Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-19
SURGERY'S LATEST TRIUMPH.
A Roma rkabie Operation Performed at a
Hospital.

Remarkable Operation Performed at a
Hospital.
A remarkable surgical operation was
performed recently at the Howard Hos
pital, Broad and Catharine streets,
says the Phila. Press. Joseph S. Ball,
a veter of the late civil war, and
who has passed his Goth year, visited
DR.. Edward Martin. who is surgeon-in-
chief OF the institution, several days
ago for malignant cancer at the base
of his tongue. He was in q pitiable
condition when examined by the doc
tor. The cancer had been slowly but
surely eating the flesh away The
tongue was perforated from the effects
of the disease Ball could articulate
only with great difficulty, and could
not eat solid food of any kind.
The doctor after consultation with
the rest of the staff, concluded to make
an operation as it was the only way to
save the mans life. The patient was
informed of the extremely hazardous
nature Of the operation, as the devia-
ton OF ths fractional part of an inch
almost would cause instant death.
After some hesitation Ball consented
TO submit to the ordeal
Several days later the patient was
laid on the operating table and ether
lied by DR.. Wood, DR.. Martins assist
ant DR.. Martin then carefully made
two longitudinal incisions in the pa
tient throat one on each side of the
maxillary bone. and then secured with
silk thread both lingual arteries. This
was a necessary process to prevent the
patient bleeding to death.
The patients head was then firmly
fastened and DR.. Martin sawed COM
pletelY in two the inferior maxillary,
or lower jawbone. Each half was
separated gradually, but surely until
the gaping aperture was big enough
to place two clenched hands within.
Even the impressive physicians were
now thoroughly on nettles over the
spectacle presented. At this moment
the patient showed signs OF heart fail
ure, and the operation was suspended
for moment while hyperdermic in
jections were administered.
DR.. Martin grasped the patients
tongue firmly with his left hand and
drew it through the aperture in the
left side of his throat. The tongue
was then entirely removed at the
hyoid bone, together with number of
diseased glands and tissue. After the
bleeding was stopped by the usual
medicants and an antiseptic dressing
applied the two halves of the jaw were
brought together and fastened with
silver wire.
The wounds on the neck were then
sewed up, after which the patient was
gradually resuscitated. while the as
sembled physicians watched with
anxious intentness for any signs of
surgical shock but 20 the surprise of
all Balls temperature and pulse were
about normal.
The patient was removed to room
specially prepared for his reception
and two nurses and the physicians al
ternated on noting the symptoms. He
is now doing WELL and the physicians
express confidence on his complete re-
covery.
AS the tongue has been entirely re-
moVet, bne pdtlenL Will never again
be able 10 utter a sound or partake of
any solid food. Liquid nourishment
will be administered by means of
. large silver tube which will be in
serteI in his throat through the mouth.
In taking his meals hereafter Mr. Ball
will BE compelled to throw his head
far back on his shoulders while the
food is DOurpd down the tube
The operation lasted two hours, and
is said to be only second on record in
medical science.