, 1891-07-08
Remarkable Surgery

PHILADELPHIA. July "A remarka BILE
surgical operation was performed yester-
day afternoon at the Howard hospital,
Broad and Catherine streets. Joseph s..
Ball, a veteran of the late var, aud who
has passed his Goth year, visited DR.. Ed
ward Martin, who is surgeon-in-chiei Of
the institution, several days ago for the
treatment OF q malignant cancer at
the base of his tongue. He was in a
pitiable condition when examined BY the
doctor. The cancer had been slowly but
surely eating the flesh away. The tongue
was perforated from the effects OF the dis.
ease. Ball could articulate only with
great difficulty aud could not eat snlId food
OF any kind. The doctor, after consulta-
ton with the rest of the staff. concluded to
perform an operation. as it was the only
way to save the mans life. The patient
was Informed OF the extremely hazardous
AZURE OF the operation. as the deviation
OF a fractional part Of an inch. almost.
would cause instant death. After some
hesitation Ball consented to submit to
the ordeal. Yesterday afternoon at 4
o'clock the patient was laid on top of an
operating table and etherized by DIR.
Wood, DR.. Martins assistant. DIR.
Martin then carefully made two ]lOugitu-
linal missions. in the patients throat,
one on each side Of the maxillary bone,
and then secured with silk thread both
lingual arteries. Tins vas a necessary
process to prevent the patient bleeding to
death. The patient : head was then firmly
fastened and DR.. Martin sawed com
pletely in two the inferior maxillary. or
lower jaw bone. Each half wa separated
gradually, but surely, until the gaping
aperture was big enough to place two
clinched hands within. Even the i'm
passive physicians we're now thoroughly
on nettles over the spectacle presented.
At this moment the patient showed signs
OF heart failure, and the operation was
suspended for a moment while hyper
dermic injections were administered.
DIR. Martin Grasped the patient 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
a number of diseased glands and tissue.
After the bleeding was stopped by the
usual methods, and an antiseptic dressing
applied the two halves OF the jaw we're
brought together and fastened with silver
WIG L uC NuuuuS ON llt neck were lneu
sewed up. alter which the patient was
gradually resuscItated, while the assembled
physicians watched with anxious intent
ness for any signs of a surgical shock, but
to the surprise of all Balls temnerature
and pulse we're about normal. The
patient was removed to a room especi-
ally prepared for his reception and
two nurses and the physicians alternated
on noting the symptoms He is now
doing well, and the physicians express
confidence on his complete recovery. As
the tongue has been entirely removed the
patient will never again be able to utter a
sound or partakc of any solid food.
Liquid nourishment will be administered
by means of n large silver tube. which
will be Inserted in his threat through the
mouth. In taking his meals hereafter
MIR. Ball will be ompelled to threw his
head far back on his shoulders while the
food Is poured down the tube. The oper-
alton lasted two hours and is said to be
the second on record in medical science.
nr-MsHinMill probably p#erafe n pat-e+
10 be read at the next medical CONGRESS,
giving a detailed account of the operation.
Use Jack Frost -four if you wish the
hest