Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-18
The Wonders of Modern Surgery

From the Chicago Tribune.
doctor, is there any help for herr"
'Mr. Pyke, there is
A dark cloud of anxiety lifted itself from the
face of the young husband.
.'Spare no expense, DOCTOR" he said. eff
necessary, call to your aid the highest surgical
skill and the most approved appliances known
to your profession"
Il will" answered the eminent surgeon.
There had been a terrible railway accident
BY one of those well-known condolences that
so often happen none of the high officials of
the road were on the train at the time of the
disaster, and it was several days before they
had learned enough about it to be able to give
any information to the reporters.
But Buenavsta McCorke Pyke, the young
wife of Bolivar PIKE. was among the passengers
on the Inflated train.
When the crash came she was caught between
two pieces of broken timber i'll such way that
she could only be released by the sacrifice of
her nose. 1t was a remarkably handsome nose
of the pure Grecian type, but it had to go.
Over the narrowing details of the amputa-
ton. performed as it was hastily and with S.
cent knife in the hands of a sympathlZing but
buslness-like commercial traveller who hap
pened to be uniniured, it is best to draw a veil.
The unfortunate woman was taken to her
home and a distinguished surgeon summoned
at once, who gave the opinion. as we have seen.
that the damage was not irreparable.
Il cannot replace the former nose. Mr..
Pyke." he explained, but can provide an adj
mirable substitute. Have you any live poultry
about the premises
I'VE have"
Then order a servant at once to kin a pullet,
remove the pointed portion of the breast. tax
ing bone and all. and bring it to me while vet
warm" said the surgeon, briskiy, as he rolled
up his sleeves and prepared for an operation.
the most daring. original and skIllful he had
ever undertaken. With the practiced hand OF
master he rapidly adjusted his instruments
for instant use. prepared the stump of the nose
to receive its extraordinary graft and all was
in readiness when the servant came in with the
required section of breast bone.
at Is too large" muttered the surgeon, as
he looked at it in surprise. at must have been
taken from very heavy pullet. However, L
can cut it down."
He did so. With the hand and eve Of an
artist as well as surgeon he trimmed the car
tllaglpous yet plump and shapely fragment TO
the proportions OF a human nose, adjusted it to
its place with marvellous skill, sewed it firmly
to its base. applied the proper dressing and the
operation was over.
Weeks passed. The new nose of Mrs. Bolivar
Pyke unparalleled success Only the
closest scrutiny could have enabled stranger
to see anything peculiar in its anchorage, its
cOntguration. or its complexion. Happy in
her restored beauty and the tender care of her
devoted husband she went into society as be-
fore and received hearty congratulations from
ALL
The golden autumn grew toward its close.
Wlthered leaves fell from the trees and sharp
| frostS whtened the morning landscape One
| morning Mrs. Pyke came down to breakfast
/ with look OF strange alarm on her face
| BOLIVAR, she said with a trembling voice
| do you see anything unusual about my noseI'
| 1t seems rather rudy, Buenavista. he re-
pied, but have always supposed that to be
| a characteristic OF the female nose In cool
weather. Is ii worse than usual?"
| lit is not mere redness, Bolivar. Look at it
closely"
Bolivar complied.
4 1T seems notified with dark purple spots "
Y he said. after a careful examination won't
| they come off! Have you tried-er-soap,
| BueIavista?"
They are not on the outside" said Mrs
| Pyke, wringing her hands. Il don't know what
! Is the matter, bat have dreadful fear Send
| for the doctor at once, Bolivar"
The surgeon was brought i'll haste He ex-
amlned the nose and a look of mystiiication and
dismay spread over his face.
Il cannot account for it." he said s'Itmipbt
| be that the-ha! An idea occurs to me- Where
Is the servant who assisted me the night when
the operation was performed? Let him be
brought IN"
1t was done.
Jacobs, a word with YOU"
The doctor took him to one side and asked a
few searching questions.
Mrs. Pyke, The said, few minutes later.
lit Is as | suspected. In the hurry of the mo-
ment and i'll the darkness of the night. your
servant made mistake in selecting his fowl.
This mistake, which it is now too late to remedy,
will be attended with unpleasant consequences
only at the beginning of a cold winter These
spots are not on the surface. but show through
the transparent skin. Mr.. Pyke,' - he added, II
congratulate you on having a handy and in
falllble weather indicator in your possession.
Your wife's nose is made from the breast bone
of a goose"