe, the
experience in the United States was
almost the reverse, the successful opera.
lions almost numbering eleven out Of
twelve. II was At once decided 10 alb.
andon the long voyage and doubtful re-
suits Of an operation in Europe, and steps
were taken TO have it performed st home
and in Washington, ii the patients own
residence. DR.. Smith, Of Baltimore, who
executed the dangerous taSk, came here,
and, attended BY several OF the most skill.
fol resident surgeons, most triumphAntly
achieved success, the magnitude otwhich
may be judged, when It may be stated that
the little substance was the siEe Of hens
egg. It was one hour from the time the
AESTHETICS were applied till the incised
portion Of the body were stitched and re-
stored TO their normal position. At one
time during the operation matters assum.
ed 3 most critical turn. The respirations
bad been regular and free, and the surgi'
cal portion Of the task was progressing
very satisfactorily, when, At most dan
gerous period, the patient showed signs
OF choking, and respiration became dit
6cnlt and lAbored. DR.. Smith, with .
presenees Of mind equaled only by his
nerve, took in the situation at glance
By inserting his two fret fingers into The
patients mouth, forcing il more open,
and extending them sufficiently into the
throat 10 press the tongue, which seemed
10 cause the trouble, down and out Of The
way, proper respiration Ws restored
To-day the wounded Tissues are rapidly
uniting. and the patient Is regarded Al
being out Of danger lin fact his physiclan'
say that be l. conyAlescent. Nor do theJ
anticipate any return Of formation, which
they say. can be avoided by observing
proper dietary regimen.