The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1882-07-29
AN INTERESTING CASE OF LUNG.
TAPPING,

One would ,hasdly suppose that per.
son could run lance into his side four
inches, and into the lung at that, and
live. Yet such is the case and we have
man who has done it in Reno. Mr.. A,
H. Barnes, of the Golden Eagle Hotel,
has worn silver tube for thirty years,
thereby saving his life. An account of
this remarkable surgery cannot fail to be
interesting. The year lS49 Mr.. Barnes,
then residing at Sycamore, De Kalb
county, Illinois, was pronounced an in
durable case of consumption, being con-
fined to his bed, entirely FRUSTRATED, and
reduced to mere skeleton He has
been afflicted with cholera, typhoid,
pneumonia, and pleurisy, finally result
ing as above mentioned, and when he
came under the treatment of j. NJ.
Woodman, NJ. D., then of the same
place, his life had been despaired of.
The lower part Of the left lung was rap
idly decaying; there was violent cough
ing, accompanied by excessive expecto-
ration, pains, sinking spells, etc., and it
was considered that short time would
suffice for the dread disease to finish its
work. There was the usual daily "hectic
fever" followed by profuse night sweats,
and the left lung, when submitted to ex-
animation by PERCUSSION, gave forth only
the usual dull thud known in such cases.
All the known remedies" and soothing
appliances, etc., were brought into re.
QUESTION, as well as the skill of the best
medical talent, but all to no avail And
now Genes the interesting part of this
narrative. DR.. Woodman and Mr..
Barnes, on consultation, conceived the
idea OF tapping the lung, with view to
drawing off the accumulating matter
which was causing SO much pain and ex.
haustion in expectorating, as well as so
rapidly carrying the victim to the grave.
Long and earnest were the consultations,
and as each day saw the patient failing a
little, so each day gave him courage to
have the operation performed. Pains
and threatening from the other lung also
fastened action. All medical men who
were consulted secuted the idea, claim.
ing that Immediately upon the air strik
ing the lung from the incision, the lung
would collapse, and death result in
stantly. But, in the face of all opposi
ton, it was decided to 60 ahead. All
necessary preparations having been made
an incision was made between the sixth
and seventh ribs. Then large silvel
needle was inserted four inches directl,
into the lung, without meeting any sole
substance. Then silver catheter tub,
was inserted; when Immediately ther
commenced rapid discharge of thick
heavy matter, until over quart has beel
discharged. To the great JOY of all pres
ent, instead of any bad effects, there wa
immediate relief, and case in breathing
the coughing and expectoration nearl,,
ceased, and in short space of time TIL
patient dropped into quiet, refreshin
sleep, from which he awoke, calling fo
something to eat. Of course, now a
thoughts turned to saving the patient
and the doctor was daily and nightly a
the bedside, daily repeating the opera
tion Of inserting the tube, for man
weeks, each time drawing off larg
amount of matter, and with his ow
hands lifting the patient from the be
when occasion required. Mr.. B. all tn
time improving rapidly, the operatio
was continued at intervals for about on
year, when comparatively health was re
stored, and the daily discharge was onl
few drops of colorless fluid, or slight,
colored serum. The upper part of tn
lung became active--but with diminishe
action--to about the sixth rib, where a
respiration ceased. The orifce was no
allowed to heal, the life saving silvt
tube was carefully laid away for futu,
use, if ever needed, and Mr.. 3. wer
about his business in active life, for
period of thirteen years. During tn
time, he had frequent attacks of coug
and pain; was at times confined fl
weeks in the house, in the meantin
(ls6l) having moved to Honey Lal