Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-22
YIELDED THEIR SKINS.

|
One Hundred and Thirty-two knights
Templar Gave Parts of Their Fiexion
Covering to an Afflicted Brother--A
Notable Example of Fraternal Sacrifice.
CHICAGO, Jan. 18.--One of the most
unique surgical operations on record
was performed in this city to-day, and
1872 knights Templar gave to the world
a notable example Of fraternal love and
heroic self-sacrifiee, made in order that
sick brother might be restored to
health. These knights each suffered the
loss of piece of cuticle which was
transferred to Sir Knight John Dicker-
son. The cancer which had attacked
his thigh was removed some time ago,
but so deep and wide an incision had to
be made in the flesh thatnature was un-
equal to the task of healing over the
| gaping wound.
The experiment was tried of grating
| the skin of some of the lower animals,
but it failed. The surgeon in charge
announced to Dickerson's anxious
brethren that if human skin could be
obtained it would, in all probability,
save the patients life and insure his
complete recovery. The question was
where to obtain sufficient skin to
cover IA square inches of surface.
The matter was preached in the com
mandery, and to man the knights of
fered to submit themselves to the neces-
sary operation.
Those selected by the surgeons have
had to go through sort of training,
being dieted, &C., for several days past.
| They were particularly admonished to
refrain from any alcoholic stimulant.
This morning each man took bath and
then repaired to the Emergency Hospi-
tal, where the operation was performed.
Everything was in readiness when
they arrived, and Sir Knight Smith
was led into the operating room to con-
| tribute the first patch to the IA square
| inches required. Sir Plattenburg had
administered quantity of oxide gas to
the patient on the operating table,
enough to make him partly unconscious.
Mr. Smith slipped off his coat and vest,
rolled up the left sleeve of his shirt and
placed himself at the mercy of the wise
men.
Two of them, with brush and sponge,
| scrubbed the tiexor, or under surface of
his arm, until it tingled to redness.
Then they applied alcohol to dissolve
and wash away any microbes or minute
particles. When they had rubbed and
cleansed his arm until he began to think
there was no epidermis left, DR.. Bar
nauer lifted fold Of the flexible skin,
and, with a delicate, dexterous move
ment, sliced off thin, papery strip,
about half-inch wide and two inches
long.
Sir Knight Smith smiled, set his teeth
together firmly and looked somewhat
pale, but did not make sound DIR.
Bernauer held the strip on his razor and
reached it over to DIR. Fenger, who
seized it with pair of tweezcrs and in
moment had applied it to the bare
surface of the patients body and pressed
1t smoothly down. The raw spot on
Mr.. Smiths arm was dressed and band
aged and he went Haway with the part
ing assurance that in 10 days il would
be all healed up without scar to show
where it had been.
The subjects came rapidly and were
handled with readiness by the expert at
PENDANTS. A few were dismissed because |
OF advanced age or some physical dis
qualification, but a very large majority |
of the self-sacrificing Templars barred |
their arms to the bright blade and gave
away part of themselves with COM
mendable unconcern.
Mr.. Dickerson was given no anas-
thetics after the operation began, and
was wide awake most of the time. He
watched the busy surroundings with
degree of interest, returned the saluta-
tions of many friends who entered, and
appeared to be in confident and cCm-
Portable state of mind. He went through
the trial more crrditably than some of
his fraternity brothers, as two of them
tainted during the proceedings, and
many more inquired anxiously for cold
water.
A third delegation of AS knights ar
rived at / O'CLOCK. ,By that time the
work was almostroMpleted, and many
of the late arrivals were not permitted
to yield up their portion of flexion COW
ering. Early in the work several favor
able subjects had each been relieved of :
two or three large pieces, so that those
who came at the last escaped the more
easily,
During the operation, which was
ended at 2 O'Clock, sentinel stood at
the front door of the hospital to exclude
all who could not give the proper Masonic
signs and grips. He said that it was a
private affair, and must not be inter-
rupted by the prying public. 1t is the /
hope and belief of the knights that their
afflicted brother will soon recover and |
take his place among them. Dr. Fenger {
and the other physicians held out much
encouragement.
1t will be 10 days before the success
Or failure OF the experiment will be ,
Known. If successful the place should !
Dc thoroughly healed over in 30 days !
It is thought that the cancer is entirely :
and if the grated skin takes 0
lold and grows, Mr. Dickerson will soon .
'e almost as well as eyer. II