The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-19
JAwBoNE OF ALUMINIUM.
a Diseased Member Taken Out and
Replaced by Metal.
From the Baltimore American.

From the Baltimore American.
Pittsburg. July IA rare surgical op-
GRAFTON, which is expected to attract great
attention among the medical profession
of the country, was performed yesterday
afternoon at the Presbyterian hospital
on Sherman avenue, Allegheny, and wit
messed by a number of doctors of the two
cities. Aluminium, the latest discovery
in metal, was used as a substitute for
bone. The left jaw of the patient was
almost entirely extracted, and an arti-
fetal one made of the material mentioned
was applied.
The case is one of the first of its kind
in this part of the country. 1t has been
experimental with in the east, and sue
cessfully in two or three instances. The
operation was skilfully conducted and
the patient will recover the full use Of
his jaws.
He is William Mcdonnell of Claysville
which is a small town ten miles east Of
Washington, Pa. He is about As years
of age and married. He was taken
to the hospital on Wednesday suffering
from what he supposed was an unusual
attack of toothache. The pain was in the
left jaw, and to him it seemed to extend
from the center of the chin four inches
along the left jaw bone. An examina ton
and consultation by the staff of physi-
clans of the institution developed the i'm
portance of the case.
The result of their deliberations was
that the jaw had become affected by the
a
two years ago. 1t had eaten into the flesh
and bone of the left jaw. causing erup-
tons of the flesh. A strange accumula-
ton of flesh appeared, which was grad
ually growing along the bone, forming an
abcesS in the meantime known techni-
cally as sarcoma. 1t was believed that
if the case was allowed to develop that
blood poisoning would set in, and that
death would result within a very short
time. The operation was therefore de-
cided upon.
The surgeons first found it necessary
to open the flesh about five inches from
the chin along the side of the face. in
order to prepare for the more delicate
work which was to follow. Then the
saw was applied, and the same space Of
jawbone on the left side from the center
Of the chin was removed.
An examination of the bone after IL had
been removed thoroughly accorded with
the diagnosis of the physicians. 1t had
all the traces of the peculiar affiiction
mentioned. The one chance of life for the
patient was its removal.
The aluminium. which is Eight in weight,
measuring probably quarter of an inch
wide and very THIN, was twisted into
shape Four inches of II We're strung out
between the severed flesh, which was care
fully connected about 1t in such a man
ner that the growth of flesh and bone
would not be affected. The aluminium will
act as a strong support between the space
left by the removal of the bone. The pa
tient suffered great pain while the oper-
alton was in progress
It is believed tiiat ne win fully recover.
The superintendent, Mrs. DR.. Lyle, said
Yesterday that he was resting easy. and
that his temperature was a little above
normal and that it was improving. She
saws the flesh has been carefully united
and that the man viii not be marked for
life He can easily hide the scar, which
win probably remain after the cut has
been healed, by growing a beard. She
saws the aluminium Will remain as the
permanent part Of the jaw, and that after.
1he muscles of the face have fully gath
cred up the lost strength that the pa
tient VII be In good condition again He
will probably remain in the hospital for
some time.