The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-24
Fireman stickney's New Arm.

Springfield (Mass.) Corr. New York Sun.
The night OF 2ctober II, 1884, was
a remarkably disastrous one to sever
al local railroad men. That night the
Boston and Albany train, due here at
1890 o'clock, struck a pile OF rails
and ties placed on the track near Kin
derhook, N. Y, and the forward part
of the train became a total wreck.
The engine turned on it's side and
plunged into the bank. the light ex-
press car leaped over the tender and
on to it and the tender was rolled
over and smashed into it by the ex-
press car. The whole formed cage
in which were penned engineer Isaac
Davee OF this city and fireman Henry
f. stickney of West Springfield, with
broken steam pipes kissing their scald-
ing contents over them.
The steam and hot water secured
away the sand at one edge OF the cab,
and through this opening stickney
made his way out, and, blinded,
scalded, but needless of his own suffer
ing, hastened for help for Davee.
When they took hold Of Davee's hand
to help him out the flesh and skin
came off in the grasp. The poor fel-
low was taken out, only to die in q
few minutes. Then Stickney fell, ex-
hausted, and it was found how serious
were his wounds. His right hand
and arm were burned down to the
muscles, except little diamond
shaped piece OF skin in the fexure OF
the elbow, and the finger nails and
skin OF the hand came of when the
yarn jacket was removed. The left
hand and wrist, the face, neck and
head, except the hair covered by his
cap, and his right side and back down
to the wrist were almost as badly
scalded. Surgeons who saw him that
night thought the arm would
have to be amputated to save his
life, but it was feared that the second
shock might be fatal, and his case was
looked upon as rather hopeless. The
drain on the system from healing up
SO large O burned surface was danger
Gus, and the cicatrices would natural
ly make the arm a deformed and use
less member should he recover. Stick
ney rallied and wished to save his arm
if possible. knowing that his family
physician, DR.. U. II. Flagg OF West
Springfield, had had experience in skin
grating, he sent for him. The doctor
decided to begin as soon as possible,
and believed he could save the arm.
Some valuable time was lost while
Stickney remained at Kmderhook, but
when he was removed to his home in
West Springfield the grating was car
ried on regularly, and replacing the
lost cuticle was the patient and faith
full work Of six months. In that time
24S little wedge-shaped pieces of skin
were taken from his thigh, q few each
morning and transferred to his arm
and hand. being held in place by plas-
ter until they took root. The grating
was begun at the hand and continued
up the arm. The back was similarly
treated, and only one graft out OF the
whole number failed to grow. During
this time about three pints OF sweet
oil were used daily to keep the skin
and flesh in proper condition. The
arm lay during theprocess in a padded
box without ends. The patient, OF
course, suffered a good deal, and part
OF the time he was blind from the
scalding. He lost all his hair, and the
sand driven into his face and neck by
the steam had to be slowly dug out.
Had he not protected his face and
mouth with this arm he must have
breathed the hot steam and died, as
did Davee. y
In ten months new veins and tissues
were formed and a new thin skin had
grown over all the wounds. The arm
was much wasted, but as the new skin
grew tf4, patient gained strength. Just
year and a day from the date of the
accident Stickney was able to takeupa
light task where he did not have to use
his arm much. He could write and
hold things firmly with that hand.
The arm has since gained in size and
strength, ndrotation OF the arm and
forearm is nearly perfect, while the
fingers clench naturally. The skin is
nearly normal, and only has to be
oiled and kept warm.
Stlckney now feels able to resume n
place in the cab, and will do so. not.
however, as fireman. but as engineer.
1t is the policy of the Boston and Al
bany company promoteits fremen,
and Stickney's recent experience az
travelling engine Inspector which he
has been for several months past.
gives him special fitness for the post.
His case has excited considerable
interest, and he has been asked by
prominent surgeons to appear before
thelr classes as lecture subject.
stlckney is thirtyseven years old.