River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-07-03
Presently Dr.. White stepped down by the


Presently Dir. White stepped down by the
table and said
My friends, the body before me is
that of man who bled to death. He
was employed in planning min on West
Sixteenth street. near North River. He
fell against one Of the swift revolving
saws, one of the large arteries in his arm
was severed, and the blood, which Is life
flowed out before assistance could arrive
"The doctor paused, continued DIR.
Bigelow 't0r a few moments, looking.
meanwhile, attentivcly at the body. Then
he continued: "There is a mere cessa-
ton of life, because the blood was divert
ed from its natural channel. | can dis
cover no injury save the severed artery.
1t is absolutely necessary to the success
of the experiment we are about to WIT
ness that the organs Of the booy be unln-
luIed, for any material injury to any Or
GAM mean vital organ-Nould pre-
clude the possibility of its performing
It's functions, since science cannot restore
| the organ. But where the action of the
ergan is interrupted by some cause that
does not materially iniure the organ, then
believe that the organ may be again
compelled % perform ITS duty. As the
great wheel Of mill may be stopped by
shutting of the water, SO may it be made
to revolvc Sgain by turning the water on;
thus the blood which turns the wheels OF
the body having been diverted, the wheels
stopped claim that this body may be
brought to life Whether the soul has
departed and can be brought back, or
ahetner the mind may be restored can
not tell; but believe | can again set at
work every material organ of this body.
/ have carefully closed up the several ar
t.rias"
ale then called upon Prof. Doremus
and DIR, Chambers and myself To assist
| him. An iacision was made in the body
| just above the heart, and the vena cava
nd great coronary vein were bursted
open In these openings were inserted
! small sllyer tubes. On the left of the
table stood two galvanic batteries. 4
| slight cut vas ma e Just above the puxus
| Of the four inferior cervical nerves and
another above the first dorsalnerve. The
conducting wires of the respective bat
| tories were placed in connection with
these cuts 4 smaller pair of bellows
was inserted into the mouth of the corpse
and DIR. Chambers took charge of them
Prof. Dofeaus was placed in charge of
| the batteries
"At this moment attendants led two
| fuN-grOwn living sheep into the room,
| and at signal from DR.. White stood
them near the table Meanwhile ! had,
Under Instructions, connected two hollow
rubber strings to the silver tubes already
mentioned. The other ends were soon
| connected with the large arteries of these
two sheep. The two tubes throbbed as
the warm blood of the sheep bounded
| Trough them II was a breathless mo-
mcnt. and as We leaned forward our IN
| terest was painful DR.. Chambers began
10 work the bellows, and the lungs of the
i'ody slowly responded. Three or four
minutes OF the most anxious suspense en-
sued, as Pr White leant over the body,
pale with excitement. No movement
| could be seen save the slow rising and
falling OF the chest Of the mans body.
Two minutes more, and one of the sheep
staggered and fell.
Rising erect, and seizing some lnstru-
| ments, DIR. White called out:
Nov, Professor
an pn instant the powerful current of
the two batteries was turned on, and
| WIN "a Nh4tACn lClh AAlN bOAS say hlA iSi
Quickly forcing it back, DR.. White with
the assistance of some Of the younger
men, withdrew the tubes from the veins
and closed up the prefUrations The
wires we're disconnected and the bel
lows removed The respiration still con-
tinucd The pulse beat family. The
corpse was alivew
With each recurring sentence the Doc
tor had frightened his grasp of my arm
He leant towards me, and he fairly Kissed
cut the words: "The corpse was alivep
After while he continued, with more
II Oder1tlon
"The incision above the heart was
well closed up and the body carefully re-
moved TO Il bed in an adjoining room.
But the work was not over. All that long
night va sat in the room, all OF us from
time To fine feeling the pulse of the DOW
| living man, and at times administering
small quantities of stimulant, not only
to him but to ourselves Our patience
was well rewarded; every moment the
pulse grew stronger and the breathing
deeper Several times the man opened
his eyes, but apparently took no notice
Of anything AT dayhreaE, when Judge
Warren and / left the place, he was sleep
ing"
DR. Bigelow was asked If the man was
still livlhg, and was he getting on nicely.
"Oh, ges; he is living. The expert
ment have described to you took place
! Just i've days ago. | hav, only this mo-
ment returned from the hospital. The
mans wounds ale healing, and he is able
| to move about the room"
"Docs he feel all right and Will he be
able TO 90 to work again.
/ II am. afraid not H. spoke in low,
| doubling tone Of voice which revealed the
| fact that tlIere was more Of the story than
Bigelow had yet related. Pressed TO tell
the full facts IN the case he said
,'Well, the man eats and drinks; seems
| to be afraid of other people or more GU
! rious thisn afraid, and is effected strange
| IL by the heat and cold But he can
| neither read nor write, does not know
the use of books, plates, or knives
! and forks. He is not able to talk, but
cries O tvery loudly, or jablers in an in
arucuata manner. Once ID while q
word can be distinguished, but the man
does not appear to perceive any difference
! between it and his iargon. The animal
! life has !,een restored, but not the spirit
! ual The mind with all its component
parts, has gone, fear, never TO be re-
| stored"
Th;s.s, indeed, 4 wonderful achieve
ment Of science. II ma seem too won
/ derful fer belief, but your correspondent
can vouch for the great rcspectability of
| the persons named They are gentlemen
| Of high standing, and the proof is irresist
iblc