Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1885-03-06
BRAIN SURGERY.
The Lessons Taught by the Practice Of
vfvisection.


vfvisection.
An extraordinary surgical operation.
marking almost new era in physiolo-
gical knowledge as well as surgical per-
formance, is reported in the London
Times. The success of the operation is
important for two reasons: it demon
strates the possibility of what had
hitherto been considered impossible,
and it illustrates the practical benefits
TO humanity of the experiments in vivi-
section of animals that have been SO
fiereely asSa led as wanton cruelty.
A patient had been admitted to one
of the London hospitals who had for
some time been afflicted with epilepsy
and paralysis of the brain. His suffer
figs had reduced him to the verge of
exhaustion, and an examination of his
case showed that no medicines could
save him or drugs do more than par
tall alleviate bis turtsFes Ussder al
previous methods Of treatment there
was nothing before him but months of
painful misery and an agonizing death.
It was evident that his was case of
tumorIof the brain and that no relief
could possibly be obtained without re-
moyalIo the tumor.
The existence of tumors of the brain
has been proved by post-mortem exam
nations, and their symptoms have been
ascertained by ante-mortem bedside
studies. But while clinical and patho-
logical observations supplied the knowl-
edge which enabled the skilled practi-
toner to detect the existence of the
tumors, they have not afforded any clue
to the situation of the morbid growths
in the brain-mass. The vivisection ex-
periments of Prof. Ferrier on rabbits
and monkeys, rendered unconscious of
pain by anesthetics. demonstrated the
localization of sensory and motor func-
tions in cerebral hemispheres, so that
| the position of any diseased process by
which they might be invaded could be
definitely determined. In many eases
it is possible to map out the seat of cer-
| tain pathological changes in these herni-
| spheres with SO much niceity ard cer-
tainty as if the skull and its coverings
and Innings had become transparent, so
that the surface of the brain was ex-
posed to direct inspection. DIR. Hughes
Bennett, in charge of the epileptic pa
tient. had watched the experiments of
Prof. Ferrier with close attention. and
by means of their revelations was able
to interpret the meaning of the eonyul-
sive twitchings of his patients muscles
and trace them to a certain point in his
brain. Here, DR. Bennett concluded.
was a small tunor. located in the
ascending frontal conyolution on the
right side, which was silently and re-
lentlessly eating its way into surround
ing textures.
The experiments of Prof. Ferrier had
not only enabled the skilled diagnoser
| to locate the seat of the disturbance,
but had also proved that an operation,
/ If performed with nice skill, would not
necessarily be fatal DR.. Bennett ex-
planned the situation to his patient. He
pointed out the impossibility of cure
| bv medicines, or even of retardino tie
progress of the destroying growth.
Then he offered him the chance of an
operation of formidable nature, one
never before performed on human be-
ing, under which he might, perhaps,
sink and die, but from which he might,
perhaps, obtain complete relief. The.
man had faith in his doctor and eagerly
chose the operation. On the 25th of
November, Mr.. Godlee, surgeon to Uni
versity College Hospital, in the midst of
| an earnest and anxious band of medica
men made an opening in the scalp,
skull, and brain membranes of the pa
tient at the point where DIR. Bennett had
placed his finger. the point correspond
ing with the convolution where he.
declared the trouble was seated, and
| where it was actually discovered. In
| the substance of the brain, exactly
where DIR. Bennett had predicted, a tu-
NOR the size of walnut. was found ard
removed without difficulty. At the time
| the account was written, sixteen days
after the operation, the man was conva-
lescent, having never had bad symp-
tom, and was full of gratitude for the
relief afforded him. He has been
snatched from the grave and from much
/ suffering, and there is good prospect
/ that he will be restored to life of COM
/ fort and usefulness.
The Importance of this case can not
be over-estimated. Hitherto cases Of
| epilepsy and paralysis caused by abnor-
NAL growths in the brain have been
deemed absolutely incurable. Now,
thanks to the experiments of Professor
Ferrier. this dreadful affiiction can be
conquered by surgical skill. Without
those experiments on chloroformed rab-
| bits and monkeys it would have been
impossible to localize the malady or at
tempt its. removal. The successful oper-
alton here recorded opens up new and
far-reaching vistas of hopefulness in
brain surgery. Noone who has watched
for months and years the progress of
the dreadful malady, witnessed the tor
lures of the sufferer. and realized the
utter helplessness of family, friends and
medical skill to stay the progress OF the
disc: Sc or mitigate its torttres, but will
recognize the magnitude Of the blessing
to humanity that has resulted from the
experiments in vivisection.-C C9eeeldaad
Herald.
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