Wichita eagle., 1888-09-18
ETHER'S INFLUENCE.
An Old Soldiers Thrilling Experience Un-
der the SURGEONS Knife.

An Old Soldiers Thrilling Experience Un-
der the Surgeons Knife.
A gentleman recently operated on at
private hospital for the removal of the left
eye, the socket and membrane Of which had
become the seat of cancer, tells the fol
lowing interesting story of his experience
under the knife to New York correspond
ent:
1.-THE doctors agreed that had cancer,
and nothing but On extensive surgical oper-
alton could save my life. l felt, on hearing
their decision, like condemned murderer
as though at certain day and hour should
look for the last time on earth and encounter
the terrible
"' But it will not be painful said the sur
geon, with pleasant smile. you will be
under ether, you know
"The operation was to be done three days
after the consultation that sealed my fate.
How lived through those three days can
not tell 1 wondered if would have the
courage to face the ordeal coolly. l had
never before thought myself a coward l
passed through twelve battles during the
late war and never shrank from danger
But oh! q surgical operation, with all its
calm and detailed preparation-all its awful
chanceS-is quite another thing. To get on
table, lie down and take ether, with the
knowledge that you are about to have the
most delicate organ of your body carved out
that, indeed, calls for courage. Like the
man about to be hanged, felt anxious to
have it over - and was greatly afraid
should lose all my grit at the last moment
and make show of myself. Still, there
was one comfort-I should feel no PAIN
and my nerves felt much strengthened by
the reflection, when l compared the surgical
operation OF the present day with that Of
fifty years ago, when it would have taken
six strong men to hold me while my eye
was being literally gouged out and l was
writhing in agony, conscious of it all.
''At last the day of the operation arrived.
/ lay down on the operating table, and the
surgeon placed the ether cone over my
mouth and nostrils. l took a long, deep in
spiration Of the ether. 1t was cold and
tasted good, tingling slightly as it entered
my lungs, and causing peculiarly delight
full thrill to pass over me. After taking
few more breaths began to feel in half
visionary state. thought was in a ball
room filled with the gayest company and
was tripping the fantastic to some dreamy
waltz with the faircst of the fair. Then l
could not resist singing. Noticing the doc
to the situation.
"sDoctor,' said, this is delightful -
splenddp Just then something seemed to
crack inside my head. could see sparks
of fire flying all about me. Every object in
the room was in whirl The doctor and
his attendants seemed TO be engaged in a
mad dance around me, such SIS the canni-
hals indulge in around their roasting mis-
sienary. Then had most horrible dreams.
fanced that the doctor was murderer, and
that he had made his way into ny room in
the night by means of an open window. /
saw the awful knife CLEAN in his hands and
could feel ,the oold blade as it descended
into my stomach. Then thought / was
taken to dissecting room and there carved
up in the interest OF science. Finally !
awoke, and the surgeon, bending over me,
cautioned me to remain motionless, and at
the same time assured me that the operation
had been successful
The surgeon said: "The operation was
for cancer Of the eye-baR snd socket, and
necessarily very delicate undertaking.
The patient took ether remarkably well.
As soon as he was unconscious the orbit
was removed. The diseased plates OF bone
were then carefully sawed away and the
operation orlpleted. 1t does not seem IL
telling Of it how tedious IL was For three
hours we worked constantly on the patient
Much bleeding took place, and the work was
several times retarded by the need Of CIV
ing more ether, as the patient evidently felt
pain occasionally As TO the dreams which
he enjoyed while under ether, thcy are not
unusual. II is remarkable fact that ply
sical memory continues while the brain
sleeps or is under an anasthctic- The op
Grafton was unattended with q single IN
favorable result, and tie patient awaits
only the time when the wounds.shau be per-
fectly healed 70 have glass eye put into
the socket
I.T- Myies, prominent salt merchant at
New Orleans, is authority FOR the state
ment " that prohibition i. not making any
progress in Louisiana The Southerners
are free traders when Il comes to whisky,
and the Sunday law is not well enforced.
While the salooukeepers are willing to
concede point or two 70 decency and lock
up the front door, there is not the leas. DIFF
tcuIty N getting rear admission Another
ginger bread horse is woman suffrage We
cont want Il dawn our way. Got 10 use
tor il"
1ne Powers That Ee.
Mrs. Gorhau Wsre-Heury, 1 wish you
would please not smoke around the house
any more
Nj GoEham Wa-e-Why, nv love. yousye
o,tea SAID you rather fancied good csgari
MS. Gorhan Ware-I know IL, dear. but