The Delta independent., 1888-12-04
FEp THROUGH A TUBE.
Deplorable Condition of Young
German in ST. Louis

Deplorable Condition of a Young
German in st. Louis.
The medical profession of ST. Louis
, is just now intensely interested aud
not little excited over the presence
in their midst of one of the surgical
marvels of the age-a youth with
fistula in his stomach. The subject is
German boy named Charles Schau,
10 years of age. He has for the past
two months lived with friends in
Chicago. About six weeks ago certain
surgeons of this city learned of his
wonderful case, and at once steps
were taken to induce him to come to
st. Louis for the benefit of the pro-
fessi on here.
The operation which has SO miracu-
lously saved Schau from certain death
by starvation is one which has been
many times attempted during the pres
ent century, but has rarely succeeded
MS in his case, death usually resulting
in few days or weeks. The disease
which rendered this operation
necessary is known as stenoss of the
oesophagus or structure of the food
passage of the lower throat This is
not an uncommon disorder, and. as no
cure is known for it, it in almost every
instance results in death by starvation.
1t is usually of cancerous nature
and of slow growth. In the case in
point-the youth Schau-however the
esophagus became choked in a single
night and until more light can be
shed upon the matter the actual
| nature of his case must remain in
doubt. Experiment and experience
shows that the only method Of pro-
longing life in such case is by the
establishment of q gastric fistula, or
external opening into the stomach.
through which the necessary food
supply can be introduced into that
organ. This. as will be readily per.
ceived. is very delicate operation.
An opening is made through the abdo-
men into the interior of the stomach, i,
of which small circular portion is re-
moved of the size required for the
purpose of the operation. A plug of
carbolized gauze, or other suitable
material. is introduced into the OPEN
ing. and the wound is al lowed to heal.
leaving the small opening into the
| stomach. As soon as the state OF the
wound will permit, silver tube fit
ting the opening is introduced into
the stomach, and through this the food
is passed.
In the case in point however. no
silver tube can be discerned. The pa
tient feeds himself through . rod rub
ber tube about three-eighths OF an
inch in diameter. and eighteen inches
long. which appears to pass directly
into the stomach. 1t is held In place
by means of two or three strips OF
sticking plaster. the ends Of which
adhere closely to the skin on either
side the tube. thus preventing Il from
slipping. When not in use the outer
end of the tube is plugged with roll
of cotton and coiled up in the patients
bosom. When he wishes to feed him
self tho plug is removed and the taper
end of small tin funnel Is introduce d.
Into this the food. in liquid or semi
liquid state. is poured and finds its
way naturally into the stomach. As
the food SO introduced is necessarily
very light and of kind readily digest
ible, Schau is obliged to feed himself
about every two hours.
As the food can readily be withdrawn
from tho stomach at any stage in the
process Of digestion, for tho purpose
Of examination and analysis, the v-<ue
of such case as Schau's to the stu.
dents of physiology is inestimable. as
it will enable the student to reach con-
| clusions aud establish facts OF the ut
most Importance with certainty that
could be achieved in no other way.
| 1t is understood that Drs. Richter
and Lutz have made arrangements to
keep Schau here during the winto: for
the purpose of experimenting on all
subjects connected with the stomach
and digestion, and for the particular
benefit Of the students of Beaumont
| College Louis Republic