The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-11
HIS NECK BROKEN
Still E. r. Judd, Rock Island
Agent at Selden, Lives.
Brought to Topeka Where Neck
Is Patched.
HE NAY GET WE'LL.
How the Surgeons Fix a Fract-
ured Vertebrae.
One of Most Delicate Operations
Known to Science.

e. r. Judd, station agent of the Rock
Island at Selden, Sheridan county, was
brought to Christ hospital Saturday af-
ternoon by DR.. D. M. Forbes, suffering
from broken neck. A strange thing
about his case is that he lived nearly a
week in that condition and that there is
a chance that he will recover entirely.
If he does it will be due entirely to mod
ern surgical skill
Patching broken neck is a thing
that would have been laughed at a few
years ago and it requires nerve. and
confidence to undertake the task even
now, for the operation is one of the
most delicate and difficult.
Mr.. Judd was injured in peculiar
manner. He became enraged at a man
| in Selden and called him out of store
to thrash him. The two men clinched
and fell, Judd underneath. Nearby was
a child'S wagon across which was a
two by four timber. Judd struck this
with the back of his neck. His body
was paralyzed by the fall and while
he lay PROSTATE and helpless on the
ground his adversary beat him unIaerci-
fully. His eyes were blackened and
his face was otherwise bruised. When
bystanders tried to assist him to his
feet he was unable to stand and then
it was found that his body was para
lyzed. He remained in this condition
during the greater part of the week and
then DR.. Forbes decided to bring him
to Topeka as a surgical operation was
the only chance, and even that a slight
one, of saving his life.
The operation which was performed
by DR.. w. F. Bowen required over an
hour. A deep cut was made in the
back of the neck until the bone was
reached Then it was found that the
| fifth vertebrae had been crushed and
was pressing on the spinal cord and
| the fourth was also injured. 1t was
this that caused the paralysis. Labor
iously bit by bit the injured bone was
clipped out by the surgeon to relieve
the pressure until the spinal cord was
| left bare. Then it was seen that the
cord itself had not been injured and
this materially increases the chance
| of recovery. The back portion of two OF
the vertebrae was taken out to relieve
any possible pressure and then the
wound was sewed up.
Mr Judd was removed from the op-
| Grating table to his bed and if he re-
covers he will be kept perfectly quiet
on his back for several weeks When
! the wound has healed a plaster cast
will be placed on his head and Shout
ders to hold his neck perfectly rigid
while nature is taking care OF the DAM
aged bone When he leaves the hos
| nital he will be fitted with a device
| which will hold the weight of his head
/ off the neck and the doctors say that
at the end of a year he should be able
to discard this OF course all this is
on the theory that he will recover.
| DR.. J. C. McClintock, who was pres
ent when the operation was performed,
SAYS that out of seven cases of broken
necks and backs that were patched by
him three made complete recoveries.
DR.. Bowen was reluctant about discuss
| ing the case of Mr.. Judd. He simply
| said after the operation that the man
might recover. He says that there was
no hope for him without an operation.
Meanwhile there is man out In
Sheridan county responsible for Mr..
Judds injury who is waiting with con-
siderable anxiety the result OF the op-
Grafton. It might be embarrassing for
him in the event that the station agent
| dies.
The patching of Mr.. Judd's broken
neck was done Sunday forenoon and
the report from the hospital this morn
ing was that his condition is encouF-
aging. He had rallied from the anaes-
| thetic and though in considerable pain
appeared much improved.