Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-01
ANENT LORENZ'S VISIT
MANY SURGEONS THINK IT MAY
RESULT BADLY.
Unskilled Men May Attempt the
Operation and Fail in Their
Efforts.

The Philadelphia Ledger Of today says:
In the opinion Of many orthopaedic sur
geons, i'll results will probably follow the
visit Of DR.. Lorenz to this country. In
medical circles this phase Of the visit has
been under discussion ever since the IA
nous Vienna surgeon gave his first clinic
to an audience Of surgeons. Many ortho-
paedists fear that the printed stories of the
work done by DR.. Lorenz will lead many
surgeons to try the method, and that their
lack of experience will make the deformity
they attempt to remedy worse, or, possibly
the life Of the patient will be sacrificed in
the rupture attending the tearing of limb.
Dr. H. Augustin Wilson. clinical professor
Of orthopaedic surgery of Jefferson Medical
College, who selected the score Of patients
from whom DR.. Lorenz picked five for ope-
ration, and to whose care practically the
little patients were left, was asked yester-
day by Public Ledger reporter to express
his view Of this matter. as an orthopaedic
surgeon who was closely associated with
DR.. Lorenz's work in Philadelphia.
He said: II am afraid there will be
reyulsion of feeling toward DR.. Lorenz and
his method The reason is this fear there
will be many surgeons who, having read of
DR.. LorenZ's method. will try to produce
results in the same way and will conse-
OuentlV, fa1l IN SO mduy cases lHdl lLe pun
lie will scott at the bloodless method of
treating congenital dislocations. Just con-
slider the situation.
"There comes to this country surgeon
who through treating more than thousand
cases of congenital dislocation, has become
so expert that his fame is worldwide and
his skill is marvellous. He consents to give
several exhibition clinics Of his method for
the benefit of American surgeons. He Sc
lects none for operation except those ap-
pearing easy fearing accidents and know
ing that he will not be present to care for
them afterward. Even his skilled diagnosis
sometimes went astray. One OF the cases
he operated on in Philadelphia appeared
easy, but proved. as he said, the hardest he
had undertaken in this country. The sur
geons saw him knead the muscles, nteraily
tear them from the bone, turn and twist
the leg until the jointswas in Its socket. and
then at a greater than right angle hasten II
in a plaster cast. But he could not impart
that delicate touch which years OF special
nractice and hundreds Of patients alone
taught him. The average orthopaed1c sur
geon in this country has too Few patients
of this class to become so pronclent Even
DR. I1orenz confesses he Is successful in
only from 80 to 90 per cent of his cases.
The average in this country has been about
25 per cent.
Now what would be the result II sur.
eeons generally tried the Lorenz method?
Gases would undoubtedly be attempted IN
which there would be no chance for sue
cess. AS the patient must be kept In a
MASTER cast Tor SIX LnOutnS lHe eAteul VI
these attempts will not be known for a
long time.
II am inclined to believe however, that
American orthopaedic surgeons who have
attained a high standing in their special
| branch Of work will continue along the
lines of their past efforts. Not having the
numerous cases Of DR.. Lorenz to train their
| touch to such a high degree OF perfection
thew will use the one of three methods Of
| operation which their diagnosis leads them
| to believe promises the best results-the use
| of the knife. the bloodless method, or a
| combination Of both.
Gas to DR.. Lorenzs patients whom he
| operated on in this country. he had q Sc
we're accident in Chicago and poor success
| In Boston. In Philadelphia he encountered
| some peculiar manifestations. But in all
| these cases 1t is too early to pass final judg-
ment, for the result will not be known for
| six months.
.sThen there L. more to be done to them.
| and DR.. Lorenz Is not here with his skiliful
| touch to direct: After the plaster cast Is
| removed comes a delicate part OF the work
| The limb must be moved gradually for
| three months into Its normal position. Sup-
| pose there is something out OF place. DR..
Loren4 by moving the leg could discover it.
The surgeons here must do the best they
! can. Then there follows another three