The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1893-12-21
MADE QUEER BARGAINS,
SOLD HIS HEAD FOR THE
SAKE OF SCIENCE.
Mutually Beneficial Agreements between
D physicians and the Victims OF In cura-
BILE Diseases-A Traffic In Abnormal
Heads.

Inc directors at the hospitals keeI
keen lookout for cases which seen
likely to develop something of ex.
traordlnary interest.
A novel plan has been adopted oil
making bargain with a person
suffering with some extraordinary
alfiiction, which binds him to have
delivered to the surgeons at death
either the entire body or such part
OF 1t as may ba specified in the CON
tract. and which is likely to prove
of peculiar value from surgical
standpoint.
These contracts are regularly
drawn up, signed and witnessed, and
would probably hold as we'll in law
as contract for the future delivery
OF a parcel OF real estate, although
no case in which litigation has
arisen for breach of contract on
either side has yet been made public.
There can be no question that the
bargain Is beneficial one to both
parties. The sufferer, if he be in
needy circumstances, is assured a
decent burial The physician, from
wide range OF subjects, is free to
choose such o. promise interesting
and profitable results. Persons
whose bodies have been thus con-
tracted for are known among doc.
tors as ''healthy cadavers," para
doxical and somewhat disrespectful
term, but sufficiently explanatory.
In transactions of this sort every
detail is conducted with perfect deli
cacy. III the patient is suffering
from some incurable disease. from
the effects of which the physicians
have made up their minds that he
must die in given time. the news
Is gently broken TO his friends. O
contract is drawn and signed and
bhe patient pursues the even tenor
Of his way. in blissful ignorance that
MS days are numbered or that
price has been set on his BODY
III he has no relatives or friends,
10 is dolicately approached by the
physician and the facts are revealed
With all possible consideration. He
8 made to understand that death is
ure to come after certain period
nd round sum Is offered. If he be
t all reasonable and open to con-
lotion, he will invariably accept the
loney and sign the contract.
vi course it IS not always certain
nat the patient will die before the
MUSICIAN, and this fact has led to
ONE rather curious consequences.
ne patient at bellevue hospital.
BIO has boon there longer than any
ther, has reaped quite an income
ON repeated sales of his head. 1t
'ems to DO part of the ethics OF
lis peculiar bargaining that, in
lse the patient survives the sur ,
'on, he shall be at liberty to enter !
to another contract.
This Bellevue patients name is ,
Mike" Kelly. He is q small man. :
bout 30 years old. and suffers from ;
X tumors on the right side of the
&C. Mr.. Kelly attracted the atten-
on OF Professor John r. Wood, OF
le hospital, who had made a .
'ecialty OF tumors. and the pro.
ssor was often observed cycling the
lmors. A careful examination
lowed that they were incurable,
I'D that an attempt to remove them
light result fatally.
Finally the professor, whose desire
} possess the tumors increased.
Iade an agreement by which Kelly,
consideration OF certain sum,
as to allow his head after death..t
Q deliveaed over for examination.
II. Wood exhibited Kelly as a cur
'sity in which he had proprietary
lterest, and proudly related to his
slow physicians how he had secured
le tumors all for his own use after
[r. Kelly's demise. Soon afterward
ne doctor died
Mr. Kelly then contracted with an.
Their physician in the hospital for
ne disposal OF his head This
ledge, like the previous one, was
issolved by the death of the physi-
ian, and Mr.. Kelly smiled softly.
t last accounts he had made another
ontract, and except for the tumors,
as in the enjoyment OF perfect
ealth
In the museum Of Bellevue hospital
re a number Of specimens taken
'om "healthy cadavers," which the
ate Professor Wood regarded as val
able in showing the progress made
y modern surgery. One which at.
ractS particular attention Ia 4bo+
epresenting reproduction OF Jaw
one after removal OF the inferior
laxilla- The jawbone can be seen
the skull of the patient, who was
ather q good looking woman accord
lg to her photograph. She had
cen employed in a match factory I
nd had contracted necrosis OF the
one OF the lower jaw from the
INES OF phosphorus, inhaled while
work. She lived for some years
18th the substitute jawbone, ana at
cath, as a token of gratitude to
rofessor Wood, she bequeathed her
cad to him for scientific purposes.
Professor Wood once entered into !
contract with the guardians of d |
matte on Blackwell's island known
1.-The Admiral, who was suffering
ON peculiarly fascinating disease. ,
was stipulated that, for o certain
im,. on the death of 1.-The Admiraln
Is head was to be delivered to the :
hysician, 1.-THE Admiral died and !
r Wood sent a messenger to secure