Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-09-26
suRoERws LATEST TRIUMPH.
A. Remarkable Operation Performed at a
Ho4pltal.

A Remarkable Operation Performed at q
Hospltal.
A remarkable surgical operation was
performed recently at the Howard Hos
pital, Broad aud Catbarine streets
says the Phila Press. Joseph S. Ball,
veteran Of the late civil war, and
who has passed his Goth year. visited
DIR. 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 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 effect
of the disease. Ball could articula,c
only with great difficulty, and could
not eat solid food Of any kind
The doctor after consultation With
the rest OF the staff concluded 20 make
an operation rs IL was the only way 80
save the mans life. The patient 80.
informed OF the extremely hazardous
nature OF the operation, as tho devia-
ton Of the 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, DIR. Martins assist
ant DIR. Martin then carefully made
two longitudinal iDoisions in the pa
tent's throat one on each side OF tho
maxiIlary bone and then secured with
silk thread both lingual arteries. This
was % necessary process to prevent the
patient bleeding TO death.
The patients head was then firmly
fastened and Or. Martin sawed COM
pletoIy in two tho inferior maxillary,
or lower jawbone Each half was
separated gradually but surely until
the gaping aperture WIS big enough
70 place two clenched hands within.
Even the impdsslve 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 q moment while hyperdermic In
iections were administered.
DIR. Martin Rrasped the patients
tongue firmly with his left hand and
drew it through the aperture in the
loft side OF his throat The tongue
was then entirely removed at tho
hyoid bone, together with a number OF
diseased glands and tissue. After tho
bleeding vas stopped by the usual
medicauts and an antiseptic dressing
Rpplied the two halves Of the jaw were
brought together and fastened with
silver wire.
Tho wounds on tho mock were then
sewed up after which the patient was
gradually resuscitated. while the as
sembIed physicians watched with
anxious inJeutness for any signs Of
surgical shock. but 30 the surprise OF
all Balls temperature and pulse were
about normal.
The patient was removed TO a room
specially prepared for his reception,
aud two nurses and the physicians att
ternated on noting the symptoms. Ho
is now doing WELL and the physicians
express confidence on his complete re-
eovery.
As the tongue has been entirely re
moved, the patient viii ncyer again
be able 10 utter a sound or partake OF
any solid food. Liquid nourishmont
will oe administered by means Of
large silver tube which will be- in
serted in his throat through the mouth
In taking his meals hereafter Mr. BALL
will be compelled b. throw his head
far back on Lis shoulders while the
food lis poured down tho tube
The operation lustod two hours and
is said 60 be only second or record in
medical science.