Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-14
SAVED RY SURGERY.
Bresthfng for Two Years Throughs sil-
Yer Tube in His Throat.

Fran the Nashville AD.sric1a.
Drs. j. W. Maddin, Sr. and Jr., and J.
L. Watkins yesterday examined a man
whose existence depends upon a remark
able piece Of surgery. His name was
Chas. Hinton, his age about 70 years,
aud, though his apparel did not proclaim
him wealthy, his conversation Indicated
the shrewdess OF one who has seen mucn
Of the world. His life has of late been
interesting. About two years ago be was
Injured in railroad accident
near New Orleans, La. The car IN
which he was seated was thrown
down an embankment and smashed 10
pieces. Ee was asleep at the time OF the
accident, and the first thing he knew be
was pinned down between TWO seats with
blood gushing from terrible cut. me
end of piece Of timber had struck him
on the right cheek and torn cash which
eXtended by way of the throat TO his lett
ear. But this was not the most serious
injury. The hyOid bone, which IS that
just above the protuherance In the neck
popularity known as adams APPLE had
been broken. The vocal cords which are
at the top of the wnd-pipe we're bruised
and began TO rapidly swell over the
orifice where air is breathed. HIM
ton was removed from the wreck as
soon as possible, aud carried TO the Char
ity Hospital at New Orleans. The cut
was sewed up with ease, but the broken
bone was cause Of serious trouble. The
swelling of the vocal chords 1t was seen
would soon completely close up the wind
pipe, and some other means OF breathing
had quickly to be provided. An orifice In
the wind-pipe Just below the chords was
made, and silver pipe, about two and a
nalf inches long and a quarter OF an men
IN diameter, was inserted. The Tube was
curved in shape about three-quarters OF
an inch protruded out OF the neck into
the air. flange at the
end preventing 1t from fall
ing back into the throat. Through this
tube the man inhaled air. The operation
was common to surgery as temporary
eXpedient, 1t being usual for the vocal
chords when bruised to soon resume their
normal proportions and allow the free
access OF air To the wiudpipe. In this in
stance, however, the broken bone con-
tinuously pressed against the chords and
prevented their proper healing. To this
patient was presented the embarrassing
alternative of either forever utilizing the
tube as breathing adjunct 10 the de-
mOraliZed wiBdplpe or shutting off the
mortal coil. lie determined to cleave close
to mis- silver pipe, and so far it has done
him natures service. True, he has
to remove 1t for a moment or
two daily to cleanse 1t, and unfortunately
it conveys to his lungs more than his
quota of summer dust and winters frosty
air, thereby causing his lungs to alternate
between congestion and Inflammation;
but he meets fate braVely and says he
will live as long as the next man. He has
been unable to work continuously, but
has eked out living by offering his
throat for the inspection Of medical col
lanoC Eurhn a n
willing to pay for the knowledge Of sur
gerry which his condition affords. DR..
Watkins will, this fall, give to his class
at the medica! department of Vanderbilt
University, the benefit Of his observations
upon the case.