The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-04
A RENARKAgLg OPEkATION.


ynx Successfully Performed on one Man.
New YoRE, Dec. 3.-Both the opera
ton of trachomy and that for the removal
of the larynx have been performed in
this city and on the same man. The man
is now at the New York hospital, where
he has been since the larynx was taken
out-extirpated, as the surgeons would
say--oyer seven months ago, and he is
one OF the liveliest patients m the insti-
tuition.
Ills name is Joseph Liebrich and he
is only nm humble Germanllaborer. He
was living in obscurity in his native
town OF Strasbourg when all Europe,
and, in fact, the civilized world, was
talking about the aiIliction that had be.
fallen his sovereign. He came to Amer
| lea in October, 1887. Early in Decem-
Der, 1887, he began TO experience a ditli-
Guilty in breathing and swallowing which
gradually increased in intensity until il
became almost unbearable. He was sent
TO the Wards Island immigrant hospital,
where, on February 10, 1883, trlChmoto-
my was successfully performed by DR..
Allen j. Thomas.
After this operation his difficulty in
breathing disappeared, the stnrGhal
tube gave no Inconvenience and lie had
n good appetite; hedid not lose strength.
But the cancGrons growth, entirely I'LL
ing the larynx, had been observed by
DR.. Thomas at the time OF inserting the
trnchal tube, and he advised Liebrich
TO enter the New York Hospital, under
the care OF DR.. W. Bull, in order that
the larynx might be removed. Liebrich
finally consented to this, and on April
20, 1888, two and one'halt months
from the time trachpotomy was perform.
cd, the complete extirpation OF the
larynx was accomplished. At this time
there were no enlarged cerviCal glands.
The larynx felt larger and fuller than
normal, but its outlet was not disturbed,
though its whole interior was filled with
a growth, apparently starting from the
right side. Epiglottis WAS not involved,
nor the wall olthe pharynx. The encs.
thetic used was chloroform, aided
by two hyperdermic injections oil NOR.
phine. Then vertical incision was made
In the middle line OF the neck,
crossed opposite the level OF the hyroid
bone by transverse cut through the
skin only. The prominent hyroid carte
lage, or adams Apple" was first split
in two in order to ascertain the extent
Of the growth. Alter opening the in
terror OF the larynx, the trechea about
the tube was stuffed tightly with small
sponges attached TO strings. This de-
vice, together with keeping the head
lightly depended, eventually excluded
all blood from the trcchea or wind-pipe. |
Tho two halves Of the larynx were
vedseparately, the separation being
made first from the lower end. There
was trilliug bleeding, it being necessary |
to cut only two or thrGe'arteriei.
For fOrty.eight hours after the opera
ton no food passed Liebrich's lips. ne
was conscious, but didnO appear to sui.
fer much. The mouth, pharynX nnd
wound were tightly plugged with gauze
saturated with iodOfOrn. Thirst was re-
lieved by wetting the lips and tongue,
aud nourishmGnt was injected into the
lower bowel, while the patient breathed
easily through the trmchel tube, which
passed through the pPcktng of gauze into
the tr;rchea.
On the third day the packing was re-
mDVeu Iluu u hlllHlltT ulluuut luhtIlCuI
and ut the same time flexible rubber
tube was left in the Gseppagus, its end
projecting beside the traecheal tube.
Through this nourishment-beei broth,
milk and even lager beer and whisky
was Introduced into the stomach. A
week later the rubber tube was with
drawn und atterward inserted for few
moments only three or four times each
day at the time Of dressing the wound.
The treatment was continued for
about four weeks, the patient gradually
learning to introduce the tube himself.
All the time the wound in the neck was
gradually growing smaller and the guam
tity OF galzo required to fill it was daily
decreased. The traechal tube was worn
constantly and will always have to be
worn now. The fifth week Liebrich was
allowed to swallowsome breadand milk,
but the muscles OF the throat were un-
able topreYent portion from entering
the trDcha, and fit OF coughing en-
sued. Further efforts were deferred for
day or two, but since then Liebrich
has been able to swallow with ease. He
is also able to speak, but SO fNr only in
hoarse whisper. He is robust and
happy. Seven months have elapsed
since the operation aud there are no
signs Of any return OF the disease, At
least year must elapse before one can
be sure that it will not reappear.