Wednesday, August 20, 2014

DOCTOR GEORGE FELL PERFORMS TRACHEOSTOMY ON PATIENT AT BUFFALO, NEW YORK, JULY 23, 1887



The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 29, 1887.
PATIENT BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.
A Remarkable Surgical Operation Performed in Buffalo.

   BUFFALO, N. Y., July 23, 1887.--One of the most remarkable operations in medical history was performed here to-day, resulting in bringing an apparently dead man back to life or as near as such a thing can be done by human power. Indeed the doctors had obtained points for the death certificate, sent for the minister, had in fact made all the arrangements in such an event, except seeing the undertaker, when it was resolved to try a desperate remedy. To-night the patient is out of danger.

   Patrick Burns, a bookkeeper for a firm on Carroll street, took an overdose of opium at his home, 49 Morgan street, last night. Toward evening he seemed to be breathing with much difficulty, and Dr. George Fell was sent for. The man was practically dead when it was decided to open the windpipe, insert a tube, and keep up artificial respiration. The operation was performed by Dr. Fell, with the assistance of Drs. F. R. Campbell and L. D. McMichael. At noon the man was still alive and in much improved, though critical condition.

   Burns had been drinking heavily the last few days and when taking his usual dose of opium made a mistake and took too much. During the afternoon the patient recovered consciousness, recognized his friends and was able to ask for what he wanted. If the operation could have been performed sooner there would have been no doubt [of] his recovery, but Dr. Fell was not called until the patient had been unconscious for two hours.

   This is the first time the experiment of tracheae and pumping air into it from a tube connected with a bellows has ever been tried, and will cause a revolution in the treatment of cases with opium poisoning. "He was about gone," said Dr. Campbell, "when Dr. Fell thought of using the bellows by which animals are kept alive during vivisection. We made an insertion of the tracheae, introduced a tube, and then used the bellows. The effect was noticed at once, and he began to revive. At 2 0’clock he was out of danger. This operation was the first of the kind, we believe."

   "Then if this treatment is followed morphine poisoning will not be fatal?"

   "That is what Dr. Fell and I think."

   "And what is the theory?"

   "Simply keeping the lungs filled with oxygen. That is all that is necessary in any case of this character. We think it quite a discovery," modestly concluded the doctor.

I Thought I Would Choke.
[advertisement in Cortland Democrat]
   I had asthma a year, with violent wheezing; could not lie down; thought I would choke. Thanks to Tutt’s Expectorant I am free from these attacks and sleep well at night. Arthur F. McCoy.



Renews Her Youth.

[advertisement in Cortland Democrat]
   Mrs. Vassal Chesley Peterson, Clay Co. Iowa, tells the following remarkable story, the truth of which is vouched for by the residents of the town: "I am 73 years old, have been troubled with kidney complaint and lameness for many years; could not dress myself without help. Now I am free from all pain and soreness and am able to do all my own housework. I owe my thanks to Electric Bitters for having renewed my youth, and removed completely all disease and pain. Try a bottle, 50c, and $1. At Brown a Maybury’s Drug Store.




Dr. George Fell, Critical Care and Resuscitation, December 2007: http://www.cicm.org.au/journal/2007/december/ccr_09_4_1207_377_trubuhovich.pdf
 

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