Evening star., 1935-03-05
'ALYCE M''HENRY'S
STRENGTH GROWS
Girl Whose Stomach Was
Inverted Has Not Yet
Won Fight. . /
BY HOWARD w. BLAKESLEE,
Associated Press Science Editor.

Associated Press Science Editor.
FALL RIVER. Mass. March 81
The fighting spark Of life in Alyce
Jane McHenry vas little stronger
this forenoon, nearly "a hours after
her operation for an upside-down
stomach. The outcome was officially
given at the Truesdale Hospital as in
doubt, bat with no complications yet
appearing and a "fair chance" for the
brave youngster.
Intense pain keeping her from
sleeping until after 2 am. Her pain
was mainly the usual after-affects Of
a major operation, but worse than the
average.
1t was planned to give her q blood
TRANSMISSION this forenoon, not as an
emergency measure, but because she
is anemic from a long enforced diet
Of scanty food and little water. But
the TRANSMISSION was called of when
examination indicated that continued
quiet, with her own constitution put
ting up the major battle, was best
for the present.
Asks for Milk.
She called for milk this morning
which was considered good sign.
She also for the first time since the
operation retained the water she was
allowed to sip.
The taking of water and milk and
other liquids in small quantities Is one
of the early awaited signs that the
digestive organs which were moved
out of her chest yesterday and placed
where they belong, are going to func-
ton and pull her through.
One complication closely watched
is the possibility of plellrisy. an un-
avoidable risk when an operation dis
turbs so much of the delicate mem
brane lining Of the chest cavity.
The hospital physician says it Is
likely to be several days before all
the uncertainties are cleared UP.
Her mother was with her and those
who saw Mrs. McHenry in the corri-
dors of the hospital said she looked
happier than at any time previously
since the operation.
Watchers Cheer Girl.
Whispers were repeatedly heard in
the operating room. as the chief
surgeon performed his delicate tasks.
"Bully!" was one spoken fervently
That's splendid" was another.
All were heartfelt cheers 70. the
chief surgeon as one after another
knotty mix-up or vital organs un-
tangled under his swiftly moving
fingers
Virtually all Alyce's digestive organs
were up in her chest where her left
lung should be. The lung. too. was
there. collapsed under the pressure.
Stomach, inteStines, large and small,
spleen and appendix were in the chest.
1t was the appendix that forced a
change in plans Of the operation after
her chest was opened DR.. Philemon
E. Truesdale, chief surgeon in the
operation, had expected to let the
organs move slowly and gently down
from the chest to the almost empty
abdomen.
May Adjust Itself.
They were born In the wrong place.
There might not be room enough for
them in the abdomen, but If the
change could be made slowly the abb
domen would adjust
The appendix, however, was up near
her heart level instead OF down near
her right hip bone. To save her life,
the whole change had to be made in
a single operation.
Dr. Truesdale had to free adhesions.
tissues, which fastened the misplaced
organs to chest wall, and even to her
heart covering.
AS each difficult step was made
without a slip. the barely breathed
cheers ran through the operating
room. The famous upside down
stomach itself was one Of the first to
get started down. It was tight up
under Alyce's left shoulder.
One of the last and most difdcult
feats was to sew up the diaphragm, in
which DR.. Truesdale had made an
opening S inches long and across in
order to let the lost digestive organs
pass down from the chest cavity.
The diaphragm is dome shaped.
Sewing up the cut was like trying to
sew the slaves onto the head OF q bar
rel.
Although the operation cost Alyce
four ribs, the medical observers said
there would be little or no cosmetic
effects to mar her shapely develop