Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-24

made careful examination. In touching a
 certain part of Kemmerer's head Dr. Birch felt him vince. A close inspection of the
 particular spot revealed a recently healed
 wound. The hair had grown over it, but it
 could be seen that the skin seemed of very
 recent growth. 4 small piece of the scalp
 was removed. Than there was revealed the
 broken end of ak knife blade. The operation
 of trephining was performed and piece of
 skull about hesizesof 8 silver quarter re-
 moved. In the centre of this piece so firm
 ly imbedded tbat it could not be removed
 without breaking the bone, was found @ brok-
 en knife blade. One and three-efghths inches
 of the blade penetrated the brain. The blade
 entered the skull near the anterior superior
 angle of the left parietal bone, then penetra-
 ted the anterior portion of the left lobe of
 the cerebrum. When the operation had been
 performed an abseess was found surrounding
 the point of the blade. This was removed.
 In removing it about two ounces of brain
 matter were also removed and tissue that
 would cover the palm of an ordinary hand.
 The operation was performed on August 26.
 Before it was made it was evident that the
 man was dying; otherwise, perhaps, Dr.
 Hlrch would have deliberated before taking the risk.
 1t has since become known that Kemmerer worked in brick yard on Georges Island,
 Westchester county, N. YI He worked up to August 13. On August 15 he was stabbed. From tAat tims until f6dg after he sreacffed home his mind was blank. He will prob- ably never be able to tell how he reached home. To-day, in company with Dr. Birch the 1tnoes' correspondent paid the sick man visit. His condition is improving wonder fully. The oriice in his skull looks healthy
 It still emits 8 flow of pus, but the flow is daily growing less. His eye looks bright, and the cloud is gradually lifting from his brain
 He has regained the use of his limbs, and can walk about quite easily. lie can use his right arm and hand though not very well. He seems to under stand what is said, but cannot express himself. He makes the most tremendous ef-S forts to speak. To-day he was able to pro- trude his tongue for the first time since his return home. He can say ''Yes' and No" but that is the extent of his talking powers up to date. His appetite is good-"tremen- dous, " his wife says. He sleeps well at night, but seldom during the day. The popular theory-not, of course, among medical men -is that the forcible entrance of any foreign substance into the brain will cause Instant death. Kemmerer's case will have the effect of completely extinguishing this theory wherever it is heard of. Dr. Birch is conf dent that his patient will fully recover, and in this opinion most of his colleagues are with him. Accidents in which both skull and brain, but particularly the former suf- fer injury, are of frequent occurrence. Here is one which is bad enough in it's way to head the list. Al. Wilson is an engineer on the Reading road. He has been for number of years. Some time ago-several years-he was oiling his engine as it stood at station. His head was between the piston rod and the eccentric, when his fireman, who was una ware of Wilson's position, put his hand on the lever and started the engine. Wilson's head occupied the position of a nut in nut cracker. The result to his skull was what would have happened to the nut if the crack CT had been used in the ordinary way. Will sons skull was cracked, not in one place. but in several places. He was picked up in an unconscious condition. His death was looked upon as inevitable. Eight inches square of bone were taken from his skull. The brain was uninjured. To-day he runs his engine, and is considered one of the best men on the road. But if Kemmerer gets we'll, and the chances seem to be altogether in his favor, he will be natural curiosity here.