The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-11-13

Her features were exceedingly reruiar
and pretty, and when the color was in
her tacs she must have possessed very
considerable share of good looks. Moth
ing but purse and handkerchief were
found III her pocket. The former was
well nued and the latter was marked "E
Steal. Adams said at once that She was
lady.
L do not know whether it ever happen
ed before at St. Michaels that, on the
occurrence of a sudden emergency. no
one OF the surgical staff was 1t hand
Strange to say, it happened so tonight.
Or Carver Smith and three of the assist
ant surgeons lived close to the hospital;
put IN i've minutes the messenger re-
turned with the news that Sir Carver
Smith had been called to some aristocrat-
&c celebrity ut the West End, who had
met with an accident, and had taken one
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 ILL.,
We had been discussing the case, and
offering advice upon 1t with all that calm
assurance which characterizes embryo
surgeons. But matters now became seri-
Gus. Half an hour would suffice to sum
mon one OF the other surgeons: but it
was plain that som thing 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, "Beginto giyechloroform; [
am going to operate.
What are you going to do?" We
asked.
He told us: but [ Will not iutiict any
details upon my readers, but will simply
say that the sharp end OF a broken shaft
had made a narrow, deep cash in the
root of the neck, and had wounded
large artery. The operation cJntem-
plated afforded almost the only chance Of
life: and to delay It any longer, Adams
said, would be throwing that chance away.
1t was m operation Of the highest diff
Guilty and danger under the present con-
dltion OF the parts; and could its per
Torrance have been anticipated, the the
atre would have been crowded with spec
tators from all the hospitals III London.
And there was young surgeon Of
twenty-five, called upon at a few min
utes notice, to undertake what many
long-expericnced surgeon might hesitate
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 dan
gers.
Adams carefully expla medto the other
house surgeons what assistance they
would have to give him: and when the
patient was ready, commenced at once.
Perfect silence reigned, broken only at
intervals by a word from the operator.
but indeed, he had little need TO speak.
for We were well-drilled at st. Micnael's.
and everything he needed was put into
his hand almost before he asked for it.
| think | can still see that quiet, eager
group of Young men under the brilliant
gashght, standing round the pallid,
slumbering, 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 III
that theatre OF late years; but | think /
never saw that night 5 operation supass-
Ell by himself or any one else. \
special demand sometimes calls forth
special powers, and acts almost like an
inspirations; and SO it seemed now.
In a short time it was done. and sue
cCssfully done; and the patient was car
lird 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
ali night. Our miscellaneous entertain
meut 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 | 90 on to say that this case ex-
clted more interest among residents and
nOu-residents than almost any other case
| ever saw in the hospital, / wish you to
clearly understand that this fact was due
entirely 10 shc extreme professional in-
tereat OF the case, and the great euthu-
-lasIn OF St. MichaeIs men for the study
ct surgery. At the same time, | may
state, although not particularly bearing
on the question, that the patient was an
mcommonly pretty girl; and day after
day passed by without any light being
Shed OH the question as to Who she was
and whence she came-circumstanc
quite sufficient 10 excite in mind not
preoccupied with uch matters as bur
den the intellect of the average medical
student, tie hveiiest interest and curl
osIty.
After the operation, she was at first too
Ill to be nterr0gatcJ; and when she got
Il little better she declined to give any in
formation; IL any rate none could be OBJ
tanned from her Perhaps she was a lit
tie queer with feyerish or hysterical
excitement.
Al the expiration Of two days | went III
T. help with the dressings. Shewas very
grateful FOR everything Gone for her, and
bore her pain very we'll For a long
time She was in avery critical state AS
the cuphonious phrase OF the young pro-
tession went, 'Shc had q very close shave
for it. At the end OF three weeks, how
ever, she was III fairly smooth water; and
Tor the first time some OF the clinical class
went in with Sir Carver Smith to see the
case. lie had hitherto said nothing on
che subject OF the operation. He was a
man OF few words: but one word Of praise
or blame from him was never forgotten
by ANY OF Us. Turning to Us from the
patient, he said, This, gentleman, Is n
case OF so-aud-so;' and he briefly ex-
planned IT, Then he added: Nothing
but the most exceptional circumstances
could Justify a house-surgeon III this
hospital in undertaking an operation Of
such Importance. IN this case. those ex-
H -,