The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-02
carynx Of metal
ilew Jersey Wsman Is 70 bass
Hin HrfifltiaI. Platinum 5cles.

New York. April Mrs. George L. Ken
~. OF PIainfeld. y. J.. has voluntarily
been the subject Of one OF the mast rare
and difficult operations known 70 surgical
science This is nothing less than the re-
moval OF the entire Iarynx, including the
vocal chords. and the surgeons attending
her purpose TO supply an artificial iarynx
OF platinum. with metal reeds, which will
enable the woman TO speak But she VIII
not be able 10 shout or whisper. Her
voice will have but one key.
Bellevue surgeons VINO were told Of the
operation last night, and also OF the report
from plain4eld that Mrs. Henry is getting
well expressed the greatest surprise,
though they admitted that the operation,
dangerous as IT is, had been performed
successfully before.
The presence OF a cancerous growth in
the lrynx, or windpipe. made the operation
imperative. The growth had involved the
larynx 10 such an extent that Mrs Henry
had been gasping for breath for three
days. In a day or two more she would
have choked 10 death. DR.. f. c. Ard ad-
vised laryngotomy. which means cutting
out the larynx. Mrs. Henry consented, as
1t was the only means TO save her life,
and in the presence OF DR.. Brewer OF this
city. DR.. Ard performed the difficult oper-
alton.
Mrs. Henry lost but little bloow owing
to the care OF the surgeons. and 70 the sur
prise Of her friends survived the ordeal
and retained her strength. More remark
able still the wound began to heal by frs.
intention" as the surgeons put it,
The supplying OF artificial vocal cords
70 Mrs. Henry IS the most remarka Bile part
OF the feat, and DR.. Ards one fear IS that
some remnant Of the cancer may remain,
which would defeat all that has been done.
He is anxious 20 take the measurement
of the throat cavity as soon as possible
and have the platinum frame for the new
vocal cords constructed.
Dr. Sterling LOOMS, OF the third surgi-
cal staff of Bellevue hospital, said last
night:
81 can cali to mind but one successful
case OF the kind. The operation was per-
formed on a patient at Heidelberg, and he
recovered and used the artificial cords. It
is very rare operation and very seldom
successful. 1t was in this case a last re-
sort apparently.
II Mrs. Henry does recover and receives
the artificial cords she will ce able 70
speIk in one key onls Che will not be
able to shout or to lower her voice. for,
whereas the natural vocal cords are sus-
ceptible of contraction and expansion. the
artificial ones can neither be relaxed or
frightened. The natural vocal cords are
drawn tight like the strings OF a violin
when you speak IN loud tone. and they
ara slack when you speak deeply or from
the chest"
DR.. Jennings. of the second surgical
staff of Bellevue, said he recalled a SINH
lar operation at the New York hospital
He conceded with DR.. Loomis in the belief
that Mrs. Henry will not be able to vary
the key Of her voice. Singing viii BE- i'm
'mossible to her. for sic viii be able TO
sound but one note.
DR.. Swanick, of the fourth surgical staff,
/ said Mrs. Henry should recover If none
! OF the growth was left, and he saw no rea-
son why artificial vocal cords could not be
/ adjusted. All the surgeons manifested the
| greatest interest In the case.
| The case referred to by Dr.. Jennings
was that of a poor German immigrant,
who had been detained az Castle Garden
and sent to Wards Island. The cancer in
/ his larynx was situated just as was that
! which ended the life OF Emperor Freder-
lex Of Germany. The man attracted the
sympathy Of DR.. Thomas, then superin-
| dendent of Wards Island. and through his
| influence he was sent TO the New York
| hospital, where DR.. William T. Bull per-
| formed the operation. Artificial vocal
cords were placed. but the patient devel-
/ oped another cancer and died OF It.