Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-11-10

OF the assistant surgeons with him. The
SECOND was out of town, and the third,
who had been left, to act in emergencies.
had been taken suddenly i'll.
We had been discussing the case, and
offering advice upon it with ill that cain,
assurance which characterizes embryo
surgeons. But matters now became seri.
ols. Half an hour would suffice to sum-
mon one of the other surgeons: but it
was plain that something must be done
at once. We all looked at Adams, who
had said very little hitherto, but had
gone on making everything ready. He
simply said, "Begin to give chloroform; l
am going to operate"
"What are you going to do?" we
asked.
He told us; but I will not inhict any
details upon my readers, but will simply
say that the sharp end Of broken shaft
had made narrow, deep cash in the
root of the neck, and had wounded a
large artery. The operation contem-
plated afforded almost the only chance Of
life; and to delay it any longer, Adams
said, would be throwing that chance away.
1t was an operation OF the highest diff
Guilty and danger under the present con-
dition of the parts; and could it's per-
Torrance have been anticipated, the the
atre would have been crowded with spec
tators from all the hospitals in London.
And there was a young surgeon of
twenty-five, called upon at few min-
utes' notice, to undertake what many a
long-experiencel surgeon might hesitate
to attempt, for it was impossible to per-
form it without much additional loss of
blood; and it was not at all improbable
that the patient might not survive the
operation, to say nothing Of after dam
gers.
Adams carefully explainedto the other
house surgeons what assistance they
would have to give him; and when the
patient was ready, commenced at once.
Perfect silence reignel, broken only at
intervals by word from the operator,
but indeed, be had little need to speak.
for we were well-drilled at St. Michael's.
and everything he needed was put into
his hand almost before he asked for it.
I think I can still see that quiet, eager
group of young men Under the brilliant
gaslight, standing round the pallid,
slumberlng, unconscious girl, and in the
centre the young surgeon, cool, collect
ed, with steady hand, without hurry,
without hesitation, dong his work. /
have witnessed many Of the most bril-
liant operators in England, and of course
have seen Adams himself many times in
that theatre of late years; but I think [
never saw that nights operation surpass.
ed by himself or any one else. A
special demand sometimes calls forth
special powers, and acts almost like an
inspiration; and so it seemed now.
In short time it was done, and sue
cessfully done; and the patient was car
rled away to quiet ward, where she WAS
duly cared for by the nurse in charge,
Adams, and Sir Carver Smith, who
came later on. / think Adams STAYED up
all night. Our miscellaneous entertain
ment did not come off; but we scarcely
regretted the change Of programme. In
place where accidents are hourly, and
operations daily occurrences, one more
or less seldom creates much excitement:
and when 60 on to say that this case ex-
cited more interest among residents and
non-residents than almost any other case
ever saw in the hospital, I wish you to
clearly understand that this fact was due |
entirely to the extreme professional in
terest OF the case, and tue great enthu-
slasm OF St. Michael's men for the study
OF surgery. At the same time, 7 may
state, although not particularly bearing
on the question, that the patient was an
uncommonly pretty girl; and day after
day passed by without any light being
shed on the question as to who she was
and whence she came-circumstances
quite sufficient to excite in mind not
preoccupied with such matters as bur-
den the intellect of the average medical
student, the ive]iest interest and curl
osity.
After the operation, she was at first too
Ill to be interrogated; and when she cot
a little better she declined to give any in
formation; at any rate none could be OBJ
tanned from her. Perhaps she was lit
tie ''queer' with feverish or historical
excitement.
At the expiration of two days 1 went in
to help with the dressings. Shewas very
grateful for everything done for her, and
bore her pain very we'll. For a long
time she was in avery critical state. AS
the euphonious phrase Of the young pro-
Iesslon went, "She had a very close shave
tor it,. At the end of three weeks, how
aver, she was in fairly smooth water; and
:or the first time some OF the clinical class
vent in with Sir Carver Smith to see the
case. He had hitherto said nothing on
The subject Of the operation. He was
nan OF few words; but one word Of praise
or blame from him was never forgotten
oy any OF us. Turning to us from the
patient, he said, "This, gentleman. is q
case of so-and-so;" and he briefly ex-
planned it. Then he added; "Nothing
out the most exceptional circumstances =.
could Justify house-surgeon in this
hospital In undertaking an operation of
such importance. In this case, those ex-
,eptional circumstances existed. The
operation is one of great difficulty and !
:arity. have once, many years ago,
performed it myself, and the patient :!
lied. Had my patient recovered, such
recovery would then, I believe. have
oeen without precedent. But the graft
ication to myself Of having performed :
he first successful operation, would not
nave been greater than is my gratifca- :
ion now at having under my care case t!
which will, [ believe, recover, and whose
recovery will be due, without doubt, to
he prompt and skillful action of st.
alchaels student, my own house-sur- !
,eon, Mr.. Adams
"Strong for Carvy, and good for !!
Adams,' was the general comment. !
Adams pretended to be writing notes: ..
out there was not one of us who would
'eadly have suffered "ploughing IN |
'ur final college" to gain such word /
rom Carver Smith. I
And now my fair readers, if you will {
urn to the clinical report of the cele- I
grated case in the pages of the Lancet,
omewhere about March 49,, YOU will
ind it stated that "after this point the ,
'ase presents no features of special in :
crest; convalescence was rapid, and the !
9atient was discharged cured on the
orty seventh day after admission" I .
therefore give you fair notice that you :
nay lay down this record here and not =
cad any further unless you like. r
Yes; she recovered rapidly; and /
orettier and prettier she grew as she got .
better. She talked very little, and said 9
aothing at all to help her Identification. r
inquiry was fruitless, even though the !