The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-16
THE MoxA.
Not Such Terrible Instrument of Torture
After All.


Detroit Post.
'sThe firing process is rapidly growing in use
said Detroit doctor to a Post reporter the
other day. The idea of rubbing white hot
instrument of steel down ones spinal column is
naturally horrifying even to person of strong
nerves, yet many women resort to the operation
as the only means that seem calculated to afford
relief to their sufferings.p
rs there any danger in it?" was asked.
Not particle / will describe case to you
just to show you how much at fault the impress
sion of many people is. A widow lady of this
city, who was afflicted with spinal disease of
an aggravated character, had for some time been
one of my patients. She had been a sufferer for
ten or twelve years, and was consequently grow
ing worse. suggested the firing process, but
she had heard so many exaggerated reports
about the operation that at first her mind re-
yolted at the mere thought of the thing As
time progressed her condition became quite
serious. She was fast losing the use of her
lower limbs, and her eyesight was failing rap
idly. Like most persons in her situation, the
fear of death overcame all other fears, and she
finally consented to the operation. The pro-
cedure in her case was the same as in scores of
others have handled
The spinal column was barred, and by pressing
at different points along the column or on each
of the spinous processes, the exact location of
the disease was ascertained. 1t was found to be
near the lower portion of the spine, where the
lumbar and sacral nerves emerge from the
spinal column and unite to form the great sciatic
nerves that extend through the lower limbs.
While the seat of the troublt was being located,
an assistant placed the patient under the influ-
ence of choloroform and in three seconds the
firing was all over. The patient showed no
symptoms of pain when the heated instrument
was applied, and when restored to consciousness
by the use of aqua ammonia was surprised to
learn that the burning had taken place, as she
had not felt any pain. She experienced very
little discomfort when restored to the full posses
sion of her Sensibilities."
What was the effect of the operation?n
TO restores the use of the lower limbs. It
also materially benefited the ladys eyesight
But to secure the best results with the eyes
similar operation would be necessary further up
the spine the region of the cervical nerves.
What is the theory of the methodla
ut is that the spinal cord is infamed, and that
the burning produces discharging wound,
which, by revulsion, draws the Inflammation to
the surface. Its effect is in kind like that Of
the blisters and counter-irritants employed by
most physicians only it is more powerful and
effective. The trouble with blisters in my
Judgment. is that they are not sufficiently
strong, while consider them more painful in
the long run than the firing process
Do you always employ chlorofoFnp
No In many cases do not consider it
necessary. In fact it is seldom that there is an
imperative need of it. I never burn the back in
more than three places-once over the spine
itself and once each side of it-and the operation
is also over in two or three seconds. Sometimes
only two marks are made and they are rarely
over six inches in length, and sometimes only
four. When the burning is completed dressings
are applied to the burned parts and are replaced
by others as the soreness is removed Thus all
the Inflammation of the spine is drawn out. Be
sides spinal diseases the remedy is eficacious in
cases Of epileptic fits, paralysis, either para
plegia or hemaplegia. locomotor ataxia, and
any affection where concentration is needed"
How long has firing been employed by ply
sicians?p
81 can not tell when it originated. No one, L
suppose, can tell just how long it has been used.
Actual cautery, that is, burning by hot irons in
distinction from burning by caustic medicines,
has long been resort of practitioners in very
serious cases, but with the rude instruments
employedin years past it was an operation
much moro to be dreaded than the firing as it is
done at the present day.. Ten or fifteen years
ago polished steel, heated to the requisite de-
gree by the best means available, was used.
lin my own practice formerly used glass
rod in preference to steel, because the flesh ad-
heres to the steel The steel usually takes the
cuticle off with it, while the glass does not.
Great care is necessary in using the glass rod,
however. When it is being heated it is liable to
crack and fly into thousand pieces, causing Sc
rious injury. now employ an instrument made
by Charriere, of Paris. The French, you know,
employ the firing process much oftener than we
do here in America, and believe all the i'm
proved instruments come from France.
This that ] have is known as
the 'thermo- cautiere The principal thing
is the rod itself, which is hollow, and composed
Of peculiar metal The end of the rod is first
heated, not necessarily to a very great degree,
and then by means of rubber tubes and pump
gas is forced into the rod and by its action
rapidly heats the end Of the rod to a white heat.
The operation is then performed.
HAre there many doctors in the United States
who use the method?r
VERY few, although the number is increas-
ing Some very prominent physicians now en-
ploy it. There are Dr. Hammond, Of New
York ana DR.. Pancoast, Of Philadelphia, and
others that might name who often fire the
back very successfully"