New-York tribune., 1891-04-30
FAILING TO FIND THE CORK.
A FUTILE OPERATION ON DIR. boutwell,.
EXHAUSTION STOPS A SECOND ATrEMrT-Ex

EXHAUSTION STOPS SECOND ATTEMrT-EX-
SECTION OF THE RIBS TO BE TRIED.
Another unsuccessful attempt was made yesterday
TO remove from the bronchus Of the Rev. Dr. George
W. Boutwell,, OF the Congregational Church OF the
Covenant, in Brooklyn, the cork which he accidentally
inhaled eleven days ago while holding it between his
teeth. The operation Of tracheotomy was performed
several days ago. and attempt made TO get al
the cork through the opening made in the windpipe
but 1t was found impossible TO do so.
Yesterday afternoon Dr. Boutwell, was in good con-
dltion for another trial lie had slept well, his tenn
pcrcture good and his mind cheerful. At about
30 p. m. Dr. J. D. Rushmore began the operation.
lie assisted by DR.. W. IL. Bates, DR.. S. Fleet
spelr, DR.. Ormston, Dr. Hutchlns, Dr. Sherwood, ana
DR.. BIggam, the family physician of the afflicted
clergyman. The patient taken from his room In
the Brooklyn Hospital to the operating and ether
was administered. DIR. Rushmore had prepared
new instrument in the hope Of extracting the cork
through the opening already made In the trachea, in
stead of resoring to the dangerous operation of
opening the lung cavity. This was long, flexible
instrument furnished with an exceedingly sharp,
spiral llEc corkscrew.
rubber tube was first placed In the wfndSspe to
protect the membranes. Then the instrument was
introduced into the left brOnChus, where the cork
lodged, in the hope that the spiral might reach
the obstruction, and by twisting movement be made
to take hold Of It, This was tried FOR time, but
without success. once it thought that tho cork
had been touched and drawn up slightly but 1t broke
away. One OF the physicians, according to Mr. Dnd-
lev the superintendent Of the hospital thought that
small fragment OF the cork was extracted but TINS
could not be proved. An attempt was made to in
troduce cystoscope tube with small electric Ight
to aid in finding the foreign body, but the light was
useless because Of the secrcons Of the bronchial tube
and nothing could be seen.
When all available means Of reaching the obstruc-
ton from the tracheal opening had been exhausted
consultation held and as DR.. Boutwell, had re-
quested that everything be done, it was decided TO
attempt the dangerous operation Of exsection OF the
ribs. As nearly could be discovered the cork was
found be in the left bronchus just above the second
bifurcatlOn. DR.. Rushmore made an opening across
the chest the left Jung and had got down to tho
ribs when Dr. BOhwell's condition became such that
the physicians were unanimous In the opinion that
they would not be justified in proceeding further with
their work.
The patient had been under the operation for over
an hour ard was becoming exhausted. II was feared
that he might die on the operatng-table and even il
the cork should be removed before that took place they
felt as one physician present said, that the name Of
having performed successfully almost miraculous
operation would not compensate for the death of the
patient. They preferred to wait until he rallied sui
Gdenty to allow the attempt to be made again. DE-
Boutwell, remained unconscious for over an hour after
ward and then out from the influence OF the
ether and improved considerably. His condition, which
at first regarded critical, was then moro
hopeful and superintendent Dudley last evening ne
ported that he much better than was an
| ticpated and that he not in immediate danger.
IhCrn is however. no hope of his recovery, unless
the cork can be removed before Inflammation sets in
blood poisoning pneumonia must follow. IL tao
patient continues to rally the operation may be con
! tinued and the exsecu0n Of the ribs made. After
opening the pleural cavity the lungs can be dis
placed as to allow the bronchus to be reachad and
il possible that the cork NAV bo removed by an In
cislOn into the tube where il Is lodged