, 1884-09-30
CURING LIEUT.. GREELY
Surgeon Green Describes the Daily
Treatment of His Patient.
The Lieutenanps Condition when
Found-Process OF Bringing "A
Man out OF n state OF
starvation.


The story of Lieut.. Greely's recovery after
his rescue from Cape Sabine Is given by
Passed Assistant Surgeon Edward II. Green,
L. $. n, for the relief ship Thetis, In a com
munication to The Medical Record. The
cases Of Gneely's six fellow survivors, IL Is 10
marked, were very similar TO his. The con
dition OF all was 50 desperate that a delay OF
two hours in the camp was necessary before
they could be removed TO the relief vessels.
Brandy, milk, and beef essence were admin
istered
Lieut. Greely's disease is called by tho sur
geon asthenia, a diminution Of the vital
forces. Greedy tainted after being carried
to tho ward-room Of tho Thetis. When he
was brought 10, n ~teaspoonful Of minced raw
fresh beef was given to him. His clothes
werc carefully cut off Of him, and heavy red
hannels, previously warmed, were subst-
tuted. He was excessively emaclated, and
his body emitted an offensive odor. His skin
hung from his limbs In flaps. His face,
hands and scalp werc black with q thick
crust OF SCOT and dirt. He had not washed
himself or changed his clothing for ten
months. He had lived a long time at a
temperature inside the hut OF from five to
ten degrees above zero. He was nervous and
irritable, at times almost irrational, and his
eyes were wild and staring. He insisted on
talking, craving news and demanding food,
but he complained Of no pain.
His tongue was dry and cracked and
coated "A rown.sh black. He was ruvenously
hungry. His pulse was 81, and soft or
compreasible. His skin was cold, clammy,
shriveled, md sallow. His temperature
under the tongue was 0I.2 degrees. There
was great muscular waste, and he was unable
to move or to stand without support Before
leaving Fort Conger In August, 1883, he
weighed 1GS pounds. He now weighed 100
pounds. He was carried aboard the Thetis
about II p m. on June %, 1t being then
broad daylight III that region, and his treat-
ment from that hour until 8 o'clock tho next
morning was q ~teaspoonful Of minced raw
beef, alternated every half hour with a tea
spoonful Of milk punch. Strict quiet was
enjolned.
On Jun % Surgeon Green was compelled
10 allow him to read some letters from
homo, after which be seemed less restless.
He talked nationally, but showed a loss OF
memory In often repeating whit he had pre-
yiously said. He had not closed his eyes In
sleep since his rescue. There was excessive
constipation. The treatment was the same
hs during the night, except that finely cut
raw onion was added TO the minced beef,
and half an ounce OF milk punch was given
every two hours.
On the next day, jun -, although he had
yet had no sleep, and he showed n great dc
siro TO talk and read, there were signs Of im-
provement. He WIS less persistent in do
mRnding food, his tongue presented a moister
appearance, he began 10 complain Of soreness
in his limbs, and his heart sounded stronger.
Surgeon Green had him sponged with tepid
water and briskly rubbed with fannels. He
gave him a small quantity OF oatmeal thor
oughly boiled, beef essence, and scrRped beef
and onion.
On the next day, June 25, Lieut. Greedy
slept for the first time. He nwoke after two
or three hours, much refreshed. He talked
without excitement, and his tongue and skin
began 10 look more natural. His muscles felt
sore. and his ankles were puffea.
On the next day, June 20, his mind was
tranquil, but there was a loss Of memory OF
words, He was allowed TO sit up in bed and
read n little. He slept six hours. For the first
time since his rescue medicine was given him,
some muriate Of iron.
On the next morning he got eight ounces
Of broiled steak, and on the following day,
June %, he dressed himself and sat up for
two hours. His food was now gradually in
creased from day 10 day, and he continued
steadily TO improve. On July l he was well
bundled up, and allowed TO sit on deck for
an hour In tho sunshine. On July II tho
Thetis arrived az St Johns.
Lieut. Gerely's muscles were now filling
out rapidly, and he was allowed 70 60 on shore
and take exercise. Here, Surgeon Groen
says, the lieutenant committed an error In
diet at the American consul's table, and suf-
fered for two days with a slight attack Of IN
testinal indigestion. On July %, for the first
time, be was allowed TO eat three square
meals. Six weeks after his rescue be had
gained 40 pounds, He gained " pounds the
first week, IS pounds the second week, s
pounds the third week, z pounds the fourth
week, By pounds tho fifth week and 4 pounds
the sixth week. Surgeon Greon adds, under
the head OF "remArks:n
Vital depression, as exhibited by the tenn
peraturc, not marked; digestion fairly good
all the time; nervous system soon Gained.
Microscopic examination Of blood %disappoint-
ing, exhibiting no unhealthy character of
red blood globules. Liver not secreting.
large gain in weight, due to rapid assimila-
ton OF food owing to a great muscular
waste.