Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-13
GRADUATE OF
PRINCETON IS
MINUS SKULL
Brains Covered Only
By Scalp
Was Formerly with the United States
Navy and Sustained Accident on
Transport After the Battle
of Manila Bay

Minus a portion of the skull to pro-
tect his brains, ]. G.. Kronsfield, a for
mer member of the United States navy
who fought under Dewey at the battle
Of Manila, was found on Main street by
the police early yesterday morning un-
able to give any account of himself or
even to remember his name, due to
lapse of memory.
The young man, who is barely 80
years of age, was taken to the receiving
hospital, where he was recognized by
the physicians, having been a patient
at that institution about a year ago.
At that time Kronsfeld was found in
about the same condition he was last
night. He was taken to the hospital
where he was examined and the physi-
clans were surprised to find that his
skull had been cut away in such man
ner as to leave his brains exposed.
When Kronsfield regained conscious
ness and was able to talk, he explained
how he had been injured and how he
had the operation performed.
Falls from Rigging
Last night he told again the same
story, together with the tale of his wan
derings since he was in the hospital
year ago.
After the battle of Manila 1 sailed
for the United States in transport.
he said: when we were about ten days
out 1 was asked to go into the rigging
and repair q broken rope. While on
the cross arm on the vessel heavy
gale arose and the ship was pitched
around like a cork by the waves.
"a sudden lurch cast me from my
position on the cross arm and l was
hurled to the deck unconscious. 1
landed on my head and for twenty-eight
days L did not regain my senses.
when / did l found I was in New
York and physicians in the navy hos
pital there had despaired of saving my
life. 1 had about $1,000 1 had saved
during my service and I decided to
spend this on an operation. l was told
that DR.. Nicholas Scein, the famous
Austrian physician, was the one man
who could perform an operation which
might save my life.
"I at once engaged passage on a
steamer and sailed to Austria. There
/ met DIR. Scein and he agreed to per-
form an operation which he thought
would save me. For three months L
lay in the Austrian hospital endeavor-
ing to regain sufficient strength to stand
the operation. At last the day arrived
and DIR. Scien, in company with sew
eral other surgeons, equally famous,
worked over me with their delicate,
sharp pointed instruments.
Cut Away Skull
"When I again reganed conscious
ness 1 found they had cut the entire
back part of my head away, leaving my
brains exposed l was at that time
told that it was improbable 1 would live
a month, but such tender care was
given me that at last I was ,old I could
leave and that if I took care of myself
l might be all right in time.
81 again returned to the United States
and for two years 1 did not suffer
greatly from my injuries. Then 1 be-
gan to have lapses of memory and since
that time I have frequently found my
self in such condition that have been
unable to give any information in re-
gard to myself.
about one year ago I came to Los
Angeles, thinking the climate would
benefit my health. One day 1 fell on
the street and was brought to this hos
pital. l told of my injury and the ope-
ration and was advised to return to
Austria and see DR.. Scein again. I de-
cided to do so and as soon as l regained
strength started for the old world.
ST met the famous surgeon and he
did all in his power to relieve me. He
advised me in regard to avoiding Geld
weather and instructed me not to wear
was nothing he could do for me and ]
came back to the United States.
Is a Graduate of Princeton
''Last week 1 arrived in Los Angeles
and intended to make my future home
here. ] do not know what to do in
order to make things easier for me, and
can not understand how I am to gain
my living. 1 can do no hard work and
If is impossible for me to think long
on one subject.
81 am a Princeton graduate and my
father is colonel of a regiment now
serving in the Philippines"
According to the physicians at the re-
ceiving hospital Kronsfied's case is one
of the most unusual that ever came
under their notice. They say no other
surgeon than DR.. Scein would under
take such an operation, as nine out of
ten it would mean sure death for the
patient.