BACK TO LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8062, 1 October 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

BACK TO LIFE.

MORPHINE SAID TO BE NOT NECESSARILY FATAL.

One of the most remarkable operations in medical history was performed at Buffalo, United States recently, resulting in bringing a supposed dead man back to life, or as near such a thing as can be done by human power, Indeed, the doctors had obtained points for the death certificate, sent for the minister, bad in fact made all the arrangements in such an event except seeing the undertaker, when it was resolved to try a desperate remedy, which resulted successfully. Patrick Burns, a book-keeper for a firm in Carroll-xtreet, took anoverdose of opium at hi* home, 49, Morganstreet, the other night. Towards evening he seemed to be breathing with much difficulty, and Dr. George Fell was sent for. Tne man was practically dead, when it was decided to open the windpipe, insert a tube, and to keep up artificial respiration. The operation was performed by Dr. Fell, with the assistance of Drs. F. R. Campbell and L, D. Michael. At noon the man was still alive, and in a much improved, though critical condition. Burns had been drinking heavily during the last few days, and when taking hiu usual dose of opium made a mistake and took too much. During the afternoon he recovered consciousness, recognised his friends, and became able to ask for what he wanted. If the operation could have been performed sooner there would have been no doubt about his recovery, but Dr. Fell was not called till the patient had been unconscious for a couple of hours. This is the first time the experiment of opening the trachea and pumping air into it from a tube connected with a bellows has over been tried, and will cause a revolution in the treatment of cases of opium poisoning. "He was about gone," said Dr. Campbell, "when Dr. Fell thought of using the bellows by which animals are kept alive during vivi'section. We made an insertion in the trachea, introduced a tube, and then used the j bellows. The effects were noticed at once, J and he began to revive. At 2 o'clock he wai out of danger. This is the first operation of the kind, we believe," "Then, if this treatment is followed, morphine poisoning will not be fatal ?" "That is what. Dr. Fell and X think,"

" And what is the theory V "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.