The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-12
SUCCESSFUL rRAcHEoromr.
An EngIishmsn Who Has Used Tube for
SIX Years.

An Ensiishman Who Has Used g Tube for
SIX Years.
Pan Mall Gazette
A case in which the operation of tracheotomy
proved strikingly successful has just come under
our notice. IL is that of man. formerly a
soldier who had the incision into the wlndpipe
made six years ago. and who wears the trache-
otomy tube at the present moment H- was q
private in the Royal Engineers. and took part IN
the Egyptian campaign of 1881, being present at
Tel-el- Ksbir. While in Egypt he drank some
Dad water. and this induced blood poisoning.
which ultimately took the form of deep.
seated assesses in the neck. He returned
some TIME in October, 1882. and at once became
a patient at the Royal Military Hospital.
Southampton. The man describes the operation
as being oniy little painful. The previous diff
fcuity in breathing had been so great that If the
incision into the wlndpiDe had caused much
pain that pain was overwhelmed by the great
relief which followed the operation He re-
manned in the hospital for some months, but
finally left quite cured
He finds but little discomfort or inconven-
fence in wearing the tTacheotomy tube. he
cannot speak without first putting his finger TO
his neck TO close the orifce of the tube. The
reason for this IS obvious. Voice is caused by
the vibratio of the vocal chords in sthe larynx.
and TO set them vibrating current of air from
tho lungs is required. The incision of tracheot-
omy being made in the windpipe below the
larynx. enough air to vibrate the vocal chords
cannot be obtained until the orifce is closed.
The closing is In most tracheotomy tubes
effected By automatic valve. but the
mona of them. He wore the automatic
valve for short time. it Is true, but when he
coming down Regent street one day it few
of and was lost, and he has done very well
without it since. He also talk by putting
his head down, in which the orifice is closed
by his chin instead of by his finger. He pos
sesses duplicate tube for use in of acct
dent.
A brief description of the tube may be found
interesting 1t is made of silver. that being the
metal least likely to be acted upon by any fluids
be found in the windpipe or by the condensed
aqueous vapor of the breath It 10 in reality
more than the name implies-that is, a tube.
It is bent into the form of quadrant, and the
outer portion has a shield. which presses against
the flesh OF the neck To the shield at
tacheG tapes, which pass around the neck and
are tied. These serve to keep the tu be securely
IN position. The instrume Mt is further supplied
with a smaller inner tube ana guide The form
er can easily be removed and replaced for the
purpose of cleaning. which, however. is not
necessary more than once dav. unless the
weather be y rY foggy. But the inner tnbe Is
MT an es entail and the soldier of whom we
write, never wears it. He removes the tube
itself. the tissues around it having become so
hardened that for a short time they answer all
the purposes of the trAehaotomy tube itself. The
person who is compelled to tracheotomy
tuba generally wears high collar, and all that
is ! a small hole.
The statement that soldier suffers in
convenience from the of the tracheotomy
tube needs slight qualification THIS poor fell
low found mis- tube stand very much in the
way of his finding employment; IN fact, he has
only had two years of steady employment since
he was DISCHARGED from the army, which was as
quently failed. He is open to take any situation
as hall porter, messenger. or the like; and il
any of our readers are Ia position to help him.
will gladly forward his name and address.
is scarcely enough to keep himself, wife, and
children,