St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1885-03-14
BRAIN SURGERY.
The Lessons Taught by tie Practice .
vivisectfon.


The Lessons Taught by tie Practice -
vivisection.
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
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 apd 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. 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 convul-
sive twitchings of his patients muscles
and trace them to a certain point in bis
brain. Here. DIR. Bennett concluded,
was a small tumOr, located in the
ascending frontal convolution 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
by medicines, or even of retarding the
progress of the destroying growth.
Then he offered him the chance of m
operation of a 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 DR.. 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 DR., Bennett had predicted, a tu-
NOR the size of walnut was found and
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.
0The 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 afiiiction 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
disease or mitigate its tortures, but will
recognize the magnitude of the blessing
to humanity that has resulted from the
experiments in Cleveland
Herald.
Say, conductor. don't be stingy
about it. Introduce me to that woman
you were just talking to so lovingly" "
ssCo.xo;rl,,. cto,> r;rht Ovor Me- hCb