The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-01
NOVEL FEAT In SURGERY.
DR.. Watts Removes an liberated Tail from
Savage Bengal Tigress.

BosToN, May 30-A dangerous and exciting
surgical operation on the tail of savage Bengal
tigress was successfully performed to-day by Dr.
AL Watts. "Al" is an Englishman, the keeper of
a small menagerie here, with reputation for
tanning wild animals. His novel patient is con-
nected with travelling circus now at Salem.
Three weeks ago, while in Connecticut, the fe-
rocious beast, in fit of fury bit off most of
her own tail. The wound did not heal and
the sore stump caused almost intoerable pain.
The bowling set the other animals wild, and the
circus was in uproar all the time
In this emergency Or. Watts was sent for. A
man was selected to assist, the Doctor called for
some rope and the circus began The frat thing
to be done was to secure the animal in the cage.
One paw was quickly roped. and then the
trouble commenced, Growing roaring and
biting, the furious beast plunged from one side
or the cage to the other and it was fully ten
minutes before the second forward paw
secured in the rope. The rear legs were more
easily bound The tigress was given log of
wood TO bite to prevent the possibility of iniict
ing injury upon herself The door swung open,
and In second the Doctor was astride the brute.
With knife and saw he went to work to sever
the projection close to the rump. An attache,
in the meantime, held the log of wood in the
animals mouth. Before the Doctor had quite
finished his job the wood was reduced to matches,
and a piece of pine board was substituted,
Seven pieces of bone were picked out of the
tail.
The rawlings of the agonized animal in the
meantime were perfectly fearful. Despite the
firm grip the attendant had secured upon her
right forepaw, the animal managed to get it
loose. She made a vicious pass at the Doctor,
but he got out of the cage too soon. The paw
was again secured, but Mr.. Watts contented
himself with operating from the outside of the
cage afterward. 1t took the Doctor just thirty
minutes and forty five seconds to complete his
clipped away with tiny pair of scissors. and
the wound thoroughly saturated with weak So
luton of carbolic acid and water. In fact, every
possible attention was paid the afflicted member.
Then. adjusting his glasses afresh the Doctor
exclaimed: "Hi say, Erman my boy, hi guess
you'll ave no more trouble with hit Hit will be
hall well hin nlue days"
1t was no trfiing matter to release the animal.
Her rear legs being set at liberty, she upon
her hauncLes and made tremendous effort to
free herself. Then suddenly her strength gave
out. There Gid not seem to be a particle of
energy left in her. The ropes were removed
from her forward paws. and for three minutes
she lay on the bottom of the cage almost lifeless
She soon reganed her spirits, however, and
Gained by the Doctors reassuring words, Pretty
girl" she appeared as happy as the skillful sur
geon who had inperiled his life for hers. The
animal is about six feet long, three feet in
height, and weighs nearly 500 pounds. She is
nearly four years of age and extremely excita-
bic, the fact that she will bite herself when
frenzied shows