Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-08-22
REsAAPrNe KNocx-kNses.
Heroic Surgical Measures Used to Cure
Chlld's DeCornity.

ton performed upon q child in Avon
dalo recently, says tho Cincinnati En-
Qulrcr.
Tho operation Is ono Of raro occur
romeo in this country, although 1t has
been performed successfully number
of times in Europe.
From birth littlo Gertrude Jackson
has been afflicted with what is known
as ''knock-knees," tho af1liction being
such as to render walking impossible, or
even standing without tho assistance Of
somo one to prop her up. In fact, tho
little girls legs were bent outwardly to
such an extent that they described
q scmicircular curve. Tho parents had
entirely given up tho idea that their
bright little daughter would over DO
able to walk without tho aid of arti-
fetal means. Tho littlo girls case few
days ago came to tho notice of DR.. Linn,
professor Of orthopedic surgery in the
Pluto Medical College. An examination
Of tho child's limbs was made, and it was
decided that tho only possible means Of
relief was that known as double oste-
omy operation. Tho operation comes
under the head Of orthopcdic surgery,
An esmark bandage was placed around
tho leg and ankle, extending from the
foot to tho upper third of the thigh.
This process rendered tho leg upon
which the operation was to be performed
perfectly bloodless An incision was
then mado with sharp knife at o point
on the inner side of tho leg, one-half an
inch above the adductor magnus.
Tho knife was sunk clean through
to tho bono, and a chiscl subse-
quently slipped along tho side of
tho knife until tho bono was
reached, when tho knife was sliilfully
withdrawn, allowing the steel chiscl to
remain in tho flesh. After tho knife had
boon withdrawn the chisel was given q
dcft twist at exactly right angles with
tho bone. The sharp point of the instru-
mcnt was thon placed upon tho tender
bone, and several sharp blows quickly
struck in rapid succession with a mallet.
Tho bono was completely severed. A
sponge was then bound over tho limb
after tho ends Of tho bones wcro placed
In contact, and tho limb allowed to rest
until q similar operation had bee'p per-
formed upou the other limb.
The bandage around tho limb first OPP
Grated upon was then removed from tho
wound nndo by tho incision of tho knife
and tho limb we'll busted with iodoform.
lodoform gauge was then applied to tho
leg and flannel bandage tightly bound
about tho limb from tho foot to tho up-
per third OF the thigh. Tho limb was
now ready for the final part Of the opor-
alton.
1t was Strengthened into its proper po-
sition and held that way until a heavy
coating of plaster Of paris had boon
placed over it. The other leg was SIM
ilarly treated, and the remarkable op-
Grafton successfully performed. Tho
patient all the while was under tho in
hucnco OF cthor, and after the operation
awoke entirely unaware of wha. had
taken place.
Tho external wound In an operation
of this kind usually heals in about six
weeks. When tho ends Of tho bones
arc perfectly united, tho plaster Of
paris coating can bo removed, and in
short timo tho child bo able to use her
limbs with as much freedom as any ono
OF her ago. The cntiro operation lasted
about an hour, and was rendered I'LL tho
moro difficult on account Of tho tender
agc of tho child. 1t is tho first case OF
tho Kind recorded in Cincinnati, and in
many respects is considcrcred great
triumph for tho medical profession Of
this city. 1t Is considered heroic op-
Grafton for tho relief OF child seem
ingly afflicted and rendered compare
lively helpless for life. Tho parents of
tho child arc ovorjoyod at the hope Of
seeing their littlo ono. ablo. to walk.
THE shortest day OF tho year 10 not of