The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-03-27
BRAIN SUCCESSFULLY TRANSFERRED TO
SKULL OF A Cincinnati REALTY MAN

BALTIMORE. Md, March 27-An
operation that in the history of science
has never had parallel, either in del
icacy or in skill, has been performed
at Johns Hopkins, hospital by DR..
Harvey Gushing. world renowned
brain specialist. and the patient, as a
result. is on the road to recovery, thus
indicating that the operation, which
until a month ago was thought prac-
tically impossible by the best authori-
ties on brain disorders, will prove q
success.
The patient, William Buckner,
prominent deal estate dealer of Gin
cinnati, came to Baltimore November
% last, suffering with a peculiar af-
lection of the brain. For weeks before
his arrival in this city he had been in
state of semi-coma, except at inter-
walls, when he would awaken and seem
well. When it was least expected, he
would wall over and lapse again into
Inconsistencies.
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, abb
sent-mindedly from his office to his
home. On arriving home he seemed
to be in full possession of his facili-
ties, but during the evening meal he
fell from his place at the table to the
floor unconscious. He was revived,
but several days later began to COM
plain of feeling continual drowsiness.
This drowsiness terminated in q CONF
plete state of coma within a few days.
On his arrival here Mr.. Buckner was
placed under the4re of DR.. Gushing.
His case was puzling one, but after
X-ray examinations, during which pho
tographs of the brain were taken, DIR.
Gushing discovered that a portion of
the brain had decayed and frayed It's
sues were causing the healthy sections
to gradually become affected. The
case at that time seemed hopeless, al
thouh Mr.. Buckner seemed in no i'm
mediate danger of death.
IL was evident, however, that if
something was not done it would only
be a matter of time before the entire
brain was destroyed, resulting in
death for the patient. Mrs. Buckner
was informed of the existing condi-
tions just when DR.. Gushing was ready
to give up hope. She pleaded with the
physician, and he at last agreed to
try an experiment in an effor to save
Mr.. Buckner's life.
DR.. Cushing decided to procure the
brain of another patient as soon after
death as possible and to transplant a
portion of it into the skull of Mr.. Buck
ner. The brain had to be healthy and
from as young a person as possible.
The transplanting of the brain and
the procuring of it were too widely diff
ferent things, however, and this was
the difficult yconfronting the physi-
clan when one of his colleagues cas-.
ually mentioned that child born in
ition. Here was the opportunity.
DIR. Gushing hurried to the ward, and
after obtaining permission removed
the brain. Assistants had rushed Mr..
Buckner to the operating room and
prepared him for the ordeal
Then in view of about a score of
professors and students DR.. Cushing
performed his greatest operation. Al
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 heen to pulsate with each
heart beat of the patient.
The diseased portion then was very
CAREFUL severed from the minor brain,
and while DR.. Cushing was severing
the diseased section another surgeon
was transplanting the infants brain.
The major brain was left untouched.
After the transportation the entire
brain was restored to its proper place