St. Paul daily globe., 1888-04-10
A Successful Surgical 0per-
alton Performed Yestep-
day Evening,
But, Although 1t Gave Him
Some Relief, Could Not
Save Him.
Physicians Say His Condition
Is Such He Is Liable to
Die Any Time.
Scenes at the Bedside Of the
Dying Man--All Hope
Given Up.

New YORK, April 9.-The surgeons
in attendance on Roscoe COnkling cut
away portion of the temporal bone and
found secretion of matter, which was
removed. The operation was very
successful one and gives the patient a
chance of life. Mr.. Conkling remains
unconscious. 1t is not expected that
there will be any change in his cOndi-
tion for several hours. Drs. Fordyce
Barker and Sands called at 9:2O and
found the patient resting quietly and
his condition materially improved.
Since the operation his temperature
has fallen to 102 and his pulse
to ninety-two. The patient was under
the influence of ether, and he rolled and
tossed so that it was only with difficulty
that the operation was performed. DIR.
Barker said that while the recovery Of
the patient is not assured he stands a
much better chance than before. The
operation was very successful and no
danger is apprehended for at least
twelve hours. After the operation Mr..
Conkling arose, walked into an adjOinr
ing room and returned. Besides the
physicians, Mrs. COnkling and her mars
ried daughter were with the patientc com
to recognize any one but his wife during
the day, and he will probably remain
unconscious all night because of the
an8sthetic which was administered!
MessrS. Barker and Sands left the sick
chamber at 9:45, and will not return un-
til 9 a. IN. tomorrow. The surgical
operation performed upon the dis
tinguished patient this evening was a
very difficult one. 1t consists in the
cutting out and removal of a part OF
the sumouS portion of the temporal bone,
the inciSiOn being made upon the prom
inence which may be felt just behind
the ear, Beneath this lies the mechan-
ism of the ear, and, in cases in which
this mechanism becomes involved in
serious suppuration, as at this instance,
it becomes necessary to make an OPEN
ing through which the pus may be
drawn off. Otherwise the inflamma-
ton will extend to the tissue of the
brain. Deafness of the ear operated on
results so. The saw or drill, with
which the circular piece of spongy
bone is eXcised, Is like
Jagged edge on the end of
piece of small steel tubing. 1t is fixed
for the first few turns by prong in the
center. The whole instrument is called
a trepane. When the region of the in
ner ear has been reached, the circular
disk of bone carefully extracted and the
membrane beneath the bone cut
through, drainage tube is then to be
inserted, through which the matter form
ing in the abscess can flow freely into
antiseptic absorbent cotton at the outer
end of the tube. This affords the best
chance of confining the Inflammation to
its narrowest limits.
At IL midnight Mr.. Conkling was
walking up and down his room in a half
delirious condition. He sent for Ed
ward S. Stokes, and when he arrived
Mr.. Conkling said to him: 'Ed, it is no
use. / am gone. / have fought against
this for some time; can not stand it
any longer" Mr.. Stokes, in going out,
saw DR.. Sands at the door. He asked
the doctor if Mr.. Conkling had any
chance. DR.. Sands said: ''He may
live forty-eight hours, but | doubt it,"
At 12:15 Mr.. Conkling's condition was
unchanged. He insists on rising and
walking about the room, but does so in
a delirium, as he has not regained cone
sciousness.
1870 a. m.-There was little difference
in the condition of Mr.. Conkling from
his condition at midnight He was
then sitting up and was slightly de-
liriouS.