The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-04

Nrw NoRK, Dec 3,lloth the operation
OF trachootomy and that for the removal ~
the lnryuX have been performed IN this city
and ON the same man. The man is now az
the New York Hospital, where he has been
since his larynT was taken out-cxtirpated,
as the surgeons would say-ovcr seven
months ago, and he is one Of the livoliest
patients in the institution. His name Is
Joseph Lelbrcch, aud he is only an humble
German laborcr. lie was living In obscurity
in his native town Of StrasbuY when all
Europe. aud, In fact, tho civilized world,
was talking about the ailliction that had be-
fallen his sovereign. lie came 10 America
In October, 1887 Early In December, 1887,
he began 20 experience difficulty In
breathing and swallowing which gradually
increased In intensity until IL became al
most unbesrablc. lie was sent 10 the Wards
Island Immigrant Hospital, where ON Feb
runry 10, iSsS, trachcotomy was successfully
performed 10y Dr. Allen j. Thomas. After
this operation the difficulty In breathing dis.
appeared. The trachcal tube gave no incon-
ycni.ncc and lac had good appetite and he
did not lose strength. hut the generous
growth entirely filling the larynI had been
sorting the trachcal tube, and he advised
lcibrrirh 20 enter the New York Hospital,
under the care u Dr. W. T. Bull, In order
that the larynX might bc removed. leibrcich
finally consented tn this, and on Apul .,
1858, two aud Onc.hall months from the time
tmchCOtUmy vas performed the complete
cNtirpntion OF the larynN was accomplished.
AZ this time there were 40 enlarged Cvryicm
glands the larynN felt larger and fuller than
~ N.H.H a. "A. .HH HWN.
thouih It's whole interior was filled with q
rInVth apparently starting from the right
side. TIE iglp tswas not involved, nor the
wall vi the pIaryuI The anacsthetics used
was chlorulurm aided by two hypudcrmic
injections ul morphine. Then y vertical in
cision WIS made ~ the middle line ui the
neck, crossed opposite thc level VI the hyuid
bone hy transverse cut through the skin
ouly. The prominent thy roid cartilage or
Adams apple" was first split in two In
order 10 ascertain the extent 90 the
growth After opening tl1c larynN the ira
chac about the tube VIA stuffed tightly With
small spuugrs attached to strings. This
| device. together with keeping ihs head
| lightly depended, oilcotually excluded all
| blood ON the tmchae or Wind pipe Tho
two halves Of tho larynk were removed sep
amtely, the separation being made hr from
The lover end. There wns a thrilling bleed
ing Il being necessary IA tic ouly two or
ihrru arteries.
Fof forty.eirht hours after the operation
no food passed Lcibrcichu lips. lie was
conscious, bat did not appear Ia su,lUr
much. The mouth, pharynN aud wound
wcrr LIGHTLY plugged with gauSc, saturated
with !, DIT irm.
IhinI Vas relieved by wctting the lips
aud tongue, aud nourishmcnt was injected
into the lower bowels white the patient
breathcd through the trschcal tube which
passed through uo packing Of gauEc Into
the trschoa
on the Third day the packing was re-
moved aud a smaller amount inserted, aud
nt the same time flexible rubber tube was
let u the ws0phagua It's ouJ projecting
beside the trnCkcnl tube. Through this
nuurshmcnt-be broth. milk, aud even
lager beer aud vhisky-Woro introduced into
the stomach. A week later the rubber tube
was Withdrawn aud aitcrWard inserted Tor
n few moments only three or four times
each day 10 the time II dressing tie wound.
The treatment was continued for about
four weeks, thc patient gradually learning
a. Introduce the tube himself All the time
the wound Ia the meek was gradually grow
Ing smaller aud the quantity VI riuEc re-
quircI to hll 10 was dniiy les aud les. The
tuChral tube was worn constantly aud viii
have in be- worn. The nth week Lcibrvich
WIS allowed 10 swallow some bread aud
milk, bat the muscles ~ the throat we're UNI
able t0 prevent a portion from entering tho
tmrhra 1nd r. nc 81 coughing cuHund. Fur
th,f efforts were directed fur q day or two,
but since then Lo.brich has been able 10
swallow with rhsc. lie u also ablo 10 speak,
bat ~ ilf only he hoafsc whisper. He "
robust nud happy. Seven months have
elapsed since the operation and there arr no
signs Of any return OF the disease. Al least
q year must capsc before one can be sure
that 10 will not ruappsar.