The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-06-24
Our @lio.
Electric Lights Swallowed.
From the New York Herald June s.


By the latest application of electricity to
the medical science, it has become possible
to utilize the human head as lantern.
This was proved by DIR. Wendell c. Phil
lips on Wednesday night before meeting
of the laryngological section Of the Acade-
my of Medicine.
The electrical apparatus used is called
''head illuminator" 1t consists of a small
incandeseent globe and an electric light OF
three-candle power and about as big as
grape. 1t is adjusted to the end of rub
Der tube, which n appearance resembles a
lead pencil, and through which the wires
reach the globe.
In demonstrating the properties Of this
light before the Academy of Medicine,
DR.. Phillips called small boy to the plat
form, and placed the instrument in his
meuth The boy closed his lips, all the
lights were turned out, and then the light
in the instrument was turned on.
Immediately the boys cheeks became
translucent, and every vein and imperfec-
ton of the skin stood out with distinct
ness The light also shone through the
upper part of the face.
'The beauty Of this illuminator,' said
DIR. Phillips, "lies in the fact that it en-
ables us to read certain conditions of the
head which could only be learned hereto
fore by operations or probings. If the
light shines through one side of the face
and not the other, we know the dark side
is affected.
at also throws light through the bones
of the face, and discloses formations of the
bone which, under other circumstances,
could only be ascertained by drilling into
the bones.
"placed in the corner of the eye, the
light shines up through the cavity in the
frontal bone, just over the eyebrow. Ca
tarrhal diseases are thus located"
Here the Doctor placed small section
of rubber hose over the light, which he
held in his hand at the time.
"Now notice how this shines through my
thumb ?" he continued. "Well, if there
was a splinter there it could be accurately
located. Any disarrangement of the small
bones of the hand could be ascertained in
the same manner.
'This practical use of electricity in sur
gerry is not new, however," added the doc
tor. "The first man to utilize it was Vol
tolini. In regard to these newer instru-
ments which | have about me have just
added improvements.
"Here is searchlight, said DR.. Phil
lips, taking up curved piece of nickel
made to tit over the head apd come down
between the brows. Between the brows
was lens, which stood out like the glass
in bull's-eye lantern. 1t was connected
by wires with a storage battery, A switch
was turned and a bright light shone out
from the apparatus like star on the fore
head of ballet dancer.
''This light, said thephysician, ''shines
into and down the throat of patient who
is being examined for throat troubles.
This latter examination cap also be per-
formed by the insertion of a small electric
light the size of a pea,
"There is another instrument consisting
of flexible tube with a small lamp at the
end, and connected with battery. The
patient swallows this lamp, and when it
reaches the stomach it shines through SO
diseased organism can be plainly read from
the outside The circulation is visible, and
an abnormal development stands out like a
mole on a persons cheek.
"All these implements and devices" !"
added DIR. Phillips in conclusion, "are the
results of study made by prominent ply
sicians and surgeons. ! have not invented
these things, have only developed them.
We haven't reached the highest develop
ment of the use of electricity in the medi-
cal science yet We are working now on
new lines"
A man furnished by nature with a speak
ing apparatus, after his larynx has been
entirely cut out and his windpipe grown
together aboye the aperture ip his throat,
through which he breathes, was exhibited
at the same meeting of the Laryngological
Association at which DIR. Phillips showed
his electrical appliances.
DIR. Soils Cohen, of Philadelphia, Pa,
exhibited the man, and the doctors at the
meeting pronounced the case wonderful.
The man sang for them and talked so that
they could distinctly hear his voice thirty
feet away.
| Dr. Soils Cohen, when asked for an ac-
count of the case, said
Il found the man in the Philadelphia
Hospital over a year ago suffering from
cancer of the larynx. The disease had
advanced to such stage that it was neces-
sary to adopt heroic measures, and de-
termined to cut the larynx out. opened
his windpipe, and inserted tube, 50 that
he could breathe. Then l sewed it up
tightly between the aperture and the
larynx, and performed the operation. OF
course, never anticipated this curious re-
suit. One day, about siz months ago,
when was talking to him in the hospital,
| noticed he was attempting to talk, and
was succeeding in making some sounds. |
encouraged him to continue his efforts
The result is as have told you.