The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1917-08-16
RACE AGAINST DEATH
SAVES FARMERS LIFE
Edward Oman, With Neck, DislOcated Totally
Paralyized Lives Again" A Race For
:. Two Lives.
A Mad Dash in an Auto.

"Uf the man with the broken neck. D
EVERYBODY knew of the case
FER BODY was interested. We made
this mad dash of 40 miles in one
hour and 10 minutes.
n We arrived at the home about A p
m.
Now for the case.
Ed Oman was driving a team with
a wagon and a cultivaor behind. The
lines became loose, they got up be-
tween the horses and Ed Oman walk
ed down on the wagon tongue to get
them. 1t is not known whether the
horses became frightened or wheth-
er Ed slipped but he was later pick
ed up from the road unconscious. He
lay flat on his back.
He was taken to a doctors office
where different abrasions of the skin
were sewed. He was then taken to
his home and put in bed. 1t was now
noticed that he was paralyzed to mo-
ton and feeling from the neck
down. The diagnosis of "a broken
neck" was natural under the circum-
stances. Everybody was given strict
injunction to not even jar the floor
nor to permit the patient to move
head, hand nor foot-to do so meant
| INSTANT death.
"a Hours to Live.
Ed Oman was given "a hours to
live. We arrived on, the 22nd hour
of life hours from death-as the
physicians believed it. There had
had been consultation Of physicians
from a radius of 60 miles around
some II all told, / understand. All
agreed as to diagnosis and prognosis.
Nothing could be done but let him
lay in bed, absolutely still, until death
should him part.
Fracture, Dislocation or Sublux alton ?
If it had been a cervical dislo-
cation or fracture, that prognosis
would have been true. Was it true?
This was what was called to deter
mine. Had it been true, l would
have need of DR.. Edwards.
Our attention was called to print
(skiagraph) taken from radio
graph. The print was POOR, MOTH
ING could be discerned by study of
J it. We asked for the Photograph it.
self. We were told that instructions
had been issued 'to let no person see
it under any circumstances" We
regretted this extremely, for any
thing which would have done this
case any good should have been
done.
Was There Crepitus?
If it were dislocated or fractured
there would be crepius. If there
was no crepitus it would be bad GER
vical subluXation with cord pressure.
In one instance surgeon would be
needed, in the other Chiropractor.
Practically Dead.
Ed Oman lay on his back, he had
not moved muscle. His nurse was
Instructed to not let US do so. When
we suggested turning him over to ct
+better to his neck, Mrs. Oman (who
was also a trained-nurse) objected
strenously and said he would die
naturally first. 1t was turn around
and come home or do something.
We took the case in our hands. We
removed the pillow from under the
head. We gradually began to work
fully for crepitus. We detected NONE
after over one hour of study of the
neck We decided two solicitations
existed, viz: axis. and 4th cervical.
Before we arrived. Ed could not
move his head in any direction His
Jaw was set. His arms were cold,
lifeless and no feeling. AS best we
could, without turning the case over
on his stomach, we adjusted the axis
and 4th cervical which were both
badly subluxated, and let it rest at
that. Within few minutes the cit
tie boy" and the "big boy" were glad
to note that he could and did. of HIS
volition, move his head in all direc-
tions-from side to side, UP and
down-and he moved his jaw in talk
ing and eating. His arms became
warm and he could feel in them both.
This within hours. .
Fractured Ribs Foundl
Even as our case lay on the bed,
uncovered, any superficial evamina-
ton should have proved featured
ribs. For some reason unknown, the
local physician who had the case had
never noticed that ANY rib was frac-
tured. 1t didn't take DR.. Edwards
but a few minutes to decide that
ALL the right ribs were fractured
from the sternum, crepitus being
plainly noticeable. Up till this point
was determined, the real facts of the
accident were unknown, now it be-
came clear that one or more wheels
had run over his body.
AS we could not stay on the case
for an extended period of time
we advised that the case be now NOV,
ed from where he was over to the
town of Gothenburg so he could be
take adjustments daily of DR.. Sling.
. huff until such time as he was we'll
for there is no doubt in our minds OF
such conclusion.
} Everybody Afraid.
FEAR was the biggest pathology
: needing adjusting not only in the
} case itself but the nurse, friends, wife
relatives and everybody else thai
: swarmed around the house to know
what we were going to do. FEAR
: Of it being what it wasn't. FEAR Of
} the physician not knowing about sub
: luxations hence calling it dislocatior
would have let this man lay in bee
r and die. =
= The Fear frightened.
. We adjusted THE FEAR by show
ing them it wasn't the thing they tho
it was, This man will live. While i
! was an expensive trip yet LIFE of {
dear one is cheap at any time. Hat
; we not made this trip, the case woult