Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-13
INDUSTRIAL DELAWARE.
Large Committee to Prosecute Work IN
Interest of Favorable Legislation.

Uarpe Committee to Prosecute Work In
Interest of Favorable Legislation.
Thirteen years old Harvey Beetle OF
No. 4OS West Twenty fourth street is
living illustration Of the strides made
in surgery in these latter days. On
Sunday evening, October 2Sth, Harvey
was accidentally shot IN the abdomen
by q playmate, Norman Lowry, OF No.
liz West Twenty third street. Norman
was loading revolver with which to
hunt burglars when it was accidentally
discharged. The bullet entered Be-
telle's abdomen on the left side.
traversed tic the right and struck the
pelvic bone, then glanced and went
nearly to the end Of the bowel. lodging
inside the pelvic bone. In its course
across the abdomen the bullet pierced
the bowel ~ times.
The wounded boy was taken to
house near where he was shot, and DIR.
Edgar Worthington was summoned.
The boys parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Will.
liam II. Betells, who were In Grace
Methodist Episcopal Church at the
time, were notified of the accident.
The boys condition was found to be
very serious and be was removed to the
Delaware Hospital. When he reached
there he was in state bordering on
collapse. The physicians saw from the
symptoms that the bullet had per-
forated his bowel and the only hope to
save his life was by an operation.
An incision was made down the
middle OF the abdomen aud his bowels
were taken out and examined. Twelve
holes we're found which had been made
by the bullet. Each of these perfora.
lions was carefully washed and sewed
up with catgut. While the operation
was In progress, a close watch was
kept on the patients condition and
when it showed weakening stimulating
medicine was injected. Altogether
about two hours we're occupied in ths
operation, and for an hour and hall
of that time the boys bowels were Out
of his body. 1t was glad moment FOL
the physicians when the bowels hac
been replaced and the incision sewet
: up, and the patient still lived.
The operation was IN charge Of Dr.
John Palmer, Jr., of the surgical staff
and the assisting physicians we're DIR
Howard Ogle, DIR. Worthington, DIR. ]
W. Dastian and DR.. Joseph z. Wales, Jr
The bullet was allowed to remail
where it had LOGGED, as the physician
deemed it less dangerous there thai
] it might be to explore for 1t, Their
being a possibility Of cutting an AFTER
) in the search. 1t is not likely to Civ
. the boy any trouble.
. Young Betele had no trouble afte
tho operation. The bowels healed rapid
! and without pain, the oatgut stitche
\ being gradually absorbed, and tho In
s cision in the abdomen healed finely
8 The stitches were removed from til
, incision about nine days after th
q operation. =.
4 For few weeks the boy remained Q
I the hospital, and an abdominal SUI
Q porter was secured for him until tn
o muscles Of the abdomen regain thei
p former strength. He left the hospital
, week or so ago and returned hom'
Q where he is taking life easy for til
Q present. The physicians cautioned hill
It not to be too active for time, SO as
N prevent any injury to the delica'
!, tissues.
IL 1t has been only in the last 10 yea
d that such operations as this have bee
o attempted with any degree of success
i, Formerly 1t WIS considered that IL
y person sustained cut Of the intestin
!. death was sure to follow.
9 There is at the Delaware Hospit
n another case testifying TO the skill
It the surgeons. Miss Bertha Hornby
10 Brandywine hundred was brought the
It one Sunday evening suffering with al
j. pendicitis. Her condition was We
>. serious. An operation was perform,
B. that night and she is recovering. 81
'e is a patient Of DIR. F. Harvey Day.