Arizona republican., 1901-09-20
OPERATION ON AN OSTRICH.
Surgeons and Assistants Put the B.r.I
 Hors de Combat

Hors de Combat.
 A carload of ostriches from Arizona came into Indianapolis by freight the other day. Their pres snce was made known by an impatient ring at the tele- phone of Dr. Garstang. local surgeon of the Big Four. The doctor answered:
 Gan you treat ostricnes?" a voice asked.
 T might said the doctor. thinkin, some wag friend was talking. Or I might treat parrots or humming bird .. but I don't make a speciality of it."
 I'm not kidding" the voice conti-.- ued, and he explained that he was the Biightwood station agent. and that q carload of ostriches was hung up" there. He further explained that one of the birds had accidentally cut its neck, and there was fear that it was seriously injured.
 Dr. Garstang at once communicated with Dr. w. E. Craig. veterinarian. Both leaped into the buggies and huo- ried to the Massachusetts avenue sta tiOn, to which point the car containing the cstriches was taken from Bright wood. Dr. Craig was accompanied by Maurice Lynch, his driver, wherein he
 
 boxer of no little consequence.
 When the doctors entered the car they found 1t full of ostriches, whose long necks were as high as The roof and as low as the floor. sr Craig, who is almost as big as an ostrich himself faced the largest group. containing nine. A big black ostrich darted out his head and tried to seize the doctors Scottish Rite pin. Another cleveriy pulled off 8 sus bender buckle from m hlquiring laborer who had intruded into the car. He fled. The injured ostrich was bleeding from long wound in it's neck.
 Dr. Craig understood at a glance what was to be done The wound must be treated with antiseptics and sewed up. The sewing, he said, would be like swing a bootleg. But how to do this was, . question. He appealed to the two men who had charge of the os- tricaes. Carl Kirkman, the keeper, saia the only way was to get men enough to hold the ostrich. There was himself and his assistant. Fred White. They were about half enough The doeto.. turned to Lynch.
 'Here's your star engagement on tie mat he said.
 Lynch said naught. but rolled up his sleeves The box car was pulled along side an empty car and q gangway con structed. Across this the ostrich was forced with some difficulty. The chief danger. I<irkman explained, was that injury makes am ostrich fcro-ious and a blow from his foot is like the knock out blow of a mule. The keepers go: the bird by it's mighty wings and Lync,i set haminerlOck hold.
 There was 2 struggle. much grunt- ing and a few explosives not usually printed. and then down went the os- tricn. Lynch changed his hold and got a half-nelson and foothoId. The big bird tried vainly to rise again. bus Lynch and the keepers had him foul.
 Dr. Craig washed the wound with antiseprics and took twenty stitches on each side. The injury was probably caused by a splinter and may be fatal. The neck was not bandaged. but was plastered with antiSeptic dressing. Then the ostrich was allowed to rise and Lynch took q long breath.
 'Shake." he said. ''I have no hara feelings
 The big bird wheeled and lifted up is foot II set it down aionp side i.vrch's left lei-. and under it h;ur Of lsynch's trcuser5 leg went. too. His lss was ai5r scratched, but not seriously. Lyr,cii received q new pair. with the compIi- neTts ef thc Big Four.-1ndianapclls News. .-