Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-08-01
WONDERFUL FEAT
OF SURGERY.
Youths Body, Mind and Disposition
Restored.
DEPOSIT UNDER THE BRAIN.
Skull Lifted of, Inside CleanSed and the
Patient, Richmond Man, Now ReeOv-
erilQ,

erlng.
One of the most wonderful achievements
in modern surgery-a case that will be dis
cussed and cited wherever medical science
is known and practiced- was performed
in Richmond by DR.. George Ben Johnston
a few short weeks ago.
That the result has been beneficent goes
without saying. 1t has lifted cloud
from the mind of Andrew Fairbank, son
of S. G. Fairbank, of 707 west Franklin
street, a young man of eighteen years OF
age, and has not only had the most salu-
tary effects on his physical and mental
condition, but has had a marvellous in
fuence on his disposition and character.
The operation, stated in simple terms,
was the removal of an accumulation OF
matter, about the size of hens egg, from
the base of the brain. This was accom-
plished by the boring of three holes in the
skull-one in the forehead, one on tie
side and one at the back. The holes were
then connected by saving through the bone
and the half of the skull was then lifted
off and the growth located and removed.
In addition to the large formation already
alluded to, a smaller one was detected be-
meath it, and this also was cut away.
For days after the operation, the patient
lay at the point death, with eyes set, and
the fingers and feet gradually taking the
appearance of one who is about to tread the
borders of shaw dow land. Tubes were in
serted in the skull for the purpose OF drain
ing the brain and giving healing facilities,
and gradually the probing showed that
the brain had become normal and the cav
ity filled.
Unremitting care on the part of Drs.
Johnston, and Matthews of Manchester,
resulted in saving the patients life, and
the days of his convalescence are now be-
ing happily spent at Basic City in the
mountains of Virginia. DR.. Johnston
calls the operation his masterpiece, and
the fame of it has gone abroad with the
result that similar cases are now being
considered and treated by other eminent
Richmond physicians.
Andrew Fairbank was the victim Of a
medical faux pas in his earliest days. he
suffered always; and like the majority OF
invalids, racked with physical suffering,
he was irritable and often nearly distracted
A large knot developed on the back of the
head. 1t looked almost like great blood
blister, and was removed by DIR. Hunter
Mcclure. The condition and tempera'
lnent of the patient improved after this,
and though the left side did not develop
as rapidly or as fully as the right, the boy
was relieved from the seizures that had
afflicted him before the operation.
His teachers say that he was studious
and painstaking in the extreme, but the
lessons of Yesterday were forgotten today,
and the boy, though mentally balanced
was almost entirely distracted.
When he was twelve years old he be-
came subject to alarming attacks of epilep
sy, and the failure of the physical devel
opment of his left side became more pro
nounced. There was a marked change
too, in his temperament. Specialist aftel
specialist. in all parts of the world dag
nosed the case, prescribed, and w91 BAT
fled. Young Farbank himself lelt tina
the seat of trouble lay in his head ant
in the first DAYS of the x-rays h
asked that they be applied to his hea'
in order to locate the disease. Tht
rays we're applied but without resul
WheA DIR. Johnston was called in the.
were used again at his request by Dr.
Whitfield, until the latter became fearfu
that the electricity might burn the patien
and that further damage might resul
without the hoped for discovery.
At the request Of DR.. Johnston MI
Fairbank was then taken to Professo
Starr, the famous nerve specialist, of Ne'
York, who located the seat of the disease
He explained that the nerves on the righ
side cross to the left side of the brain an
vice versa, that the poorly developed lei
side of the patient pointed to disease G
malformation on the right side of tn
brain. Consulting physicians determine
that a ridge along that side of the sku
concealed the objective point, but furtht
diagnosis by DR.. Starr resulted in the e1
act location of the formation. The ope
alton follc wed in the Old Dominion Ho
pital. and its successful result has bee
the subject of comment in medical journa
all over the world. 1t is doubtful whetht
MIR. Fairbanks physical proportions wi
ever be entirely restored, but in ever
other respect he will be the equal Of b
fellow man and monument always to tt
ingenuity, skill and benefcence of medic
science.
His memory is becoming stronger an
his temper is now as equal as that OF Il
average young man of his age. III
change in him, physical, mental and
temperament is described as wonderful.
Richmond News.