Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-11-18
] do not know whether it ever happen


yer Smith and t4ree cf the assistant suIg-
cons lived close to the hospital but in five
mtnu'cs the messenger returned with the
news that Sir Carver had been called to
some IsristUcraiic celebrity at the West
Il az y no had met with an accident, ana
mad takeu one uf the assistant surgeons
with him. The secoud was 0ut OF town;
and the third, who lad been left 10 act IN
emergencies, mad been taken Suddenly III.
We had been discussing the case and
of ring alvlce upon II with ! that calm
assurance winch charscterizss embryo
surgeons. But matters now became seri-
Ous. Half an hour would suffice to sum
mon one Of the other surgeons; but il
was PLAIN that something must be done a.
once. We all boxed at Adams, who bad
Sid very little hitherto bat bad me on
III tk,rg everything reaiY. lie simply
$50, "B gin TO give chlofolorm | am
going to opera'e"
WHAT are you going to dog we asked.
II told us; uu' | will not inf CT any
details upon my adcrs, but will simply
say that The sharp end OF broken smart
md maze ngrrow, deep cash in the root
Of the neck, and had wounded large
or cry. The operation contem plated
al rded almost the only chance of life;
aud to delay II any logger, Adams
said, would be throwing that chance
away. II was 81 operation Of
me highest diff ,u!'y and danger
uater the present condition OF the
party, and could its performance have
been anticipated, the theater would nave
been crowded with spectators from all the
b spitals IN London A d there was y
young surgeon Of 25 caled upon at few
inmates notice to undertake what many
long ex periencod surgeon might hesitate
to attempt; for it was mpossible to per-
10, m It without much additional loss OF
b % I, and it was not at all improbabl
t1st The patient might no survive the
or er .tion, To say nothing OF ste dangers.
Adams careful y explained TO tn, other
hon .e-surgeons what assistance they
would have 10 give him; and wheL the
patient was ready, comm need at once.
|, rfect silence reigned, broken only al
IN CIV is by word from the operator,
but lid ed he had little need to speak,
for We we're well drilled a. 81. Mlchaels.
ami everything he needed WAS put into
b hand almost betUr5 he asked for 1t. |
lbink cat eth see that quiet, esger
group OF young men under the brilliant
gsslRGh Standing around the pallld,
sium0ering, UNCONSCIOUS Cir, and In the
center the young surgeon, cool, collected,
win steady Eaad, without hurry, without
hesitation, doing his work | have vii,
messed inany Of the most brilliant opcrat
ors in England, ana OF course have seen
Adams himself May times in tnat thea
ter ia lsjer years; bat | think | never
saw that nights operation surpassed,
either by himself or sny one else. a
special demand sometimes calls forth
special powers, aud acts almost like sn
Inspiration; and 80 II seemed now.
Ia q short time II Vas done, and sue
cessfuliy done, and the patient wac Car
RED away 10 Il quiet ward, where she was
duly cared i,r by the nurse 10 charge,
Adams, and ST Carver Sn!th, who came
later on. | think Adams stayed up all
nj hit. Our miscellaneous entertainment
dad not come of; but we scarcely regret
ted the change OF programme. In place
where accidents are hourly, and opera
lions daily occurrences, one more or less
seldom creates much excitement; and
when | 20 on to gay tina, this case eX cited
more interest among residents ana nOd.
residents than almost any other case |
ever saw in the hospital, | wish you TO
clearly understand that this fact was due
entirely to the extreme professional inter
est of The case and the great enthusiasm
OF s.. Mlchaeps men tor the study OF
surgery. AT the same time, | may state,
although not psrticu arly bearing on the
question, that the patient WAS an uncom-
monty pretty girl; and day after day
piss.d by without any light being shed
on the question as To who she was and
whence she came--circums ances quite
sutii Client To excite ia mind not pre-oc-
cupied with such matters as burden the
intellect Of the average medical student,
the liveiiest interest and curiosity.
Alter toe operation she was at first too
Ill to he INTERCEPTED, and wheo she g1t y
little better she declined to give any in
t0rmai IN; At any rate none could be ob.
tanned from her. Perhaps she was g little
queer" with feyerish or hystirical ex-
element.
AT the expiration of two days went In
20 help win the dressings. Size was very
grateful for everything done for her, and
bore her pain very well. For long time
she was In s very critical state. as the
euphoniOus phrase Of the young protts
sion went, "Sbe had g very close shave FOR
IT," Al the end of three weeks, however,
she was in fairly smooth water; and tor
he fret time some OF the clinical class
went ia with Sir Carver Smith 10 see the
case He had hitherto sait nothing on
the subject of the operation. He was d
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, gentlemen, is q
casa of sp. and an ~ and hp brit n Z Y nj ain.