The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-03

Remarkable Discovery Made by Means
ofthe N-Rays.
baltimore Sun Oct. sith.)

Baltimore Sun Oct. 9itE.)
One OF the most remarkable accidents
in the annals Of surgery has been
brought to light by the aid OF the ~
rays.
About eleven weeks ago a machinist
employed in the shops of the Geiser
Manufacturing Company. at Waynes-
boro, Pa, was found lying unconscious
at the side OF the machine he had been
operating. There was a cut across the
bridge OF his nose, another below the
chin. n still nothe on one OF his
legs. The machine had contained two
steel chisels. each five n a half inches
long. one inch wide and one quarter
inch thick. One OF the ceisels was
found lying on the floor near the ma
chine. but. although a diligent search
was made the other chisel could not be
found.
The injured man was given medical
attention at his home and later was
brought to Baltimore and taken to St
Joseph's Hospital, on North Carolina
street. He was treated In one OF the
wards. and after several weeks the
wounds healed. About three weeks ago
the patient began To complain OF a
Stiffness in the muscles OF the neck, and
later a partial paralysis % some Of the
nerves Of the face and neck developed.
The conclusion was reached that there
was some foreign substance In the
wound. and IL was decided h n the
patient should be photographed by the
N-rays.
Yesterday an attendant ~ The hos. g..
tai took the patient to the state norm a
school. the physical laboratory OF VIII. il
has one OF the finest N-rays equipmer :
in the country. PROFESSOR William -.
\. Hammel. OF the chair OF physi =.
placed the patient under the action VI
the rays and by means OF the nurosc pe
locate the lost chisel in the patierts
face and throat. The tool. when IL
flew from the machine. mus have
struck on the bridge Of the mGn's nose
sharp end foremost. and tking a
downward course, penetrated (; bones,
flesh and muscles until ID reached al
most to the vertebrae.
After locating the chisel, rofessor
Hammel made a photograph +. he face
and head OF the patient IA. rad6O-
graph shows the kul and T. tones OF
the face. and distinctly shows the
chisel.
The upper end of the too, is shown
just where the bony structure OF the
nose begins. and can be traced along
its entire length almost 10 THE Vcrte-
brae. The picture is SO , .inct hat
the rounded edges OF the easel can be
plainly distinguished.
The chisel. in its course. not only mar
rowly missed the juglar vein. but came
within a short distance of a.vcr.ug the
base OF the tongue.
The patient, before the accident. was
a strong, robust man. but he has now
become greatly emaCiated on account
of his inability TO swallow solid food.
He also experiences great difficulty in
articulating, and IT is witt difficulty
that he can make himself understood.
IL Is expected that al operation Will b.
performed within a few days 40 remove
the chisel.
Fridays Baltimo~e sun says: The
! chisel which was ,nbedded d. he face
of Charles c. B8ksr a. VII ,boro,
Pa, eleven weeks ago, was suyD ,fully
removed yesterday at 81. Joseph Hos
pital, on North caroline S.rtg The
operation was n most delicate onc, fears
We're entertained that tn ttlenc
would not stand the shock.
The operation was performed . DR.
Lou.s McLane Tiffany, who used the
photograph TO locate the exact position
of the chiseL 1t was necessary - open
the face Of Mr.. Baker from tlr eye
brows down the nose 10 the upper lip.
The flesh was laid To one side q, a then
strong forceps were used IN GI Awing
the chisel. II was feared th.t Khe
chisel had been SO firmly imbeaied in
the flesh and bones that con. .rable
difficulty would be experienced re-
moving the tool. This fear was no; zoe
allied, as the chisel was nJt s., In. y
imbedded as was expected.
DIR. Tiffany was besieged all Cay
yesterday with inquiries conccr ing /.
case, and kilograms were !.ceiI /
from other cities asking for d.lails.
The N-rays apparatus at tir - 20
Normal school is considered on Of iac
finest in the country. IT was pL chased
about two years ago, and since It's in
stallation Professor Hammel has been
enabled to render considerable aid 10
medictl science in addition 10 the in
~Struction he has given his classes.