The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-08
DOCTORS DTSiGREE.
Discussion or - Question That Is Iuterest.
Ing Both to Them aud TO Their Patients.

Irop ne ~ Lius Gfo~ N,norru.
A peculiar discussion resulting from cues
ton being asked by Or. s. I. pollak occupied
| the St Louis Medical Society last night, The
pae s'S Who has nsSS hos ~
the bone OF his. head that nils out when the
patient blows his nose. | don't know what
Would be justified. in satisfying my u curl RI;
osity. to plunge. the needle Of a hypoderm,c
OF the liquid to determine what 1t TSP"
Several Of the members answered the cues
persisted that curiosity and sciehtinc inquiry
alone did not justify the smallest and lenst
several meetings ago Dr. Foilak exhibited
to the Medical Society, a patient who had come
patient had n peculiar indentation or depres-
sion in the bnck Of his skull This depression
nose. holding his nose, holding his breath. or
leaning forward. The doctors we're deeply in:
tsr.sdtcd What r. the substance or material
That nils this swelling. was asked DR.. Bremer
said. It's blood" DR.. Fairbrother said. Its
bra brain matter" Another said. ITS serum"
terday Dr. Polnk asked the society whether he
would be justified in drawing off some OF this
matter and testing it. to ascertain its compost
vow 1T cant hurt" said Pr, W. B. Prewitt, If
What is the object OF tho investigation ?"
Simply cuTiosity;s answered DR.. Pollok,
DR.. a. ID. Williams.
Not in the least" answered Dr. Pollak.
No one could notice the deformity myself
did not see It until the patient attracted my
attention to it"
'.Thsn. shy" said DR.. Williams. you have
not the least right in the world to asprate that
m ans head simply to satisfy curiosity. You
have no right to subject him to any risk
don't see why not interposed DR. Pinck-
ney French. There is not a particle OF dan.
ger. All you have to do is to use a sterilized
needle wouldn't hesitate moment. You
can puncture the intestines. the / eritoneal
and the nleural cavities with steriiz"d nee
die. attached to a hypodermic syringe. without
danger. and ! don't see why it shouldn't be
done here in the interests of science"
But suppose the patient had erysipelas as O
result" suggested pr. Williams.
;, He wont have it. though" answered DR..
French. III IFS done right"
W. Johnston, :. don't believe. though. in US
ing steriized needle. If by sterilizing you
mean clea nliness. agroe. There's no harm in
drawing off q little OF the fluid"
:, Tho case has excited great deal of discus
sion on the two occasions on which 1t was be-
fore the society. There were two doubtful
points ir it; On What caused the opening in
claimedt Was it OF traumatic origin-the re-
suit of an injury? Was it due to a forceps de-
livery? DID It result from absorption OF tho
bono by tumor2 Was il due to II pre- natal
injury to the mother! L2l What matter swelled
out the head over the depression when the pa
tient coughed2 Was it blood. brain matter. or
serum Was 1t collapsed meningeceep
Each doctor had his own idea and combina.
tlon OF ldeas. and scarcely two agreed Dr.
Pollak was undecided when he left the meet
Ing whether or not to asprate. hut he vii
probably do so before the next society meeting