The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-12-03
Watched Removal of Appendix,
but Felt No Pain from
Operation.
4 new LOCAL ANAESTHETlC
J taircd Full Consciousness and
Watched Surgeon Cut His Flesh
without the Least Discomfort
Lost Feeling in Body from Ribs
Downward.

london. England.-Sorious opera
tons performed urcI q patient who
retains full consciousness and
watehc1 the surgeon carving his
flesh without the least discomfort
are now said to be possible by means
Of new local anaesthetic. pin
prick that accompanies the lumbar
puncture" is all the pain. The
patient is enabled to witness the
saving off of both legs. If need be,
without winking an eyelash. Per-
hsps most patients would rather not
see such things and would prefer un-
consciousness, but IL is possible for
them TO remain conscious and look
the other way or have screen in
terposed between their eyes and the
seat OF operation
"They wheeled ne into the cperat-
ins theatre on a Ions harrow" says
patient. who experienced the local
suaesth9ei9. ~ Gog't thist Looked
frightened They made me ST; on
the operating table, With NY Ices
hanging over the side. and then ho.
gan vigorously s,rd55rg the skin
over the small Of my back.
Now said the surgeon, Just a
single prick and il 5 all over.
Ny heart went off like a slcaga
hammer at that. but | bit my lips
and waited. The prick came-a
mere pin scratch-and | breathcd
again | understood they were in
jecting something into my backbone,
but the operation, whatever it was,
lasted only a moment. Then the
most extraordinary thing happened.
Suddenly | lost every trace of feel
ing in my body from my ribs down
ward. II is a feeling which Is quite
indescribable, but it was exceedingly
pleasant. The house surgeon asked
me at this point If would like some
wool put into my ears to prevent me
''ating what was said, but refused
5. as also the offer of a screen be-
zen my face and the seat of opera
..ln. They demurred a little over
latter. but at last consented. I
that IL saw everything | would
= ne less about II.
Are you ready?' asked Mr.. Y,
treating me to a curious smile.
Quite l said.
Knife. then, sister
Il was too excited to feel particu-
larry frightened but when | saw the
blade actually in contact with the
flesh. and that flesh my own, | con-
fess that 1t made me draw my
breath. A little red line followed the
course of the knife across the skin,
and I realized with curious sense Of
mingled unreality and satisfaction
that the operation proper had begun,
and that It was absolutely free from |
pain Of any sort. | must have |
laughed aloud so great was my re-
tsef. for Mr.. Y. looked up sharply |
and asked me If l fell anything. |
Nothing at ALL. said I. If didn't |
see II, | wouldn't believe that It was |
4 whom you were cutting up. After |
that We kept up running FIRE Of re- |
marks. Now absolutely at my ease, |
j watched him open gradually down |
through skin and muscles toward |
that troublesome little appendix OF !
mine. ! saw the appendix after It |
Was found and felt malicious pleas
ure In watching II tied OFF and cut |
away.
Goodby and good riddance'
said.
Mr., Y. laughed heartily and |
asked me to tell him exactly Low / |
felt.
I feel as If the only things ]
wanted on earth were cup of tea
and cigar
They fetched the tea on a little |
tray. The cigar left nothing to be |
desired | was so delighted with |
everything that when had seen the |
last stitch inserted could have
jumped off the table and danced a Jig
around the theatre"
The patient was able TO read the
newspapers and talk to his wife the
same afternoon and he soon recov-
cred. The only disadvantage of tho
lumbar puncture is that it cannot be
used for an operation above the low
est rib.
sports A DISEASE"