The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1912-03-26
BROKERS' Prayed
BRAIN REPLACED
WITH A BABY'S
WEALTHY PATIENT is RECOVER
ING FROM RAREST OPERATION
IN JOHNS HOPKINS
HOSPITAL.
TRANSPLANTED TISSUE
ENDS STRANGE COMA
Child That Died From hamilton Pro-
vides Cells For Replacing of
Worn Out Material.

| brain of a new born baby substituted
for a portion of his own, William
Buckner. wealthy real estate brok-
er and operator of Cincinnati, is re-
covering from the rarest operation
ever performed in the Johns Hopkins
Hospital. DR.. Harvey Cushing, through
whose skill the worn out brain cells
of tired business man were removed
and fresh tissue transplanted, is
and declares he will live.
The transplanting of the brain of
the baby was accomplished in a very
few moments after the child had been
born. When it died of hamilton per-
mission was obtained for the opera
ton, and Mr.. Buckner, who for
months had been in a state of semi
coma, was put on the road to health.
This is the first time an operation
of the character has been successfully
performed. The idea that it was pos
sible has been bitterly contested by
many brain specialists.
Patient Frequently in Coma.
Mr.. Buckner came to Baltimore
November % last. For weeks before
q
coma, except at intervals, when he
would awaken and seem well. When
1t was least expected he would fall
over and again lapse into unconscious
ness
The disease asserted itself about
seven months ago when Mr.. Buckner
was making deal with one Of his
customers. He brought the converse
ton to an abrupt end and walked alb
sentrnindedly tr.m his office to his
home. On arriving home he seemed
in full possession or Is faculties, but
his place at the table to the floor un-
conscious. He was revived, but sew
eraI days later began to complain of
feeling a continual drowsiness. This
drowsiness terminated in complete
state of coma within a few days.
On his arrival here Mr.. Buckner,
was placed under the care Of DR..
Cushing. His case was a puzzling
one, and after x-ray examinations
during which photographs of the
brain were taken, DR.. Gushing discov-
cred that portion of the brain had
ing the healthy sections to gradually
become affected. The case at that
time seemed hopeless, although Mr..
Buckner seemed in no immediate
danger of death.
Yielded to Wife's Pleading.
1t was evident, however, that If
something was not done it would only
be matter of time before the entire
brain be destroyed, resulting in death
for the patient. Mrs. Buckner was
informed Of the existing conditions
just when DR.. Gushing was ready to
give up nope. She pleaded with the
physician and he at last agreed to
try an experiment in an effort to save
Mr.. Buckner's life.
brain OF another patient as soon af-
ter death as possible and to trans
plant a portion of 1t to the skull of
Mr.. Buckner. The brain had to be
healthy and from as young a person
as possible. The transplanting of the
two widely different things, however,
and this was the difficulty confront
ing the physician when one of his
colleagues casually mentioned that a
child born in one of the wards had
just died of hamilton.
Here was the opportunity. DR..
Cushing hurried to the ward and af-
ter obtaining permission. removed the
brain. Assistants had rushed Mr..
Buckner to the operating room and
him for the ordeal.
Colleagues Watch Operation.
Then In view of about score OF
professors and students. DR.. Gushing
performed his greatest operation. At
ter administering the anaesthetic, he
removed the back of Mr.. Buckner's
skull and with great care took out
the entire brain, which was placed on
a piece of linen beside the head, and
could be seen to pulsate with each
heartbeat of the patient. The dis |
eased portion was then very carefully |
severed from the minor brain, and |
while DIR. Cushing was severing the !
section another surgeon was
the infants brain, The |
major brain was left untouched. At |
ter the transportation the entire |
brain was restored to it's proper place |
anG the section of the skull which |
had been cut out was replaced.
Mr.. Buckner stood the operation
well and a week ago it |
was thought that he was well enough |
to leave the institution. With his |
wife at his side, he was removed to |
the home Of relatives in Charlottes- |
vile. Va. but several days ago his !
condition became grave and he was |
sent back to the Johns Hopkins Hos
pital. DR.. Gushing yesterday replant- |
ed the tissues of the newly inserted |
member and late last night Mr. Buck
ner was saio to be considerably I'm
proved.