Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-23
TAKING OUT A MANS KIDNEY.
Joseph Whye Gets Relief at Last at
the Hands OF Bold Surgeons.

Prom the Vclo York Tribune,
EVANSVILLE, IND, Jan. i9.-For the
last ten months Joseph Whye, OF Warrlck
county, has been an inmate Of the Evans
Vile City Hospital. He came TO the hos
pital to be treated for an intense jumping
pain in his left side, the cause of which
was at first unknown. Being carefully
watched BY the attending physicians, and
having been given speclcl course of
treatment for what was considered 10 be
Bright's disease of the Kidneys, without
avail, there was nothing left to do but
wait for further symptoms. These came
after "A time in a small swelling winch ap-
reared in the left side, which, after 1T was
first noticed developed rapidly. The case
was diagnosed then rs aH aDScess OF tAe
kidney, and the accompanying now OF
bloody pus which comes at a certain stage
of this disease, confirmed it. Ire sup,
puratiOn was exceedingly proiuse and
was kept up by the low Of liquid throuGh
the kidney.
This disease is exceedingly dangerous
and the only chance which person
afflicted has is that when the aoscess
bursts it Will not be in the IONS, put IN
such a place as will be readily drained by
the natural outlet. Ia Whyes case, from
the symptoms shown, 1t was cOnslG red
that the abscess was discharging slightly
in the Ions, and that in short time tue
abdominal cavity would be filled with
Virulent pus, which was sure to set up a
peritOnitis winch could only end fatally.
A consultation was held IN the Case at
which all the local physicians were pres
ent. and the conclusion was reached that
the only chance under the circumstances
which the patient had, was TO remove tae
offending kidney.
This rare and difficult operation was
performed at the hospital yesterday alter
noon. 1t attracted all the local medical
talent. Alter the patient had been put
under the influence of an an9sthetlc, an
Incision was made in the abdominal wall
Just below the umbilicus, about six inches
long. Great care was taken not to LAGER
ate the intestines, ana director was used
when cutting through the peritoneum.
After the opening had been made INTO the
abdominal cavity, the intestlnes were
pushed aside and partly raised so as to
enable the surgeon TO get at the diseased
kidney.
The kidney was found to be greatly
swollen and adherent inmany places 70
the surrounding tissue. BY delicate mani
pulation the adhering surfaces were sepa-
rated 80 that the full extent of the kid
ney could be readily felt and examined.
1t was found to be effected in every part
by the disease and changed in color. 1t
was hard and soft in spots, and its ele-
ments were evidently fast changing into
pus, large amount of which was found
in the abdominal cavity. This was at
once removed. Keeping the neighbOring
internal organs out of the way, the
surgeon gradually worked the kidney up
ward until 1t was brought into a favorable
position for cutting. The appendage
which united it to the other organs was
unusually thick, and it required several
cuts with scissors to sever il. The kidney
was then removed from the body, while
the blood spurted from the lacerated arte-
lies into the abdominal cavity.
The bleed ng points were picked up
after much difficulty and the arteries were
hgatured, after the patient had lost a
large amount OF blood from hemOrrhage
The abdominal cavity was then carefully
washed out with an antiseptc solution
and every trace of the irritating pus re-
moved. An examination was made also
Of the other kidney. 1t was found in a
healthy enough condition to do double
duty. The Intestines and other organs
being properly returned to position, the
opening in the abdomen was closed by
silver and catgut sutures and the wound
bandaged with antiseptic dressings. The
patient rallied from the attending shock
and appears to have a chance Of recovery.