Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-19
TRUE FRATERNITY SHOWN.
Chicago Knights Templar Give Up Their
Skin to Heal n Brother.

L
Chicago Knights Templar Give Up Their
Skin to Heal Brother.
One Of the most unique surgical operations
on record was performed in Chicago yesterday
and 1872 Knights Templar gave to the world q
notable example of fraternal love and heroic
self-sacrifce, 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
Dickerson. 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 that nature was unequal to the task of
healing over the gaping wound. The expert
ment was tried of ENGRAVING the skin of some
of the lower animals. but il failed. The surgeon
in charge announced to Dickerson's anxious
brethren that if human skin could be obtained
II would in all probability save the patients
life and insure his complete recovery. The
question was where to obtain sufficient skin to
WIS broaehed in the commandery and to a
man the Knights offered to submit themselves
to the necessary operation.
TRAINING FOR THE 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 a
bath and repaired to the Emergency Hospital
where the operetion was performed. Every
thing was in readiness when they arrived, and
Sir Knight Smith was led into the operating
room to contribute the first patch TO the la
square inches required. Sir Plattenburg had
administered quantity of oxide gas to the
patient on the operating table-enough to make
HIM partly unconscious.
THE OPERATION.
Mr. Smith elipDa1 oe he ,ook o,,J xo,4
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 hexOr or under surface of his arm until it
tinged to redness. Then they applied alcohol
10 dissolve and wash away any microbes or mi
mute PARTICLES. When they had rubbed and
cleansed his arm until he began to think there
was no epidermus left. DR.. Bernauer lifted
fold OF the flexible skin and with delicate. dex-
ferrous movement sliced off thin, papery
strip about a half inch wide and two inches
long. Sir Knight Smith set his teeth together
firmly and looked somewhat pale, but did not
make sound. DR.. Bernauer held the strip
on his razor and reached over to DR.. Fenger,
who siezed Il with pair of tweezers, and in a
moment had applied it to the bare surface of
the patients body and pressed it smoothly
down The raw spot on Mr.. Smiths arm was
dressed and bandaged, and he went away with
the parting assurance that in ten days it would
be all healed up without scar to show where
1t had been.
THE PATIENT SPECTATOR.
The subjects came rapidly and were handled
with readiness by the expert attendants.
few were dismissed because of advanced age
or some physical disqualification. but a very
large majority of the self-sac riticing Templars
barred their arm to the bright blade and gave
away part of themselves with commendable
unconcern. Mr.. Dickerson was given no an
aesthetics after the operation began and was
wide awake most of the time. He watched the
busy surroundings with degree of interest,
returned the saiutation5 of many friends who
entered and appeared to be in confident and
comfortable state of mind. He went through
the trial more creditably than some of mis-
fraternity brothers. as two of them tainted
during the proceedings and many more in
quired anxiously for cold water
A third delegation of forty-fve knights ar
rived at o'clock. By that time the work was
almost completed and many of the late arrivals
were not permitted 70 yield mp their portion of
fexion covering Early in the work several
favorable subjects had each been relieved OF
two or three large pieces, 10 that those who
came at the last escaped the more easily.
During the operation, which was ended at 2
O'Clock. a 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 1t was private affair. and must not be
interrupted by the prying public.
THE DOCTORS HOPEFUL.
1t is the hope and belief of the knights that
their afflicted brother will soon recover and
take his Ilace among them. DIR. Fenger and
the other physicians held out much encourage
ment. 1t will be ten days before the success
or failure of the experiment will be known.
II successful the place should be thoroughly
healed over in thirty days. 1t is thought that
the cancer Is entirely removed. and if the
grated skin takes hold and grows Mr. Dicker-
son will soon be almost as well as ever.