Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-12-29
BROUGHT BACK FROM DEATH
Wonderful Results of a Sur
giCal Operation.
RESTORED TO LIFE AND HEAL TIL
After the Heart Had Ceased
Its Beatings.
The Remarkable Operation Performed
by "a New York Surgeon--The Patient
Restored to Life After lie HAD Appar-
emily Died--Prospects of Complete Re-
coYery.


NEW YORK, Dec. 22.-1he medical
profession is much stirred, SO far as it is
as yet familiar with the facts in the
case, over the details of remarkable
sergical operation performed within a
few days by DIR, Albert skunk, Of $50
West Twonty-third street. The fact
accomplished is no less than the bring.
ing back to life u person practically
dead as the term is usually understood.
Jimmy McCaughey, tho -ycar-old
son Of New York merchant, lately de.
ceased, living at 440 West Nineteenth
street, is tile patient. The physician
was called to the case late in thee
ing and when he reached the house, at
II p. M, the patient had very marked
symptoms Of appendicitis or, as it is
popularity called, inflammation Of the
blind intestine. The diagnosis made
plain the fact that the sufferer was
doomed, as far as could be determined
by presidents in similar cases. On the
advice of the physician the members Of
the family were advised OF the gravity
Of the case, and when next morning a
lump was observable over the seat of
the inflammation the diagnosis was fully
justified and the trouble was exactly
stated to be anabscess around the verni-
form appendix. An operation was at
once recommended, but was delayed
until the arrival of relatives who had
been summoned in anticipation Of death
resulting.
1t was the next afternoon when the
surgeon was finally directed to proceed.
When he arrived it was discovered that
that the ahscess had broken, thus cover
ing the intestines with the liberated
matter In this crisis it was clear to the
scientific mind that the boy was dying.
The doctor told the family that dis
solution would take place within an
hour, and that though 1t was possible
that an operation might result success
fully the chances were many times
against 1t.
Permission to proceed was given. it
being understood that in event Of failure
to secure relief the end would not be
FASTENED more than 10 minutes. The
patient was quickly placed on table
and an opening about eight inches long
was made in the walls Of the abdomen.
From the ineision there was at once
plenteous flow of pus.
No sooner had this taken place than
the pulse ceased to beat, the heart
stopped, the jaw dropped and every
evidence of the most complete collapse
betokened the presence Of death. The
CLASSY eyes upturncd, the GOODNESS of
the extremities, and the death perspira-
ton, with which the body was covered,
left no doubt in the minds of those
present that the experimenting resulted
fatally.
At this point the surgeons resource
full skill was displayed; with one hand
he tore open the wound, while with the
other he poured hot water from a
pitcher into the abdominal cavity. For
brief interval the tluttering renewal Of
the action of the heart was apparent
only to the practiced medical eye, but
soon the pulsation grew stronger, and
ere long the patient gave unmistakable
signs of returning consciousness. Then
the eyes opened in dazed sort of way
as If the subject was awakening from a
deep sleep.
The action Of the hot water having
neutralized the effect of the ether that
had been given, the patient was assisted
| to retain the ground gained by the adj
lIililebAlll'h VI Aly llJAGllilN lllJgGtlDbSs
| With new lease of life, there was a
chance for the surgeon to look for the
seat Of the abscess. After several fruit
less efforts to do this, it was decided to
remove portion of the intestines For
their better protection they were
wrapped in towel warmed by dipping
it in hot water, and placed on the table
by the patients side.
Thus with room to work, the walls of
the cavity were explored, the abscess
sack being found and successfully re-
moved. Then the seat Of the trouble
was reached and the foreign substance
which had caused the inflammation Of
the appendix was removed.
The abdominal cavity was next
thoroughly cleaned antiseptically, and
after the pus had been washed from the
exposed portions Of the intcstincs, they
were returned to their place. The wound
was then closed and the sufferer left in
charge of the surgeons assistant and Il
trained nurse.
Remarkable as the operation is, 1t is
| still more marvellous that every day
since the patient has gained in strength
ard is to-day cOnyalGscent.
some idea of the interest manifested
in the case may be gained from the
statement that for several days efforts
have been made TO obtain the details
without success. From the points here
given it is claimed tnat medical men
now believe ii TO have been determined
that no case Of appendicitis need be
necessarily regarded us fatal.
--1s.------
Mr. YIN. II. Moore, 5O1 $, Charles ST., Balti-
| more, Md, a commission merchant, RECON-
| meuds Salvation ul for rneHmatiSm and chill
| blalua. He writes: my wife AMI son have
used -alaytIon uiI for rhe lmrtisln and chill
| bl4lus with marked eficGsy.'
| Help the Girls.