The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-01-02
NO. 45.
ASTONISHING DISSECTION.
Entire CerebrO-Spinal Nervous Sys-
tenn Removed from Human Subject
by Philadelphia Physician.

In the Museum of Hahnemann coll
lege is a specimen of dissection that
probably cannot be egualed and is
the only one of it's kind in existence
in the world. 1t is the work of one
of the professors there, DR.. Rufus B.
Weaver. 1t shows the entire cerebro-
spinal nervous systematic brain and
spinal cord and nerves connected
therewith-in a single specimen de-
tached from all other parts, says the
Philadelphia Press.
To do this required six months of
the most exacting toll and the most
ski,lful use of dissecting tools.
Before he began the work the idea
of preparing this wonder had for sew
eral years been gradually shaping it.
self in DIR. Weaver's mind.
From his acquaintance with anato-
mical collections in this country, sup
plemented by an examination of the
more celebrated museums of Great
Britain in the summer of 1887, he was
well satisfied that no such specimen
as he contemplated had ever been
MAUI. Liz was dl TIC Sdlut Gllue lully
impressed with the difficulties of ac-
complishing the work. Yet, guided
by the experience of over 20 years in
the dissecting room, he considered
the plan feasible and finally decided
to make the attempt.
Accordingly he selected a female
subject about 35 years old, with mod
crate adipose Development, and pre-
viously injected with chloride Of
zinc, and commenced his task.
Four months later the dissection
was fully completed and now the
problem of properly mounting the
| same became one of great difficulty.
After much study and experiment,
however, this question was most sue
cessfully solved and three months
later the specimen was finally and
most satisfactorily completed.
Thus over six months, with the ex-
ception of a two weeks vacation,
with from eight to ten hours day,
were consumed in the dissecting and
mounting of this specimen.
With the exception of the inter-
been preserved to their terminal fila
ments. The impossibihty of spread
ing the latter out on the board, or of
giving them their natural curve over
the spinal cord, led to their final
sacrifice, although each had been dis
sected to its terminal tilament.
The II pairs of cranial nerves have
been carefully preserved and support
ed as nearly as possible in their
natural position and relation by fine
wires.
The difficulties to be overcome in
the execution of this piece of dissec-
ton were numerous and perplexing.
In the first place, as the several
nerves were dissected, each had to be
most carefully preserved from injury
and kept in a moist condition.
This was effected by rolling each
nerve in thin gauze and then in a
wad of cotton and keeping the same
saturated in alcohol and covered by
rubber cloth.
| The base of the skull had to be
laboriously and carefully Clipped
away, piece by piece, the greatest
care being required to prevent the in
jury of the nerves or their detach-
ment at the point of exit through the
dura mater Covering of the brain).
| Nearly two weeks were consumed
IN this work. The same painstaking
care was necessitated in the chipping
away of the vetebra (bones of spinal
column) and the removal of the spinal
cord with the attached nerves.
The removal of the skull left the
dura mater entire and unin jured. It
was now opened, the brain removed
and the cavity filed with curled hair
and carefully closed with stitches.
The eyes were left attached to the
optic nerves, the coats being disterrl-
ed with hard injection. While in
the plate the nerves appear as if rest
ing directly upon the board; in fact,
not single nerve is in contact with
the surface, each being supported by
small pins at distance of about one
fourth of an inch from the surface
and to which they are tied by minute
igatures.
>Ay hNi'S 'S PeiItCtly cream ana
free from all extraneous tissues and
smooth as threads of silk.
The sheath of the spinal cord is
laid open, showing the roots of all
the nerves as well as their points Of
escape through the membranes.
The Marriage Cure.
One remedy against indigestion is
matrimony. At least the Lancet tells
us that it is the celibate young bar
rister, the lonely curate in lodgings,
the struggling bachelor journalist or
business man or clerk who suffers
most from premature dyspepsia be-
; cause he eats alone. He generally
reads during his meals, which is bad,
or he reads directly he has bolted his
food, which is likewise bad. Obviously,
therefore, matrimony is bar to in.
: digestion.--London Globe.