Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-11-04
touring LIEUT.. GREELY
Surgeon Green Describes the Daily
Treatment of His Patient.
The Lleutenant's Condition When
FOund-Process Of bringing =
Man Out Of a state OF
Starvation.
New Work SIM ]


The story Of Lieut.. Greely's recovery after
his rescue from Cape Sabine is given by
Passed Assistant Surgeon Edward II. Green,
Z. 5. ", for the relief ship Thetis, in a com
munication TO Tho Medical Record. The
cases of Greely's six fellow survivors, it is re
marked, were very similar to his. The con.
dition Of all was SO desperate that 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 the sur
geon asthenia, diminution of the vital
forces Greedy tainted after being carried
to the ward-room of the Thetis When he
was brought to, teaspoonful of minced raw
fresh beef was given to him. His clothes
were carefully cut off Of him, ard heavy red
/ fiannels, previously warmed, were substi-
tuted. He was excessively emaciated, and
his body emitted an offensive odor. His skin
hung from his limbs in flaps His face,
hands and scalp were black with 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
temperature inside the hut of from five to
ten degrees above zero. He was nervous and
eyes were wild and staring He insisted on
talking, craving news and demanding food.
but be complained of no pain.
His tongue was dry and cracked and
coated a brown:sh black. He was ravenously
hungry. His pulse was 50, and soft or
compressible. His skin was cold, clammy,
shriveled, and sallow. His temperature
under the tongue was 91.2 degrees There
TO move or TO stand without support Before
leaving Fort Conger in August, ISs}, he
weighed l6S pounds He now weighed l20
pounds. He was carried aboard the Thetis
about IL p. III. on June - il being then
broad daylight in that region, and his treat
ment from that hour until S O'Clock the next
morning was teaspoonful Of minced raw
beef, alternated every half hour with tea
spoonful Of milk punch. Strict quiet wa
enjoined.
On June % Surgeon Green was compelled
30 allow him to read some letters from
home, after which he seemed less restless.
He talked nationally, but showed loss of
memory in often repeating what he had pre-
viously said. He had not closed his eyes in
sleep since his rescue. There was excessive
constipation. The treatment was the same
us during the night, except that finely cut
raw onion was added to the minced beef,
and half an ounce of mill, punch was given
every two hours.
On the next day, June "A, although he had
yet had no sleep, and he showed a great de
sire TO talk and read, there were signs Of i'm
provement. He WAS less persistent in de
handing food his tongue presented 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 tiannels He
gave him small quantity of oatmeal thor
oughly boiled, beef essence. aud scraped beef
and onion.
On the next day, June -, Lieut.. Greedy
slept for the first time. He awoke after two
or three hours much refreshed He talked
without excitement, and his tongue and skin
began to look more natural His muscles felt
sore, and his ankles were pulled.
On the next day. June :26 his mind was
Tranquil, but there was loss of memory of
words. He was allowed to sit up in bed and
read little. He slept six hours For the first
time since his rescue medicine was siyenhim,
some nuriato of iron.
On the next morning he got eight ounces
Of brailed 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 he was well
bundled up, and allowed to sit on deck for
an hour in the sunshine. On July II the
Thetis arrived at St Johns.
Lieut. Gerely's muscles were now filling
out rapidly. and he was allowed to 20 on shore
and take exercise. Here, Surgeon Green
says, the lieutenant committed an error in
diet at the American consuls table, and suf-
fered for two DAYS with slight attack of in
festival indigestion On July %, for the first |
time, he was allowed to eat three square
meals. Six weeks after his rescue he had
gained 40 pounds. He gained % pounds the
first week, Is pounds the second week, S |
pounds the third week, pounds the fourth |
week. D. pounds the fifth week and 4 pounds |
the sixth week Surgeon Green adds, under |
the head of remarks
Vital depression, as exhibited by the tenn
peraturc, not marked; digestion fairly good |
all the time: nervous system soon Gained. |
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 20 a great muscular
xeat-