Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-06
A SINGULAR CASE.
4 Little Bean Ends the Life of Promis-
ing Young Man.

ing Young Nan.
P1rTsBURG, August st was only
bean, but it found a vulnerable spot.
William Elder McCutcheon, better
known as Elder McCutcheon by his
friends in Oakmont and the adjoining
borough of Verona, was enjoying ex-
cellent health on Sunday, July 26. That
evening, however, he complained OF
feeling unwell, and several days later,
his condition falling to improve, the
family physician, DR.. Campbell, was
called in.
The usual remedies for obstruction OF
the bowels were prescribed, but failed
to afford relief, and the condition OF the
patient became more serious. Inc
course of treatment was changed to
meet the various phases of the ailment,
but the seat of trouble could not be To-
Gated, and, although fatal termination
was not expected, all the resources OF
medical skill were employed to relieve
the sufferer. At last 1t became evident
that the intestines were paralyzed, and
at o'clock on Monday morning the
patient was in state OF collapse, linger-
! in that condition until 7:10 in the even
ing, when the end came.
On account of the peculiar features
of the case, and in the interest OF hu-
manity. the parents OF the young map
! the operation was performed by DR..
Campbell, assisted by Drs. Clark and
| Calhoun, of Verona. The post mortem
examination brought to light the cause
of all the suffering and sorrow-a bean
which had not been thoroughly cooked,
and which had escaped mastication.
After entering the large intestine 1t had
passed into the small orifice, and thence
into the vermiform appendix-a portion
OF the human system for which anato-
mists have failed TO find useful pur-
pose. The bean could go no farther,
and there it produced Inflammation,
and finally gangrene. The surface OF
the place where the bean lodged had
soughed away and when it was touch
ed the death-dealing obstruction fell
out, and the mystery was solved. No
medicine known to man could have
prevented the death Of young Nc
Cutcheon.
The case, while not of really extra
ordinary nature, is of interest to medical
practitioners and warning to all. A
grape seed ended the life OF one OF Dr.
Campbell's friends, and there are
numerous instances Of death being
caused by the accidental swallowing OF
seeds of melons, oranges and other
fruits. There are, however, but few
cases recorded where bean has been
the instrumental of death. After the
examination it was learned that the un-
fortunate young man had partaken OF
beans at dinner on the day that he be
became sick.
The experience of younger brother
Of the deceased is so dissimilar that 1t
affords curious illustration OF the un-
certainties of life. Joe McCutcheon,
Jr., who is now about IL years old,
was playing with pistol several years
ago, and it was accidentally discharged.
The bullet struck the little fellow in the
abdomen and passed upward, piercing
the lungs and coming out back OF the
right shoulder. Prompt medical at
tention and careful nursing pulled the
boy through, and he is to-day as sound
and hearty as one could wish TO be. A
bean ended the life OF one Of the
brothers, bullet tore it's way through
the body of the other, and yet he is
alive and well.