Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-11-28
A WONDERFUL SURGICAL ZEAL.
An Operation which Transformed An I'm
beetle Into = Rational Being.

Gan YOU MINK OF an operation lHdt
would create mind? Can you con-
ceive of the meaning to humanity OF a
discovery that would transform a con-
genital imbecile into rational beingp
Such au operation was the one | was
privileged TO see.
The patient was a child about one
year old or good pareutage aud of
healthy bodily growth aside from the
fact that its skull was that OF new
born child and it had hardened and
solidiiied into that shape and size. The
soft spot was not there. and the
sutures or seams Of the skull had
grown fast aud solid. so that the brain
within was cramped and compressed
by its unyieding bouy covering.
The body could grow-did grow
but the poor little compressed brain,
the director Of the intelligent and vol
untary actions Of the body was kept
at its first estate. Even worse than
this. its struggle with its bouy cage
made a pressure which caused distor-
ton and aimless or uumeaning move-
ment The arm and leg turned in. in
that helpless pathetic way that tells Of
imbecility In short the baby was
pathetic object on this sad earth. Up
on examination, the surgeon, a gentle,
sweet-uatured man, whose enthusiasm
for his professionalism the relief of
suiIeriug-makes him the object Of de-
yotion Of many to whom he has given
life and health, and the inspirer and
final appeal for many "a brother praC-
titioBer, discovered what he believed
to be the trouble. Led by that most
uncommon Of all things common.
sense. be believed that this little vic
tim of natures mistake might be
changed from IA condition far worse
than death To one OF comfort for itself.
and to those who now looked upon it
only in anguish of soul.
After explaining 10 the parents and
the surgeons who had come 10 witness
the wonderful experiment (for after
all, Mt this stage it was but IN expert
ment based upon common-sense) that
it might fail; after a modest and SIM
pie statement Of his reason Tor under
taking so dangerous an operation. with
no precedent before him; after ex-
planning that the parents fully under
stood that not TO try it meant hopeless
idiocy and that the trial might mean
death he began the work. / will try
to tell what it was in language that is
not scientific aud may seem to those ac-
customed to surgical terms inadequate
and uulearned; but TO those who are
not technical medical students | believe
the less technical language will be far
clearer.
j The child's skull was laid bare in
front Two tracks were cut from "A
little above the base Cor top) of the
nose up aud over to the back OF the
head. One OF these tracks was cut on
each side, the surgeon explained, be-
cause it would give equal expansion to
tho two sides OF the brain and be-
cause II would cause death to cut
through the middle OF the top Of the
head, where lies "the superior longi-
tudinal sinus He left therefore, the
solid track of bone through the mid
die, and cut two grooves or tracks of
bone. one on either side where nature
(wheu she does not make mistake)
leaves soft or yielding edges, by means
of which the normal skull expands to
fit the needs of the brain within.
The trench made displaced or cut
away one-quarter OF an inch of solid
bone all the way from near the base OF
the nose to the back OF the head. la
the middle of the top OF the head on
each side crosswise cut was made,
aud cue inch Of bone divided. An
other cat was made on either side.
Ilautin- toward the ears. This was
one and half inches long The sur
geon then tenderly inserted his fore
fingers, pressed the internal mass loose
from the bones where Ii adhered,
aud pushed the bones wider apart.
This process wideued the trenches TO
one inch.
The wound was now dressed with
the wonderful elective new aseptics,
aud the flesh aud skin closed over.
The operation had taken an hour and
a half There was little bleeding. The
baby was of course, unconscious dur
ing the entire time. On, the blessing
of anasthcticsl And now comes the
wonderful result of this bold and radi-
al but tender aud humane operation,
The baby rallied we'll In three
days it showed improved intelligence.
In eight days This Improvement was
marked. From creature that sat
lislicss deformed, and uumindful OF
all about b. ID began 90 take notice,
like other children From an lit 1t
had been transformed into q che 1t
had been given personality, Itatc and
slept fairly we'll.
On the tentn day the wound was rN-
posed and dressed 10 had healed ON
OMITTED 10y first intention MS the doe
fnT- -Yt. 4nI .r..vfu Rut. tr9u luF tx