Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-20
SCIENCE TRIUMPHS.
A Living Mans Bowels Removed, Exam
ined by Sections, and Seven Perfora-
tions Sewed

The abdominal cavity of a man has
always been avoided by surgeons. Men
of greater or less eminence, who would
look with a certain degree of profess
ioual pleasure upon an operation in al
most any other portion of the body,
have hesitated when the question of
exploring this region was raised, and
listened 10 and shaped their action up
on the principle. when there is
wound in the bowels from whatever
cause it is bad surgery to touch or
probe it.
William McElroy, q truck-driver. in
New York was accidentally shot Nov.
81. 1884. with a thirty-two-calibre pis-
tol. He fell to the floor, but remained
conscious. An ambulance took him to
the Chambers Street Hospital, where
an examination showed that the ball
had entered the abdomen about two
inches to the left of and little below
the navel. The external wound was
slight. and the ball had stopped at
some point within the abdominal
cavity.
The patient was put to bed, suffering
watched. Within few hours signs of
extravasation appeared. His features
were pinched, his pulse feeble and rrem-
ulous. Excruciating pains radiated
from the seat of injury over the whole
abdominal region, and it was attended
with signs of collaspe. The muscular
effort Of breathing was confined to the
throat, and there was look of great
anxiety upon his face. 1t was evident
that the dreaded peritonitis would soon
be fully developed. A consultation was
held, it was determined that death
would speedily ensue unless relief was
afforded in some measure, and heroic
treatment was decided upon.
Within twenty hours after being shot
McElroy was transferred to the operat-
ing table. Ether was administered,
and he soon became unconscious. Elab-
crate precautions were taken to pre-
vent the introduction of disease germs
into the wound. A spray of vapor of
carbolic acid was played constantly in
to the room. which, to maintain the
temperature of the body, was kept at
uniform temperature of so deg. The
knives, forceps, needles, and sponges
that were to be used were kept in
warm solutions. An incision was first
made into the external wound, and it
was found to extend into the abdomi-
nal cavity. Considerable hemorrhage
began, but the blood was absorbed by
sponges. The incision was then in
creased to about eight inches through
the abdominal wall, the wound was
opened wide, and the intestines were
exposed. The flow of blood increased,
and it ran into the abdominal cavity.
After the hemorrhage was brought un-
der control the cavity was sponged out
and the search for the ball begun.
A small section of the intestine was
drawn carefully through the opening
at time, thoroughly inspected for
and laid upon the breast
between layers of cloth that had pre-
viouslv been wrung out of warm water.
This process was continued until the
entire intestines were taken out of the
body. The bullet was found in the last
section and removed. 1t was found to
have penetrated the intestine in some
places. As fast as each wound was
di covered further search was stopped
until the lacerated portion was sewed
with extremely fine silk thread. The
knots made in drawing the wounded
surfaces together were left in position.
After all the wounds were closed the
cloths were carefully removed from the
and they returned to their
proper position within the abdominal
walls. The large incision was then
closed. and it, as well as the bullet
was sewed up with silk. The
operation lasted two hours, and the
patient was kept under the influence of
ether the whole time.
Measures were at once taken to pre-
vent peritonitis. Morphine was given
IN small doses by hypodermic injec-
lions. A large coil of rubber tube was
placed on the abdomen, through which
4 s.,'eam of ice water was constantly
,ept running. For two days no nour-
shment was given through the mouth,
he patients strength being kept up by
of beef juice. This was done
% allow the stomach and bowels to
est and permit the wound made by |
he bullet to heal.
As soon as food could be given prop |
'rly McElroy gained strength, end in
/ comparatively short time was able to
it up in his cot, and afterward to walk
bout the hospital wards. He went out
# the hospital for the first time Christ
nas-Day, less than two months from
he time he was injured. and about a
week afterward he was discharged |
ured.