The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-07-08
POPE LEO STILL LIVES.
important Operation Performed
Yesterday.
His Physicians Draw a Quantity of Water
From His Lungs and Thus Give Him
Great Wonderful caImness
and Courage With Which the
PontifF Endured the Operation.

Pontiff Endured the Operation.
Rome, July THE Pope was operat-
ed on this afternoon and felt immediate
relief. After the operation the fol-
lowing bulletin was issued by his
physicians:
"The test puncture of the pleura has
been made and eight hundred grams Of
LIQUID taken off. A rapid examination
showed that some mucus was rattling
in the lung which was originally affect,
ed. The Pope underwent the operation
with courage. His general condition
is now better and he is resting
DIR. Mazzoni said the danger remain
ed Imminent. But the illness from
which the Pope was suffering was full
Of surprises. His Holiness might even
live three days longer.
The ealmness with which the Pope
underwent the ordeal of the operation
was one of the most remarkable evi-
dences of fortitude that he had given
in his whole life. After lengthy
conference the doctors concluded it
was advisable to operate for pleurisy,
the primary purpose being to explore
the affected parts. They hoped Incl
dentially to draw off the collected
fluid. When their determination was
communicated to the Pontif he show
ed no anxiety. On the contrary, he
submitted very willingly, expressing
the hope that good results might come,
recalling the successful results fol-
lowing DR.. Mazzini's operations some
years ago for cyst. As the operation
was not of capital nature, not
suggesting the use of chloroform or
other anaesthetics, the Pope lay on
his bed, with his left side exposed be-
low the armpis, to the waist. Only
the two doctors and two personal at
tendants were within the chamber.
The immediate directions Of the oper-
alton devolyed on Dr.. Mazzoni, who
handled the instruments and made the
preparatory arrangements. First a
slight incision was made the side of
the venerable patient. A solution Of
alcohol and corrosive sublimate was
then injected, and cocaine was use to
deaden the sensation. The point OF
operation was just below the seventh
rib, and the operation itself consisted
in the insertion Of a large Prayaz
needle syringe. This penetrated to
the region where the matter had ac-
cumulated, and by means of suction
slowly drew it off. Under the skilfnl
guidance of DR.. Mazzoni the operation
scarcely took over four minutes.
The Pope showed no pain whatever,
neither was there the slightest culver
from moral dread of the operation.
In the language of one of the doctors,
the cocaine SO deadened the parts
that the Pontif felt nc more than
Slight pin-prick.
So soon as the liquid was drawn off
by the suction needle the patient felt
great relief. owing to the removal OF
the pressure of the liquid on the lung,
and simultaneously the, doctors could
hear air passing through that lung,
which this morning was declared to
be impervious owing to congestion.
From pathological standpoint the
free passing of air was considered
satisfactory, but more so were the re-
suits, the mental and physical relief
which it brought to the Pope. He
Immediately showed : an ezhilarated
spirit. With slight smile on his
pallid face, he whispered his thank
fulness and bestowed benediction on
the doctors bending over him. Inc
Pontif even stroked DR.. Mazzonls
face in the benevolent way which is
characteristic of him. Then with one
hand he rearranged his pillow, closed
his eyes and in few moments passed
into calm, healthful sleep. The doctors
remained by the Pope's side, noting
the regularity Of his breathing and
pronounced the operation to have been
in every way successful, and leaving
nc .,ossible adverse results.