The Democratic advocate., 1892-12-31

abdominal cavity. For brief interval the
futtering renewal Of the action of the heart
was apparent only to the practical medica
eye; but soon the pulsations grew stronger
and, ere long, the patient gave unmistakable
signs of returning consciousness. Then the
eyes were opened in dazed sort of way, as il
the subject was awakening from deep sleep
The action of the hot water having neu-
tralized the effect of the ether that had
been given, the patient was assisted to re-
tain the ground gained by the administra-
tion of hyperdermic injections. With a
new lease of life there was chance fol-
the surgeon to look for the seat of the alb
scess. After several fruitless 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 removed Then the seat of
the trouble was reached, and the foreign
substance which had caused the infamma-
tion Of the appendix was removed. The
abdominal cavity was next thoroughly
cleansed antiseptically, and after the pus
had been washed from the exposed por-
tions of the intestines, they were returned
to their place Before this was done, how
ever, drainage tube of about eight inches
in length was inserted so as to lead to the
lower bowels. The wound was then closed,
and the sufferer left in charge of the sur
geon's assistant and trained nurse.
Remarkable as the operation is, it is still
more marvellous that every day since the
patient has gained in strength, and is to-
day convalescent. Frequent examinations
have been made of the progress of affairs
in the patients abdomen, and as fast as ex-
pedient the drainage tube is withdrawn,
until now only about three inches remain
in service.
Operations for the removal of the ''ver-
inform appendix are, by no means, un-
common, but the surgeons knife is rarely
sanctioned by experienced practitioners in
cases with the physical conditions as ex-
treme as those in the one here cited. Some
idea of the interest manifested in the case
may be gained from the statement that for
several days efforts have been made to OBJ
tain the details without success. From
points here given it is claimed that medical
men now believe it to have been deter
mined that no case of appendicitis need be
necessarily regarded as fatal,
The Baltimore American, of December
%, gives the following
Nothing seems impossible to the modern
surgeon, and it is true saying that "a
skillful surgeon cuts beyond the wound to
make the cure complete. Prof. i McLane
Tiffany few weeks ago performed one of
the most skillful and daring operation ever
known in this country. The patient,
lady of about forty-ive years, bad been
suffering for a long time with structure
Of the throat, which developed to such an
alarming extent that her throat closed. up
50 that it was impossible for her either to
breathe freely or swallow, and. unless some
immediate action was taken, there was great
danger of her starving to death. Prof.
Tiffany had her placed in the Maryland
University Hospital, corner Of Green and
Lombard streets. First il was decided to
perform the operation of tracheotomy,
which consists of cutting through the wind
pipe and inserting silver tube to breathe
through. Then, it was proposed to cut
through the abdominal wall and insert a
tube into the sack of the stomach, so that
food could be forced into it. The opera
ton was performed about the last of No
vember. An opening was made in the
throat, just below the structure, Just large
enough to allow Il tube to pass in. On
this tube sponge, saturated with chloro-
form, was held tightly by an assistant,
and, as the patient breathed through the
tube, she inhaled the chloroform into her
lungs and in very short time lost con-
sciousness. Next, laperotomy was perform
ed, which consisted of making a cut through
the walls Of the abdomen. When this had
been done, grastrotomy was performed,
which consisted of careful search of the
sack of the stomach, which, when found,
one corner was pulled through the cut in
the abdominal wall and sewed to it very
carefully. The influence of the chloro-
form was then dispelled and three days
afterwards an incision was made in the
sack of the stomach, in which silver tube
was placed. The operation took place
three weeks ago, and the patient has now
nearly recovered from it. Since that time
she has taken all food through the tube in
her stomach, and, unless the structure in
her throat be removed, she may never
again swallow her food She now walks
about her room and seems quite cheerful.
Good Roads.