Telegram-herald., 1890-08-09
RESHAPING KNOCK-KNEES.
Heroic Surgical Measures Used To Cur
Child's Deformity.

Child's Deformity.
There was a notable surgical opera
tion performed upon child in Avon
dale recently, says the Cincinnati En-
quirer.
The operation is one OF rare occur
renee in this country. although it has
been performed successfully number
OF times in Europe.
From birth little Gertrude Jackson
has been afflicted with what is known
as "knock-knees," the affliction b-txg
such as to render walking impossible, or
even standing without the assistance of
some one TO prop her up. In fact, the
little girls legs were bent outwardly 10
such an extent that they described
a somicircular curve. The parents had
entirely given up the idea that their
bright little daughter would ever be
ablo to walk without the aid of arti-
fetal means. The little girls case a few
days ago came to the notice of Or. Linn,
professor of orthopedic surgery in tho
Pulte Medical College. An examination
of the child's limbs was made, and il was
decided that tho only possible means of
relief was that known as double oste-
omy operation. The operation comes
under tho head Of orthopedic surgery,
and was performed as follows:
An esmark bandage was placed around
the leg and ankle, extending from the
foot TO the upper third of the thigh.
This process rendered the leg upon
which the operation was to be performed
perfectly bloodless An incision was
then made with sharp knife at point
on the inner side OF the leg, one-half an
inch above the adductor magnus.
The knife was sunk clean through
TO the bone, and a chisel subse-
quently slipped along the side Of
tho knife until tho bone was
reached. when the knife was skilfully
withdrawn, allowing tho steel chisel to
remain in the flesh. After the knife had
been withdrawn tho chisel was given a
deft twist at exactly right angles with
the bone. The sharp point of the instru-
ment was then placed upon the tender
bono, and several sharp blows quickly
struck in rapid succession with mallet
The bone was completely severed. A
sponge was then bound over the limb
after the ends of the bones were placed
in contact, and the limb allowed to rest
until similar operation had been per-
formed upou the other limb.
The bandage around the limb first op-
Grated upon was then removed from tho
wound made by the incision of the knife
and the limb we'll busted with iodoform.
Iodoform gauge was then applied to the
leg and flannel bandage tightly bound
about the limb from the foot to the up
per third Of the thigh. The limb was
now ready for the final part of the opcr-
alton.
It was straightened into its proper po-
sition and held that way until heavy
coating of plaster of paris had been
placed over it. The other LEG was sim
ilarly treated, and the remarkable op-
Grafton successfully performed. The
patient all tho while was under tho in
fuence of ether, and after tho operation
awoke entirely unaware of what had
taken place.
Tho external wound in IN operation
of this kind usually heals in about six
weeks. When tho ends of tho bones
arc perfectly united, the plaster OF
paris coating can be removed. and in a
short time tho child be able TO use her
limbs with as much freedom az any one
of her ago. Tho entire operation lasted
about an hour, and was rendered all tho
moro difficult on account OF the tender
age OF the child. IT is tho first case OF
the kind recorded in Cincinnati, and in
many respects is considercred a great
triumph for the medical profession OF
this city. It is considered a heroic op-
Grafton for tho relief Of child seem
ingly afflicted and rendered compare
lively helpless for life. The parents o;
tho child are ovcrjoyed a. the hope OF
seeing their little one able % walk.