Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-01-13
Extraordinary Surgery.

surgical operation performed within
a few days by DR.. Albert Skunk, OF
$50 West Twenty-third street. The
fact accomplished is no less than the
bringing back to life person prac-
tically dead, as the term is usually
understood. Among the many won
derful cases recorded in recent years
probably not one has been marked
by features as unique as that OF which
James McCaughrey is today the liv-
ing example. The patient, twelve
years old, is the son of New York
merchant, lately deceased, living at
No. 440 West Nineteenth street. The
physician was called to the case late
in the evening, and when he reached
the house at II p. M, the patient had
very marked symptoms OF append
citis," or, as it is popularity called, In
Examination OF the blind intestine.
The diagnosis made plain the fact
that the sufferer was doomed as far as
could be determined by precedents
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 g.
lump was observable over the seat of
the Inflammation the diagnosis was
fully justified and the trouble was ex-
actly stated 10 be an abscess around
the vermiform appendix. An opera
ton was at once recommended, but
was delayed until the arrival OF rela-
tives who had been summoned in an
ticipation OF death resulting.
1t was 3 o'clock the next afternoon
when the surgeon was finally called
and directed to proceed. When he
arrived it was discovered that the alb
scess had broken. thus covering the
intestines with the liberated matter.
In this crisis it was clear to the scien-
tific mind that the boy was dying.
The doctor told the family that disso-
luton would take place within an
hour, and that though it was possible
that an operation might result sue
cessfully, the chances were many
times against it. Permission to pro-
coed was given, it being understood
that in event OF failure to secure re-
lief the end would not be FASTENED
more than fifteen minutes.
The patient was quickly placed on a
table, and while under the influence
OF a slight anesthetic, an opening
Of about eight inches long was made
in the walls OF the abdomen. From
the incision there was at once plent-
eous 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
upturned, the GOODNESS of the extremi-
ties and the death perspiration with
which the body was covered left no
doubt in the minds of those present
that the experiment had resulted ia
tally.
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 flut.
tering renewal of the action OF the
heart was apparent only to the prac,
ticed medical eye, but soon the pulsa'
tons grew stronger, and ere long the
patient gave unmistakable signs OF
returning consciousness. Then the
eyes were opened in dazed sort Of a
way, as il the subject was awakened
from deep sleep. The action Of the
hot water having neautralized the eff
feet of the ether that had been given
the patient was assisted to retain the
ground gained by the adm inistration
OF hyperdermic injections. With a
new lease of life, there was a chance
for the surgeon to look for the seat OF
the abscess. After several fruitless
efforts to do this, it was decided to re-
move portion of the intestines. For
their better protection they were
wrapped in a towel, warmed by dip.
ping it into 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 sub
stance which had caused the infla-
nation of the appendix was removed.
The abdominal cavity was next thor
oughly cleansed antiseptically, and
after the pus had been washed from
the exposed portions of the intestines
they were returned to their place.
Before this was done, b owever, a
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 surgeons assistant and
a 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 with
drawn, until now only about three
inches remain in service.
Operations for the removal of the
"vermiform appendix are by no
means uncommon, but the surgeons
knife is rarely sanctioned by expe-
rienced practitioners in cases with