Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-12-08
FED THROUGH A TUBE.
aBwiSr@bie Condition of a Youni
German in ST Louis


German in ST Louis
The medical profession of St. Louil
IA T&s& aow intensely interested anG
zss6 q lftie excited over the presence
Liza &heir midst of one of the surgical
zzEn-Eels of the age-a youth with 8
1Isasmza an his stomach. The subject is
=G&zernaaa bey named Charles Schau,
IssEsars of age He has for the past
sazRa Eaonths lived with friends in
zS&Sezga- About six weeks ago certain
RmSs0Hs of this city learned of his
<mR@&erful ease. and at once steps
~@sEe t&ken to induce him to come to
$Sa& Louis for the benefit of the pro-
GEszzxaaa here
Tke operation which has so miracu-
EsnsRxi saved Schau from certain death
&lE starvation is one which has been
nmany times attempted during the pres
-&sEG century, but has rarely succeeded
=@xSm his ease. death usually resulting
4aA FEN days or weeks The disease
Smfkksh rendered this operation
zasaGsssarY is known as stenosis of the
zExaEsiiagus or structure of the food
gx@a@zgo of the lower throat This is
smzG ma uncommon disorder, and. as no
GzEE@ 8kHown for ii. it in almost every
ExaG1nce results in death by starvation.
&c Is usually of caneerous nature
.sxrzs1 of slow growth. In the case in
sHGszE-tlie youth Schau-however. the
zsaR@hagus became choked in a single
zHEsshE. and until more light can bo
szEts& ;;pop the matter the actual
xEa1ESe of his case must remain in
.sesxiL- Experiment and experience
-s46zs@s that the only method of pro-
longing life in such case is by the
establishment of gastric fistula, or
,S=zzssrnn opening into the stomach.
I31rzsugh which the necessary food
$zzRpAF can be introduced into that
-@r@2R- This, as will be readily per-
asaEiSed. is a very delicate operation.
A@ opening is made through the abdo-
zzasn into the interior of the stomach,
szf wkiek a small circular portion is re-
xass@e6 of the size required for the
Raxgose of the operation A plug of
exnC5Oiizsd gauzs. or other suitable
1amzasrial. ID introduced into the open
arE. and the wound is al lowed to heal,
EsseEing the small op ening into the
=sGs0aaeh. As soon as the state of the
~zR&aad will permit. silver tube fit
1wG the opening is introduced into
a1ss stomach, and through this the food
rs passed.
LA the case in point however. no
.sz1Fer tube can be discerned The pa
rlssaE feeds himself through a red rub
za1ar tabe about three-eighths OF an
zEHc& in diameter. and eighteen inches
Lag. which appears to pass directly
ErsE0 the stomach. 1t is held in place
EGE slseaHs of two or three strips Of
Stacking plaster. the ends of which
zzEakere closely to the skin or either
side ti,e tube. thus preventing it from
slipping. When not in use the outer
zszd of the tube is plugged, with roll
Of cotton and coiled up in the patients
8Ssonl. When he wishes to feed him
lEeaf tie plug is removed and the taper
Exa OF small tin funnel IS introduced.
Into this the food. in liquid or semi
1agGid state, is poured and finds its
Way naturally into the stomach. As
E&e food 80 introduced is necessarily
rGerg light and Of kind readily digest
1sie Schau is obliged to feed himself
7z1sout every two hours.
AS the food can readily be Withdrawn
from tue stomach at any stage in the
pgeeess of digestion, for the purpose
al examination and analysis, the value
ST such a case as Schau's to the stu
.1fsnts of physiology is inestimable, as
&c aill enable the student to reach con-
caasions and establish facts of the ut
Raest Importance with certainty that
-ssGld be achieved in no other way.
It is understood that Drs. Richter
aud Lutz have made arrangements to
keep Sehau here during the winter for
iEEe purpose of experimenting on all
sGbiects connected with the stom ach
=nad digestion. and for the particular
Aeaefit of the students of Bea umont
College. st. Louis Republic.