The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-04
RESULTS OF DIR. LoRENz's VISIT.


VIII Try MS MetnO0.
Philadelphia Ledger
In the opinion of many orthopaedic sur
geons, III results will probably follow the
visit of DIR. Lorenz to this country. In
medical circles this phase of the visit has
been under discussion ever since the
famous 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 profess
sor of Orthopaedic Surgery of jefferson
Medical College, who selected the score of
patients from whom DIR. Lorenz picked five
for operation. and to whose care practi-
cally the little patients were left. was
asked yesterday by Public Ledger re-
porter to express his view of this matter.
as an orthopaedic surgeon who was closely
associated with DR.. LorenZs work i'm Phila-
delphia.
He said: 'I am afraid there will be
revulsion OF feeling toward DR.. Lorenz and
his method. The reason Is this: | fear
there will be many surgeons who, having
read OF DIR. Lorenzs method, will try to
produce results in the same way, and WILL
consequently. fail in so many cases that
the public Will scott at the bloodless method
of treating congenital dislocations Just
consider the situation.
There comes to this country surgeon
who, through treating more than a thou
sand cases of congenital dislocation, has
become SO expert that his fame is world
wide and his skill marvellous. He consents
TO give several exhibition clinics of his
method for the benefit of American sur
geons. He selects none for operation ex-
cept those appearing easy, fearing acct
dents. and knowing that he will not be pres
ent to care for them afterward- Even his
skilled diagnosis sometimes went astray.
One of the cases he operated on i'm Philadel-
phia appeared easy; n1t proved as 81 he said
try. The surgeons saw him knead the mus
cles. literally tear them from the bone. turn
and twist the leg until the joint in its
socket, and then at greater than right
angle fasten il I'm "A plaster cast. But he
could not impart that delicate touch which
years OF special practice and hundreds OF
patients alone taught him. The average
orthopaedic surgeon in this country has too
few patients of this class TO become so pro-
ficient. Even DR.. LorenZ confesses he is
successful in only from 50 TO 60 per cent.
has been about % per cent.
Now what would be the result If sur
geons generally tried the I-orenz method
Cases would undoubtedly be attempted in
which there would be no chance for sue
cess. AS the patient must be kept In a
plaster cast for six months. the extent OF
these attempts will not be known for a
lone time
81 am inclined to believe. however. that
Ah.S...al. O...,opaediU surgeons who have
attained n high standing I'm their special
branch of work will continue along the
lines OF their past efforts. Not having the
numerous cases of DIR. Lorenz 10 train
their touch to such hish degree OF per-
lection. they will the one OF three
methods of operation which their dag