The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-03-05
BRAIN SURGERY.
The Lessons Taught by tie Practice Of
VivisectioDs

The Lessons Taught by tie Practice ox
VivisectioDs
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 viyi-
section of animals that have been so
fiercely assailed 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
ings 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
TALLY alleviate his tortures. Under all
previous methods of treatment there
was nothing before him but months of
painful misery and an agonizing death.
| 1t was evident that his was case of
| tumor of the brain and that no relief
could possibly be obtained without re-
moval of 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 cases
it is possible to map out the seat of GER
tain pathological changes in these hemi-
spheres with so much niceity aDd GER
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. Dr. 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 convul-
sive twitchings of his patients muscles
and trace them to a certain point in his
brain. Here, DR.. Bennett concluded,
was small tumor, located in the
+ / 4oI Init a1
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 diagnoseI
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 a cure
by medicines, or even of retarding the
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. Th'
man had faith in his doctor and eagerly
!, chose the operation. On the 25th o
November, Mr.. Godlee, surgeon to Uni
versity College Hospital, in the midst o
an earnest and anxious band OF mediea
men made an opening in the scalp
skull, and brain membranes of the pa
tient at the point where DR.. Bennett hat
placed his finger. the point correspond
, ing with the convolution where h
declared the trouble was seated, ant
where it was actually discovered. L
the substance of the brain, exactl
where DIR, Bennett had predicted, a tu
NOR the size of walnut was found an
removed without difficulty. At the tim
the account was written, sixteen day
after the operation, the man was conva
lescent, having never had a bad symp
tom, and was full of gratitude for tn
relief afforded him. He has bee
snatched from the grave and from muc
: suffering, and there is good prospec
2 that he will be restored to life of com
fort and usefulness.
= EsThe Importance of this case can nc
be over-estimated. Hitherto cases {
epilepsy and paralysis caused by abnol
NAL growths in the brain have bee
|. deemed absolutely incurable. Nov
thanks to the experiments of Professc
q Ferrier, this dreadful affiiction can h
! conquered by surgical skill. Withol
= those experiments on chloroformed raj
l bits and monkeys it would have bee
:. impossible to localize the malady or a
9 tempt its removal The successful ope
y y alton here recorded opens up new an
! far-reaching vistas of hopefulness
: : brain surgery. No one Who has watche
1t for months and years the progress I
the dreadful mslady, witnessed the to
u lures of the sufferer, and realized tf
9 utter helplessness of family, friends an
y medical skill to stay the progress OF Il
9 disease or mitigate its tortures, but w
: recognize the magnitude of the blessir
to humanity that has resulted from Il
experiments in vivisection. CleUetG1
Herald.
--"Say, conductor, don't be stins
about it. Introduce me to that woms
x,n., xr,o,.o si1ct 40 IEipnr f0 1Oyir1 1arIr-