The morning call., 1893-11-27
DOCTORS DISAGREE.
discussion of Question That Is
Interesting to Them.

St. Louis OlODe-DemOcrat.
peculiar discussion resulting from ques-
tfon being asked by DR.. S. P. Pollak occupied
the st. Louis Medical Society last night. The
question in effect was: ~ have perfectly
healthy patient, who has a peculiar hole in the
bone Of bis head that fills out when the patient
blows his nose. i don't know what he matter
that fills IL and swells It out is. Would be
Justified, in satisfying my curiosity, 10 plunge
the needle of a hypodermic syringe into this
opening and draw off some OF the liquid 10 de-
termine what it is?''
Several of the members answered the Ques-
tion, Certainly. without doubt" Others per-
sisted that curiosity and scientific inquiry alone
did not justify the smallest and least dangerous
operation possible on patient whose health
DID not demand 10.
Several meetings ago DIR. Pollak exhibited to
the medical society patient who had come
under his treatment for an eye disease. The
patient had peculiar indentallon or depres-
sion IN the back OF his skull. The depression
the patient could fill out flush by blowing his
nose, holding his nose, holding his breath or
leaning forward. The doctors were deeply In
terested. What is the substance or material
that fills this swelling? was asked. DR.. Bremen
said. ITS blood" DR.. Fairbr0ther said, "Ips
brain matter" Another said, 'Irs serum"
No satisfactory conclusion was reached. Yes
lerday DR.. POllak asked the society whether he
would be justified in drawing OF some OF this
matter and testing 1t, TO ascertain It's compost
ton.
at can't hurt.' said DR.. W. B. Prewtr. "lf
You use steriliZed needle"
what Is the object OF the Investigations"
asked DR.. Frank Glasgow.
"Simply curiosity" answered DIR. Pollak.
us the patient affected or incommOded In
any way by this peculiar deformity?" asked
DR.. A. ID. Williams.
Not in the least" answered DR.. Pollak. mo
one could notice the deformity. / myself did
not see 1t until the patient attracted my atten.
ton 10 it,
''Then, say" said Dr. Williams, "you have
not the least right In the world 10 asplrate that
mans head simply to satisfy curiosity. You
have no right to subject him 10 any risk
Il don't see why not" lnterp0sed DR.. Pinck-
ney French. There is not particle of d n.
ger. All you have to do is TO use sterilized
needle. L wouldn't hesitate moment. You
can puncture the intestlues, the peritoneal
ana me plenrai cavities with steriiized nee
die attached to bypodermic syringe, without
danger, and L don't see why il shouldn't be
done here in the interests OF science"
"But suppose the patient had erysipelas as
result" suggested DIR. Williams.
HE won't have il, though" answered Dr.
French, "if he's done right"
~ agree with French and Prewett," said DIR.
w. Johnston. II don't believe. though, in u.s.
lpg sterilized needle. III by sterizng you
mean cleanliness, l agree. There's no harm in
drawing off little of the fluid"
=, Inc Sc mas excited a great deal OF discus
sion on the two occasions on which it was be-
tore the society. There were TWO doubtful
points In II: az What caused the opening in
IN mead? Was II congenital. as the patient
Claimed? was 1t of traumatic origln-the re-
suit of an injury? Was it due to forceps de-
livery? Die IL result from absorption OF the
bone by tumor? Was II due 10 a prenatal
injury to the mother? (2) what matter swelIed
cut the head over The depression when the pa.
tlent coughed? Was blood. brain matter, or
serum? Was it collapsed meningecee?
Each doctor had his own idea aud combina-
ton OF ideas, and scarcely two agreed Dr.
Poliak was undecided when he left the meeting
whether or not 10 asprate, but he will probably
90 so before TIE next society meeting.