The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-28
woNDERFuL SURGICAL FsAr.
4 Lad, Practically Dead, Brought Back
20 L!;s ard Apparent Health.
Frorl The PailqdelpLia Press.

a Lad Practically Dead, Brought Back
20 L.;e ard Apparent Health.
From the Philadelphia Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.-The medical pro-
fession is much stirred, so far as it is as yet
familiar with the facts in the case, over the
details Of remarkable surgical operation
performed within a few days by DIR. Albert
Skunk OF $50 West Twenty-third street.
The fact accomplished is no less than the
bringing back 70 life person practically
dead, as the term Is usually understood
Jimmy" McCsughey, the l3-year-old
SOD OF New York msrchant, lately de-
ceased. living st 40 West Nineteenth
street, is the patient. The physician was
called to the case late in the evening and
when he reached the house. at l D. 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 de
Iermined by presidents in similar cases
On the advice of the physcisn the members
of thu family were advised Of the gravity
OF the case, and when next morning a lump
was observable over the seat Of the inffiann-
nation the diagnosis was fully justified, and
the trouble was exactly stated TO be an alb
scess around the vermiform 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 sur
geou was finally directed to proceed. When
he arrived it was discovered that the abscess
had broken, thus covering the intestiues
with the liberated matter. In this crisis 1t
was clear to the scientific mind that the boy
was dying. The doctor told the family
that dissolution would take place within an
hour, and that though it was possible that
an operation might result successfully the
chances were many times against it.
Permission TO proceed was given, it being
understood that in event Of failure TO Sc
cure relief the end would not be fastened
more than fifteen minutes. The patient was
quickly placed on table and an opening
about eight inches long was made IN the
wal of the abdomen. From the iucision
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 pres
ence of death. The CLASSY eyes upturne1
the GOODNESS of the extremities, aud the
death perspiration with which the body
was covered, left no doubt In the minds Of
those present that the experiment had re-
suited fatally.
At this point the surgeons resourcetul
skill was displayed; with one hand he tore
open the wound, while with the other he
poured hot water from g pitcher into tie
abdominal cavity. For a brief interval the
1utterlng erewal OF the action OF the heart
was apparent only to the practlced medical
eye, but soon the pulsation grew stronger,
and ere long the patient gave Onmistskable
signs of returning consciousness. Then the
eyes opened in dazed sort of a way as if
the subject was awakening from a deep
sleep.
The action of The hot water having neu-
tralizei the effect Of the ether that had been
given, the patient was assisted to retain the
ground gained by the administration Of
hyperdermic injections. With a new lease
of life, there was chance for the surgeon
to look for the seat of the abscsss. After
several fruitless efforts t. do this, 1t was de-
cided to remove portion of the intestines.
For their better protection they we're
wrapped in a towel warmed bv 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 removed.
Then the seat of the trouble was reached
and the foreign substance which had caused
the inflammation of the appendix was re-
moved.
The abdominal cavity was next thor
oughly olearsed antiseptically. aud after
the pus had been washed from the exposed
portions OF the intestines they were returned
to their place. The wound was then closed
and the sufferer left in charge OF the sur
geon's assistant and a trained nurse.
Remarkable as the operation is, il is still
more marvellous that every day since the
patient has gained in strength and ia to-day
| convalescent.
Some idea Of the interest manifested in
the case may De gained from the statement
that for several days efforts have been made
to obtain the details without success. From
the points here given it il claimed that
medical men now believe it to have been
determined that no case of appendicitis
need be necessarily regarded as fatal.
MEDICAL.