Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-02-11
REMARKABLE OPERATIONS BY AN
uNTUToRED WOMAN.

Nenetia, April a, 1919 Her parents were |
Lorenzo Marchesini and Mariana Sando- |
nella, both Of whom belonged to the peasantry
Of Venetia. Following the vocation of her
mother, Regina, from early childhood, dis
played taste for setting dislocated bones.
At first practicing her art on chickens and
animals, Regina's first operation, strange to
say, was upon her mother One day, as she
was going to a neighboring village, the
wagon upset and her leg was broken. Regina,
who was now years old, following her
mothers directions, set the limb Her mother
was carried home and confined to the house
ipr forty days, during which her daughter
became her nurse.
THE DOCTORS ENRAGED.
A year later Regina went to live with her
brother at Vittoria, where she began to see
operations in the hospital and acquired her
celebrated delicacy Of touch. At the age Of
Is she married Lorenzo dial Gin, poor peas
ant, and was shortly left widow with one
son. who became a priest Among her early
operations was one upon poor fellow in the
village Of Alpago, who was confined to his
bed by fractured legs. The doctors had or
dered amputation when Regina, appearing
at the time, declared she could save both legs,
and in short time the man was able to talk
Doctors, enraged at being thus outrivaled,
had her arrested and taken before the tribune
for practicing without a license. Her advo-
cate was the patient whom she had just
cured. Regina was pardoned, but ordered to
practice no more. Yet patients came to her
dov bv dax, doolarinr, thax, would coo No ,,,a
else. The theory Of her skill was the 'reduc-
ton of the femur." poultice of marsh
mallow and bran was applied and continued
for a longer or shorter time accordingly as
the dislocation was new or old. When the
bone had attained certain softness the ma
nipulation began and the dismembered parts
placed Alright, the force being used at
the proper time, and unconsciously TO the pa
tient, all being done without chloroform and
without causing pain. 1t must be remarked,
however, that she possessed an almost super
human strength in her fingers, equal to that
Of two men,
Another wonderful cure was in the case of
Dr. Bellim. an invalid from hip dislocation
of twenty years standing. Dr. Bellim was
one Of the physicians whose prejudice,
| twenty-five years before, she had sought to
overcome. From lSl3 to 1865 she continued
to practice her profession, in which her only
desire was to excel From patients Of ample
means she always expected liberal compensa-
ton, but the poor she charged nothing
| Again summoned before the tribunal at Wit
toria for practicing without license, she
was condemned to two months imprison-
ment. The case was carried TO the higher
court at Venice, where, defending herself
with great skill, she said: Gentlemen, you
know very well how to name the bones.
do not; but can set them, and you cannot Z"
She was acquitted amid great rejoicing. A
lady Of Venice whose daughter was suffering
from luxation Of the femur sent for Regina,
and the young lady in a short time was able
20 lay aside her crutches.
RECOGNIZED AT LAST.
The physicians Of Venice, after an inter
view. now each presented her with certifi-
cate Honors still awaited her. Mr. Cane
nida. rich banker of Trieste, whose daugh-
ter had suffered from infancy with the same
disease, and who had consulted all the best
physicians OF the great capital without find
ing any benefit, finally sent for Regina, who
operated on the daughter, and in a short time
she was cured. Operations began to multi
ply. Wonderful cures were effected. Regina
was rendered an ovation. Surrounded on the
streets and everywhere hailed with enthusi-
asIn, she would smile and bid them "thank
God, for it is TO him l hold this gift" The
municipality invited her to operate in the
city hospital before a number Of physicians,
and she secured their warm approval, and
| they rewarded her with a certificate.
The mayor now gave her a grand dinner,
at which were present the elite Of the city
and many physicians. They applauded her
everywhere as if she were Garibaldi or some
other hberator Of the country.
The day Of her departure deputation Of
patients, headed by Mr. Valerie, who had
been cured of luxation Of twenty years
standing, presented her with magnificent
album, containing over 1900 signatures, in
Guiding those Of eighty physicians, beauti-
fully dedicated in lines Of gold. The munich
pality Of Trieste presented her with 100 Ma
poleons in gold, one-hah Of which she dis
tributed to the poor. The profession offered
her 800 forms year and villa to remain.
1t was fete day at vittoria when the
Italian government sent Regina a diploma
allowing her to practice. Music sounded on
the streets, national airs were sung. A
young man whom she had cured of luxatior
Of the femur wrote two poems, which were
rendered at the theatre during the Afternoon
and evening.
Mr.. Isaac R Robinson, Of Montague ter
race, Brooklyn, who was rendered lame from
a sickness during infancy, while travelling
abroad, sought her at her home and was bene
flied TO the extent of being able 10 walk with
out the use of high shoe. The cases cite
are all cures, yet in some instances reluxa
ton took place after treatment, as to whiel
she said, Il only begin to cure; you must d
the rest, y meaning the continuance Of band
ages, etc. Incurable patients sought he
door. Discerning their condition, a singh
touch telling her the condition Of the bone
she dismissed them with sweet smile, oftel
handing them coin.
Though now 20 years old, day by da,
she is visited by Italians, Austrians, French
Prussians, Russians, Poles, Greeks and Turks
She shows no distinction to patients Brook
Ign Eagle.
Rebman Library Association.
The Rebman Library Association vii
give Its third annual reception in the In
stitute Hall on February q, Wednesda