The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-14
wHrsTLED WHILE UNCONSCIOUS.
Ether and ChIoroform Produce a
Queer Effect on a German.


From the ST. Louis Post-Dispatch.
DIR. Edwin Ricketts, of Cincinnati is one
of the largest men physically and men
tally in the Southern Surgical and Gyneco-
logical Association. He is known as a
daring and skllful operator, and has
achieved a reputation by his contributions
to medical journals on abdominal surgery.
Those who know the doctor say he is as
brave ordinarily as julius Caesar. Yet,
like the Styx-dipped Achilles, he has a
vulnerable spot.
The story told on the genial surgeon
comes from his home, Cincinnati. He was
invited by fellow physician to be pres
ent at a particularly difficult demonstra-
ton. DR.. Ricketts, was late in arriving
and was forced to take a position on the
outer edge of the circle of doctors and
students. Nothing had been said about
the condition of the subject and he sup
posed it was a cadaver. The figure was
that of a giant Teuton, and to all appear
enves was perfectly rigid. Not a muscle
stirred and no breathing was perceptible
The location of the operation was exposed,
and the operator, grasping his knife, ad-
vanced to the patient. AS the cold steel
touched the flesh a startling thing hap
pened From beneath the faXon mus
tache of the form on the table came the
familiar notes of Annie Laurie" whist
led clearly and distinctly. The effect on
the company was electrical. The operat-
ing surgeons knife fell with q rattle to
the floor, the students rushed for the door
and the older physicians stood transfixed
with amazement.
Clear and sweet came the notes of the old
song, even to the last bar Then the tune
was switched to die Wacht am Rhine
By the time this was completed the room
was empty of students, but the veteran
physicians remained trembling at their
posts Suddenly the subject sat up. As he
gazed over the row of whte-aproned fig
urcs wild light sprang into his eyes. With
a yell he leaped from the table and dealt
the nearest physician a stunning blow in
the. face, then he attacked the others.
Chairs, tables, bookcases were overturn-
ed, glasses smashed and furniture demol-
ished The physicians got outside and
awaited the cooling of the Germans pas
sion. Gradually he became calmer until at
last he sank exhausted in a chair The
medical men advanced in a body and de-
manded an explanation. The patient could
give none. For a time he was crazy DR..
Ricketts, was informed that the man had
been under the influence of an anesthetic
and was asked to assist in the operation.
The patient insisted that the work so on,
and choroform was substituted for ether.
The knives were brought out and an incis-
ion was about to be made when. for the
second time, the strains of Annie Lau-
rie' fell upon the ears of the company.
This time there was no delay. Everybody
except Dr. Ricketts, fed to the street. A
few moments later he too had to seek ref
uge from the huge fist of the German, who
was again on the rampage. After this sec
ond outbreak the demonstration was aban-
doned. The strange consequences of the
anesthetic were never satisfactorily eX-
planned by the medical fraternity, but to
this day DR.. Ricketts, cannot hear the
strains of Annie Laurie" without think
ing of the shoes and lodging imaginary