Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-14
CHIsELLTNG A MANS BONE.
A Delicate Operation Performed on
Patient at the New York BOspital.
From the NeaO York World.


From the NelD York World.
An interesting surgical operation was
performed recently in the operating room
of the New York Hospital on West Fiji
tenth street. Prof. Weir, of the College
Of Physicians and Surgeons, took charge
Of the case, assisted by nine medical stu
dents. Before beginning the operation
Prof. Weir stated to the class that the re-
suits of typhoid fever were frequently
felt in the system for many years, and
often for the rest of life.
In the case under treatment the patient
recovered from the disease seventeen
years ago, and when he supposed that he
had been cured began to have trouble
with his right leg. After some annoy
ance which resembed the pains OF acute
rheumatism an abseess formed below the
hip. Not caring to be operated on in the
village where he lived he allowed the alb
scess to break, and for a time felt relief.
Before long, however, a second gathering
OF pus made its appearance, which was
neglected as was the first. In short
time the leg stifiened and SIX assesses APP
peared one after another.
At O'clock last Saturday he was ethe-
rized, and 10 minutes later brought out on
n stretcher into the operating theatre Of
the hospital. Prof. Weir explained that
the patient was troubled with what is
commonly called "a bone sore. The object
Of the operation was TO remove the por-
tiOus OF dead bone. A tight elastic band
age was wound around the bone for the
purpose Of preventing a large loss of
blood. An incisIon s inches long was then
made along the anterior partOf the leg.
After laying open the thigh the leg was
placed upon ''sand bag" and the flesh
forced back from the bone. Clasps .
tached 10 the flesh were held by the as
sistants to allow free access to the bone.
Prof. Weir then took sharp chise and
mallet from his case of instruments and
slowly Clipped OIL segments OF the dis
eased bone. Gradually the doctor worked
down 20 the knee-i1int, where IL was be-
| lieved the dead bone ceased.
On the contrary it was found that a
portion OF the socket, under the patel a
/ or knee-pan, was affected. To get ut this
a very delicate operation was necessary,
and the knee-cap had To be lifted from
among the chords aud tendons that pass
over and around It,. Slowly the muscles
ana ligaments were displaced and tue pa
/ leila lifted out fits position covering the
| knee.ioint. A lateral incision about Jour
/ incnes In length was then made and the
/ application OF the mallet and ehisel re-
| ppated. Tue diseased bone was clipped
away aud the rough and irregular surfa-
ces were smoOthed. The flesh was then
carefully laid over the bone, the chords
and muscles having tirst been replaced.
A small incision was then made in the
| posteriOr portion Of the thigh, and through
| this a rubber tube was forced, commune
eating with the other two missions. The
wounds were thoi oughly washed out by
the application Of an antieeptiC dressing
and the incisions sewed up with silver
wire. The leg was then bound with
| splints and bandages and the sponge and
ether removed from the patients mouth.
The operation required two ana a hall
hours, and was entirely succeBAfhl. The
| pain from the limb has disappeared, and
IN a short time the patient will have the
] full use Of his Lex.