Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-16
A CANCER LIKE GRANTS.
The Whole Tongue Taken Out-Cutting
Into the Throat.
From the Ne,O YORK. Tribune.

From the Nelo York Tribune.
On Tuesday last an exceedingly inter-
. 'sting operation was performed at the
8 New York Hospital for the removal of
cancer of the tongue and throat. 1t was
+ Interesting both on account of the surgi-
4 ca difficulties to be overcome, and from
4 he fact that the cancer was identical in
nature and situation with that which
brought Gen. Grants life to a close. DIR.
aarkOe, who examined both of these
Cases, said that they were precisely SINH
The patient was a colored man, IS
Fears old, employed in a downtown
ouse. About the middle of last Septem-
III his throat began to give him serious
oube. He was treated by a downtown
1!slcian without receiving any relief.
ilree weeks ago he consulted a young
ayslcian in regular standing, by whom
s case was diagnosed as either cancer
the throat and tongue or as the result
4 specific disease. II it was of specific
xngln it might be relieved and perma-
ently cured by constitutional treatment,
while If it proved TO be cancer relief
#olld be given only by the surgeons
aIle, and that only temporarily. The
lyscan placed him under treatment
aica would have given marked relief had
ae trouble been OF specific origin. No
leet being produced, the cancerous ma
lIe OIL the affection was proved by eX-
usl0n, and the man was sent TO the New
ork Hospital. The operation on Tues
ny was performed by Drs. Weir and
WI, the attending surgeons, assisted by
lIee OF the house surgeons, three trained
lTses in white caps Snd aprons, and one
aiwart attendant The spectators num-
'Ieu about 80, aud comprised many old
acutioners and number OF medical
ieenis, brought together by the extra
uha?y interest OF the case. Prof.
gH IN giving the history OF the case,
alled attention to its resemblance TO that
4 zen. Grant, and discussed the inllu-
ls oi smoking in inducing cancers Of
mouth, throat and tongue. he stated
lal cases Of this kind we're six times as
lMefous in men as in women and that
men affected we're almost invariably
MIXERS. He believes, however, that
3It clay pipes were by far the most
VI, vi sources OF cancer and that the
-ohlhg Of cigars In moderation seldom,
ever induced such disorders. The pa
~ 10 De operated on had for years been
Ma ue naht Of smoking short clay pipe.
Duflng the operation one assistant held
patlenps head in position. The sole
upalOn Of another was 10 keep the pa
under the influence OF ether, ard
~ kept the instru ments clean and sup
,su lhe operators with instruments and
a.ures when needed. Tho nurses were
NY supplying fresh sponges and
"e's' The operation resolved itself into
parts; first, tracheotomy; second,
ing tue throat along the lower Inner
'uef OF the iaw-bOne, and third, the ex-
.'n Of the tongue and the infected pOr-
,n, vi ne floor Of the mouth. Trachco-
Il l ~ az operation IN which an opening
'"ue IN the trachea, or wind-pipe, be-
i pc tnyriod cartilageor. adams APP
ana tho introduction Of silver tube
Wy person TO breath through, when by
,1snt or by design the air IL prevented
o'., ntefing the lungs by way Of the
~ ana nose. In this case tracheotO-
aAs necessary because OF the liability
'i No 70 get into the trachoa and bron-
mere 70 produce disastrous effects
49, ~ choking the man or BY its sub
egt pntrofaction, inducing fatal sep
MIA. To prevent this the mouth was
lull Or spongos, and II was there
eeasarg 70 provide an artificial
-1ei Tor precipitation. A vertical incis-