News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-09-16
FIREMAN STICKNEY'S NEW ARM.
Patiently Built up by SI<in-Grafting During
Many Months.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass-The night of
October II, 1884, was remarkably dis
astrOus one to several local railroad men.
That night the Boston and Albany train
due here at 1890, struck 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 its side and plunged
into the bank, the light express car
leaped over the tender on to it, and the
tender was rolled over and smashed into
it by the express car. The whole formed
a cage in which were penned Engineer
Henry F. Stickney of West Springfield,
with broken steam pipes Kissing their
scalding 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 suffering, fastened
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 fellow was taken out only to
die in few minutes. Then Stickney
fell, exhausted, and it was found how
serious were his wounds His right
hand and arm were burned down to the
muscles, except little diamondshaped
piece of skin in the Texture of the elbow,
and the finger nails and skin of the
hand came off when the yarn jacket was
removed The lett hand and wrist, the
face, neck and head, except the hair
covered by his cap, and his right SIDE
and back down to the waist 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
burned surface was dangerous, and the
cicatrlces would naturally make the arm
a deformed and useless member should
he recover.
Stickney rallied and wished to save
bis arm if possible. Knowing that his
family physician, DR.. U. H. Flagg, OF
West Springfield, had had experience in
skin grating, he sent for him. The
Doctor decided to begin as soon as pos
sible, and believed he could save the
arm. Some valuable time was lost
while Stickney remained at hlnderhook,
but when he was removed to his home
in West Springfield the grating was
carried on regularly, and replacing the
lost cuticle was the patient and faithful
work of six months. In that time 248
little wedge-shaped pieces of skin were
taken from his thigh, a few each morn
ing, and transferred to his arm and hand,
being held in place by plaster 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 the pro
cess in padded box without euds. The
patient, of course, suffered 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 bis face and
mouth with his arm, he must have
breathed the hot steam and died, as did
Davee.
In ten months new veins and tissues
were formed anf5 new thin skin had
grown over all the wounds. The arm
was much wasted, but as the new skin
grew the atient gained strength Just
year and day from the date of the
accident Stickney was able to take up a
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,
and rotation of the hand and forearm
is nearly perfect, while the fingers
clenCh naturally. The SIX is nearly
normal, and only has to be oiled and
kept warm.
Stickney now feels able to resume
place in the Gao, and will do SO within
week, no5, however, as fireman, but as
engineer. 1t is the policy of the Boston
and Albany Company to promote its
fremen and Stickney's recent experience
as travelling engine inspector, which he
has been for several months past, gives
him special fitness for the post
His case has excited considerable in
terest and he has been asked by promi-
nent surgeons to appear before their
classes as a lecture subject. Stickney
is 81 wears old,