The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-11
How a Case Of Fractured
Spine Was Treated.
LaminectOmy Successfully
Employed in New York.
Chinaman Who Has Unique and
Very Dangerous Weapon.

al saw In last Tuesdays NEWS" said
q rising young doctor TO the Gossiper
this morning, San account OF serious
accident that befell Michael Shea down
at fish oil works at Iiverton. Accord
ing to the report he went into the works
at night to get some clothing ana while
cropping his way along in the dark fell
from an elevated walk and struck in
such way a. to fracture two of the
bones of the vertebrae. He is now, be-
lieve, at the Rhode Island Hospital and
/ would not be surprised IL the surgeons
there found 1t necessary TO resort TO lami-
nectomy to prevent him from being
deformed cripple for the remainder OF mis-
life.
'swhat is Iaminectomy? Well, can
best explain that by telling you of a very
interesting case that has just occurred in
New York. About a year ago young
man had the misfortune TO fall from a
third story window. His back was
broken and partial paralysis OF the lower
limbs resulted. For period OF fully four
weeks he remained unconscious. The
surgeons found that two of the hollow
bones of the vertebrae had been crushed
and that they pressed upon the spinal
cord, producing paralysis. Around these
injured bones plaster OF paris jacket
was moulded, nerve tonics were ad minis
tered and electricity applied for more
than a month, but there was not the
slightest sign of improvement. Lami-
nectomy was then decided on as the only
remedy.
"Directly over the seat OF the injury
deformity existed. The two broken
bones OF the vertebrae had been forced
upward In the form of V. DIR. Bryant,
one of the surgeons in charge of the case
made an incision four inches long at this
spot Then the muscles OF the pt ok were
pushed aside leaving the broken bones
exposed. The shattered parts were cut
away and the spinal cord laid bare. The
cord was carefully raised, when another
projection was discovered, which was
also cut-away. After this the cord was al.
lowed to drop back into the spinal col
umn, the muscles and skin were sewed
tcStbbtI auu tnc opcIhtioh Wds NOHlpitttu.
The latest information have about the
case is that the patient is improving and
Is expected to recover entirely"
The Chinese of Providence are, as a rule,
very peaceable, and IT is seldom indeed
that one of them runs counter to the |
law 1here isn't any doubt, however,
that they have In their places Of business |
weapons of various sorts. A gentleman
who is on friendly terms with several
Cinnamon tells the Gossiper that one of
the Celesiials. recent arrival from New
York, has in his possession one of the
most deadly instruments OF Of
tense and defense he has ever
seen. The weapon consists OF
four heavy iron bars, eight inches long,
joined with swivels. terminating in a
bar, tspered to a point as sharp as a
needle while at the other end is a handle
wrapped with whip cord. It's length is
little over three feet and its weight about
i've pounds. II doubles up into COM
pact bundle readily carried in the hand.
The method of using 1t is TO throw the
sharp point into an adversary's face and
then with q swing bring the second link
down on the head.