The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-04-14
BULLET FOUND In THE BRAIN.
Delicate Surgical Operation on Little
Evan S8yre.

Delicate Surgical Operation on Little
Evan Sayre.
Eleven weeks ago Evan Sayre, ten
year. old son of Mr.. and Mrs. James
Sayre OF Fulton, accidently shot himself
with 22-calibre rifle, the bullet striking
him Just over the eye, piercing the skull
and fracturing the frontal bone. DR..
McManus, who was called, found split
portion of the bullet under the scalp
and probing the wound removed numer-
Gus small pieces of bone, but was unable
to locate the remaining pieces of the
bullet, which led to the conclusion that
possibly none of the metal had entered
the skull cavity. The lad was at no time
unconscious from the injury and was ap-
parently getting along we'll for some
weeks thereafter. Then he began to
complain of pain in his head and the
matter became so serious that DR.. Jack
son was called and the wound opened up
again and probed to see if an abscess
was not forming in the brain. Some re-
lief was obtained though no abscess was
located and for few days the condition
of the boy improved, but return of the
symptoms complained of demonstrated
to the physicians that the real trouble
had not been located Then it was de-
cided to take the BOY to Chicago where
the benefit of an X-Ray examination
could be obtained. This was done on
Saturday when the lads head was ex-
posed to an XRay light and two very
good photo plates were secured which
when developed, showed very plainly
the location of two little pellets of lead
just under the top of the skull, embed
ded in the brain. BY taking the expos
ure from two different directions the
positions of the distractions were very
closely defined. With this information,
DR.. Ochner OF the Augustine hospital
undertook surgical operation on Mon
day last in the presence of several inter
ested surgeons. The procedure consist
ed of cutting semicircular piece about
21a inches wide through the skull over
the location determined in the photo
graph. To accomplish this several holes
we're first drilled through the skull
along the line of separation, then with
sharp cutting knife that works much
like can opener, the bone was slit.
This cap was then turned back permit
ting the surgeon to probe the brain for
the little pieces of the bullet which were
found just where the picture indicated
them to be. Further probing revealed
an abscess in the brain near where the
original wound was made over the eye.
This was carefully removed and cleaned,
a drainage inserted and the cap pressed
back to position, the skin stitched, and
the operation was completed.
The operation was a most trying one
to the young lad and the result for some
hours thereafter very much in doubt,
but he has rallied from the shock and
the latest information received from the
hospital is that his condition is most fav-
orable and hopes are entertained for
rapid recovery. He has exhibited most
wonderful nerve during all his trouble
aud bravely suffered good deal of pain.
A most remarkable thing about the case
is that after carrying pieces of lead in
the brain for so many weeks he has at
no time been unconscious or exhibited
symptoms of brain affection. His recov-
cry will certainly be due to the accom-
plishments of modern surgery.