Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-02-04
From Dog to Man.

The sciatic nerve of dog has been
transplanted to the wrist of man in
Grand Rapids, Mich, with excellent
results. The absolute succ ess of the
operation was Just made known after
the patient announced that he had
had sensation in his paralyzed hand
over the mended nerve.
Six months ago N. Graybiel, a saw
mill laborer of Caledonia, village a
few miles from Grand Rapids, was
badly cut by saw on the right wrist.
When the wound had healed he was
startled to learn that part Of his hand
became numb, paralyzed. The SEEM
ingly dead portion extended entirely
through the little, the third and a
part of the middle finger. In the
palm of the hand it reached to the
base of the thumb. The ulnar and
the median nerves Of the arm had
been severed. The posterior and radi-
cal nerves supplied the route for the
transmission of sensation to the other
parts of the hand.
Mr.. Gravbiel was brought to Grand
Rapids for treatment, and it was de-
cided to operate upon him and attempt
the transplanting Of the nerves of a
live dog to the injured part. The
patient was anesthetized and so was
the dog, on a table near him. In the
mans wrist an incison was made bar
ing the wounded nerve and tendons'
For the space Of an inch and half
the median nerve was found to be ter
ribly crushed and torn. With an cleo
trio current at either side the injured
part still refused to convey sensation.
1t had not transmitted any feeling for
more than six months.
The bruised portion of the nerve
was cut away and the ends were
trimmed squarely. Then more than
an inch and half was taken out and
the surgeons next turned to the dog.
From the animal the sciatic nerve was
removed and cut into a length CORE
spending to the pieces removed from
the mans wrist 1t was about half
the size Of lead pencil. 1t was laid
next to that of the man, end to end,
and two holes were bored in each, so
that silk sutures might draw them to-
gether. A similar operation was per-
formed on the ulnar nerve. after which
the incision was closed. The strag
Cling ends of the nerves had been
hard to find and the operation had
consumed two hours
In a week the patient was able to
feel slight sensation over the mend
ed nerves. Then he announced COM
plete control Of his hand. The oper-
alton had been successful. 1t was per-
formed by DR.. R. Peterson of Grand
Rapids in the presence and with the
assistance of House Physician Culp of
St. Marks Hospital; DR.. Grabiel of
Caledonia, and DR.. Hooker of Grand
Rapids.
The dog, small black spaniel, died
Before it was rendered unconscious It
was given eight grains Of morphine to
bring about a merciful end.
The case will be fully reported in
the medical journals of the country
by the physicians interested. DR..
Peterson is preparing an exhaustive
treatise upon it. He anticipates in
his discovery the remedy for many
cases of partial paralysis, In Grand
Rapids, the furniture center of the
world, perhaps, there are many ma
chine workers who have received in
luries similar to that of Mr.. Graybiel,
and further experiments will be made
at once for the purpose of determin-
ing how far the transplanting oper-
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