The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-14
Rev. Mr.. Potter Undsrgoss Opa-
ration TO Regain Use Of Legs.
MADE A CRIPPLE BY A FALL.
Plymouth Church Gave Its Assistant Pastor
Years vacation With Full csy
10 Seek Relief.

New York, Jan. n-With both legs In
cased IN plaster cast, the Rev. Horace
Porter, assistant pastor of Plymouth
church, In Brooklyn, is in the private
hospitalat5s West Thirty-third street, this
city, anxlously awaiting the results OF an
operation performed last Friday morning
which will decide whether or not he will
ever walk again.
1t was only after all hope OF otherwise
curing his anlicuon had been given up by
Mr. Porter that he consented to 40 under
the surgeons knife. In fact, n was only
as "A last resort that the operation was
performed. for the cutting entailed the
severing of some delicate ligaments I'm the
legs that are closely connected with the
spinal cord
Or. Whitman. OF this city. was the op-
Grating surgeon From all that could be
learned from outside sources physicians
called I'm consultation before the opera
tion refused 20 discuss the case-it APP
pears that 40 delicate was the operation
that the matter was discussed for several
months before IL was finally agreed upon.
Then NJ. Porter underwent special treat
ment for several weeks to prepare him TO
stand the strain.
For this purpose Plymouth church last
spring granted it's assistant pastor
years leave Of absence with a years pay.
From his home in Brooklyn he went 60
"A small town not far from New Haven.
Conn, where absolute rest and quiet was
assured. His diet was carefully regulated
by the physicians I'm attendance. and
every phase OF his case was carefully
studied
The original cause OF the trouble
which led 10 the operation beins per-
formed dates back to 1890. In July OF that
YEAR Mr.. Porter, while riding his bicycle.
was thrown and severely injured. For
more than six months he lay Ia the Long
Island College hospital. At one time IL
WAS feared that he would not recover.
Three different operations were perform
I'd on him. but when he finally left his bed
IL was found that he had lost the use
~ his legs
Using crutchcs, Mr. Porter hobbled
about his duties for a while, and then IL
was decided by the attending physicians
that he had a possible chance OF recovery.
His trip 10 Connecticut followed the grant
ing OF mis- leave OF absence from his pas
toral duties and last Wednesday he came
10 New York 60 undergo the operat ton.
Mr. Portcrs condition is practically the
sole topic OF discussion among his many
friends at Plymouth church.
lit is impossible for me 10 tell you what
condition my brother is in" said Mr.. Por-
ier's sister "for none OF us have seen
him Al we know IS that he is resting
easily and that he has a chance OF re-
covering the use OF his legs.
Just what the details Of the operation
were ! do not know. DR. Whitman per
formed n, and is reticent until the re-
suits are known. My brothers legs are In
a plaster cast and until that is taken on
no one can tell what has actually been
done for him
I'VE arc all anxious to learn Of the re-
suits, but 60 will be several weeks before
anything will he definitely known. Until
then we arc praying and hoping for the
nest