The evening times., 1898-10-17
A NEW CURE FOR LOCKJAW
Successful Operation in a New
Jersey Hospital.
SEEMED A HOPELESS CASE
Patient ReIfer ed by nm Injection of
Tetanus Antitoxin Into the Brain.
Recovery Seems Certain-A Heroic
Remedy That VIII Interest All
Schools of Surgery.

New York, Oct. 17.-There was perform
ed in the General Hospital, Passaic, n. j.,
a few days ago an operation said to be
the first of its kind in this country, and
the eighth in the world the seven pre-
vious operations having been undertaken
in Paris. 1t is said four of the seven
French cases were successful, and the one
just performed promises TO have an equal
ly happy result.
The operation was witnessed by several
prominent physicians from New York,
who have been much interested in it's out
come, and some of whom have made daily
journeys TO Passaic to watch the progress
OF the case. BY the operation young
man dying of loekjaw, and whose jaws
had been set for days is now able to eat
and 10 use his jaws with freedom and has
every chance IL is thought, of ultimate
complete recovery.
The operation consisted in the injection
Of tetanus antitoxin into the brain.
While staying with his family at Della
ware Water Gap some time ago, Aaron NJ.
Henion, son of a wealthy resident of
Passaic, fell from window in the hotel
and crashed through a glass skylighL
Besides other injuries, which were com
paratiyely slight, a large portion of the
calf of one of his legs was torn complete
ly away by the glass. After having the
wound temporarily dressed Hermion re-
moved TO Paterson, and was taken to the
General Hospital
Preparations were made TO amputate
the leg. owing to the danger of lockjaw
which was great The wound showed
ctD nf haa in all
tion was not performed. Everything point
ed to the danger of detanus being passed,
when a week ago IL suddenly developed.
DR. Charles A Church, who had charge
of the case summoned Rambard. of the
Pssteur Institute, soon the tetanus
developed. DR.. Rambard assisted at some
of the operations in Paris in June last,
which resulted successfully.
He prepared the serum and ii was in
jeeted into Hamion's body, but without
any effect. The young mans jaws re-
| mained firmly set. The patient was In
an apparently hopeless condition, when
| il was decided TO resort to heroic meas
ures. Even If unsuccessful the operation
would not shorten his life by any appre-
ciable time.
He was placed upon the operating Ia
| ble and the skull was trepanned on
both sides in such a manner as to eX-
tanus antitoxin serum was then injected
| directly into the brain tissue.
Almost Immediately upon the intro
duction of the serum into the brain
| there was a noticeable relaxation of the
| muscles of the jaws. and the improve
ment has since been steady and con-
stant. The patient is now able to take
solid food, only in small quantities, it is
true, but enough TO strengthen, and his
ability TO eat and TO properly masticate
his food is constantly growing. He sleeps
well and suffers little pain.
His improvement is said to be more
rapid than that of any of the French
patients, and the success of the opera
| ton more marked. The facts of the op-
Grafton were not made public until yes
terday, because IL was desired TO prove
| its success or failure before announcing
| ii.
DR. Church says the recovery OF the
patient is now reasonably sure. The
wound In the leg is nearly healed, and
should not give further trouble.