The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-17

Georgetown University Hospital has
scored another surgical victory.
Recently Or. George Tully Vaughan
head of the surgical department of the
university hospital performed an opera
/ ton which, while not unknown to sur
gerry, is seldom resorted 10, and then only
in exereme cases. Eminent surgeons say
that there are nine chances to one against
the success Of the operation, and for that
reason. and the reason that only the most
skilled surgeons dare attempt It. the op-
Grafton Is seldom performed.
Dr. Vaughan had for his patient Willie
Byrne. twelve years old, who for the last
ten years has been subject TO epilepsy
/ The attacks became more frequent and
violent as the boy advanced In years,
and his father. Dr. =. J. Byrne. who is
medical examiner in the Pension Blu
reau and a classmate Of DR.. Vaughan
at Bellevue Hospital. New York. where
they took post graduate course. decided
10 submit the case to Dr. Vaughan. AT
| er a careful diagnosis OF the case. DR..
Vaughan decided 10 perform the opera
| ton to relieve a pressure on the boys
brain. The operation consisted Of cut
ting large semi-circle through the skull
just above the left ear, the turning back
OF the severed skull. and the removal OF
the pressure which caused epilepsy.
Portion Of Brain Exposed.
| The operation was most delicate and
daring. exposing as 1t did a large portion
/ - tha 1>-ot, Not ,rr,- 4FT tI,a oDoratfon
require dellcacy. the steadiest OF nerves.
coupled with heroic surgical daring. but
| It consumed an unusual length OF time
/ But with all tho dangers and handicaps
| that confronted the eminent surgeon. he
successfully performed the operation and
the patient. after long and careful nurs-
ing is assured that he Will. in a short
time. be restored to normal physical
condition.
! AS a result OF the first operation on
/ the left side OF the skull, paralysis at
/ tackled the right arm and that limb final
! ly became useless. To relieve this con-
/ dition. DR.. Vaughan determined 20 sub
/ ject his patient 20 another operation
/ which required the reopening OF the
original cutting OF the skull When the
/ second operation had been completed.
/ the little fellow, who is not possessed Of
/ a robust physique showed signs OF rally
/ ing. and in a short time the paralyzed
arm was in a normal condition and as
/ useful as ever.
/ Physicians and surgeons who have seen
/ the patient and who know the condition
/ he was IA previous 10 the first operation,
say that the final success OF the treat
ment is assured and will add new laurels
J TO the fame and skill of Or. Vaughan and
! the reputation OF the hospital
/ While the patient has been discharged
I from the hospital and Is now with his
parents az the family home. "a y street
I northwest, II is necessary for him 20 go
| 20 the hospital daily 70 have the wound
/ treated, which has not completely healed
When Willie was two years old, he suf-
/ fered a severe attack OF diphtheria. which
| left him a sufferer from epilepsy. which
/ grew worse In its severity and more fire.
Quent as he became older.
All through his long suffering In the
| hospital Willie. the nurses say, has never
complained When he had sufficiently
recovered from the first operations. while
the hospital attendants, acting under
order Of DR.. Vaughan. would not per
nit him 20 read. he spent the long hours
| OF the days playing solitaire. at which
he became an expert.