The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-31
FORMER LOCAL.
 PHYSICIAN HAS FRACTURED NECK Dr. John IT. Carroll In St. Vincent's Hospital Suffer
 ing From Rare Injury FALLFROM TROLLEY
 STEP CAUSED BREAK Spinal Column Broken, Yet Spinal Cord So Far Has
 Not Been Affected

Suffering with fractured neck or the type seldom recorded in surgical annals, Dr. John H. Carroll, a former well known local physician, lies on cot at St. Vincent's hospital in an ex- tension position facing an almost cer-l tain and speedy death, if he but moves. Practically his only hope lies in absolute quiet, surgical statistics showing that operative methods in this type of fracture result in a rnor- tality ratio of nearly 75 per cent. His injuries resulted from a fall. at the time of seemingly minor conse- quences, from a slippery trolley car step Tuesday. on Main street just be- low State street. Believed to be suf- fering from only shock and bruises, he was taken to the hospital for ob- servation.
 The serious nature of his injuries were determined yesterday following a thorough examination by Dr. Geo. w Hawley. He is under the almost constant supervision of Dr. J. P. Deery, housesurgeon, and nurses while local surgeons are much inter ested in the case on account of it's rarity. Surgical authorities record but 9 limited number of this type of fracture since a record of spinal sur gerry was inaugurated.
 The type is known surgica11y as a fracture of the ceryicodorsa1 vertebra and differs from the common frac- ture of the neck in that the spinal cord is not initially severed or crush ed. The segments of the vertebra come together in such a manner that the spinal cord is not affected and paralysis of the lower parts of. the body does not result at least not at first. AS a result of the paralysis being lacking the nature of the in juries is somewhat obscured and only indicated after thorough examination. Surgeons say that this type of frac- ture is even more dangerous than the common type and of extreme rarity
 Practically the only cure is keep ing the patient absolutely duiet and allow the fractured bones to knit There has to be constant supervision as a sudden move is liable to result in the bones moving, crushing the spinal. cord and making an operation immediately imperative. The opera ton is only as a last resort, with chances greatly against recovery
 When treatment is successful the patient must be kept quiet for six weeks or two months, a plaster cast being applied later. When able to he about without danger sort of har- ness supporting the neck and head has to be worn for several years, or permanently. There is said to be lit tie chance for 9 complete cure. Stan dard surgical works attest the rare occurrence of this type of fracture. but a comparatively few eases having been reported.
 At the time of the accident and following his admission to the hos pital, the hospital surgeons did not diagnose his injuries as serious La ter, severe pains in head and neck re- suited in thorough examination.
 pr. Carroll gave his address to the ambulance surgeon as Ho1lister ave nue but is listed in the city directory as living at 1O7 Madison avenue Col leagues report that he obtained his medical education in Baltimore and has been in practice about Is years in Bridgeport, Stamford and Green wich. At one time he is reported as having an office in the house on the site of the StratfieId hotel. Since coming to Bridgeport he has not been in active practice. He is about 4S years old