The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1908-09-29
REMOVED BRAIN OF
DICKINSON Man
RECOVERY OF JOE LIE CLAIR HAS
BEEN VERY REMARKABLE.
Man Who Was Injured While Attempt
ing to Board a Train, undergoes a
Rare Operation and His Recovery Is
Most unusuaI-DetaiIs of Operation.

Dickinson, N. D., Sept. 29.--The case
Of Joe LeClair. who was the victim
of a serious accident at the depot
a little over three weeks ago, when
his skull was badly crushed, is one
which will become famous in medi-
cal circles. LeClair's recovery is very
remarkable and unusual, and on this
account of much general interest.
AS will be recalled, LeClair was in.
jured while trying to jump onto the
moving engine Of the special train
bringing the troops from the encamp-
ment at Washington, three weeks ago
last Monday. He was thrown outside
the rail and hit on the head by the
journal of the baggage car, and was
picked out from under the car in a
horribly bruised and bleeding con-
dition.
He was unconscious when taken to
the hospital and no hopes were given
of his recovery The skull was badly
crushed in two places, both on the
left side of the head. The larger spot
was just above the ear and the pieces
of the skull were jammed down into
the brain, making a depression of full
ly an inch. The second fracture was
nearer the top of the head, and while
not as large, was as serious a blow,
burying the bone in the substance of
the brain.
Took Out the Bone.
An operation was of course, a nec-
essity and Dr. V. H. Stickney remov-
ed the pieces Of bone, assisted at the
end by DR.. G.. A. Perkins. The oper-
alton in itself, was not an unusual nor
delicate one, but the danger lay in
the fact that the pieces were imbedded
in the brain. Chances of recovery under
these conditions are very rare and the
mans chances were very slim.
large number of pieces of the
skull were removed, varying in size
from small splinters to one piece as
large as a silver dollar and about one
quarter Of an inch in thickness, which
was taken from the hole above the
left ear. So difficult and so serious
was the operation that a portion of
the brain matter had to be removed
to get all the particles.
At the close of the operation the
patient was very low and DR.. Stick
ney dispaired of saving his life. He
lay in an unconscious state for hours
closely watched by the hospital at
tendants to prevent self injury, as the
irritation of the brain caused the man
to throw out his arms continually. For
two days he took no nourishment of
any kind and the end was expected
every minute.
Left no Bad Effects.
At the end of that time the patient
regained consciousness and appeared
to recognize those about him and take
an interest in things. DR.. Stickney
Immediately saw that there was a
change and recovery possible.
LeClair began to mend at once and
now, little more than three weeks af-
ter the accident, is able to be out of
doors.
The most remarkable feature of the
case is that there are comparatively
no bad effects. TIE patient has two
holes in his head, derresslons of over
half an inch in depth, but these are
covered with muscle and skin and are
not visible to the eye. The fact that
the brain was operated on and a part
of 1t removed, does not seem to have
impaired the mans reasoning the least.
He has a little trouble with his speech,
slight hesitancy, and mispronouncia-
tion of words, but DIR. Stickney expects
that this will be gradually overcome.
The operation also left traces of facial
distortion, the left side being badly
twisted but this will also improve in
time. ..- r.- ---.--..-