Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-16

LOU was hrst made through the skin of the
neCA just below the thyroid cartilage
anu tae dissection was carried down
tn a,oeSH tne muscles Of the neck until the
t .sGOn .s was reached. In the course of
~ nis e"9 OF three large blood-vessels had
~ TiaWn aside, and several small
ones, which had been severed. were tied
Aiter the kemorrhage had been STONED
IN tnls way an incision was made in me
.Ii;a and a portion on one of the car
suSSldous rings was removed. Into the
VIiuee mus produced silver trachotomv
o"pe was thrust, being held in position by
udnu passing around the neck. The
nVulh was then stuffed with spOnges.aud
Instedu oil the canvas cone saturated with
etuer previously held over the mouth and
nostIlls, sponge kept moist with ether
was was now placed over the orifce OF the
ttacneOtomy tube, through which all res
piratlon was taking place.
FlhaHy the young man in charge of the
etuerlzauon was requested to make him
sen as small as possible and the main OPP
eraIlOn began. An incisiOn was first
mace through the skin, Just inside of
ana below the lower jaw, extending from
near the chin around past the lower pos
terror angle Of the jaw and up toward the
ear Inc tissues were then cautiously
cuC through. The submaXiilary gland
moved, and the numerous bloOd-vessels
which had been severed were separately
selzed with the forceps and tied with
SIN hgature, to stop the hemorrhage
Whicn, though easily controlled by this
means, assumed, just at this point, some
what serious proportions. Occasionally
the patient would gag, owing to the accu-
mutation of mucus in the trache otOmy
JuDe. This was instantly spouged out,
ana the patient again breathed quietly.
After the dissection had been carried
down until only layer of mucous mem
Ofane separated the wound from the cavi-
W OF the mouth, the hemorrhage having
been arrested, the mucous membrane
was cut through, and the base of the
tongue was exposed to view. The cancer
could then be seen occupying the right
side OF the base of the tongue and ex-
tending pretty well into the floor of the
mouth. After brief consultation as to
whether the left side Of the tongue could
not be saved, it was decided to divide the
tongue along the median line, to remove
the flght half, and then, if the left half
was found to be infected. to remove that
also. ThisTplan was carried out, and it
was found necessary to remove the left
side as we'll as the right. This excelsior of
the tongue involved the severing of a
dozen or more fair-siZed blOod.vessels
and of numerous small ones, and the
operators were kept busy tying them up.
The hemorrhage having ceased, the pa
TENTS stomach was thoroughly washed
out with water, in order to prevent vOm-
iting after recovery of consciousness,
which would seriously disarrange the an
tiseptic dressings to be applied TO the
wounded interior Of the mouth. The
wound made by inserting the tracheOtomy
tube was dressed with iodOf0rm. To the
interior of the mouth was applied an an
tiseptic dressing containing salicylio
acid. The administration of ether was
then discontinued, and while the patient
was gradually regaining consciousness
the wOdnd was sewed up with cat-gut
stitches and the operation was com
pleted.
The man will be kept under treatment
at the hospital for a few days, hOursh-
ment being given in the form of injections
Of peptOne and the like, until the interior
of the mouth has been healed up. The
patient will then be discharged, cured,
but, as DR.. Weir explained, he will prOba-
bly, live only IS months even if the opera
ton is as successful as is hoped.