ELECTROMAGNETS IN THE SURGERY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1747, 30 August 1905, Page 10

ELECTROMAGNETS IN THE SURGERY

A writer in the “Scientific American” describes a large electromagnet constructed by him for uses which, save in respect of optical work, appears to be novel. It occurred to Dr F. M. Wilson, of the Bridgeport Hospital, Conn., that the practice of oculists in using magnets for extracting particles of steel or iron from the eyes might be greatly extended. At his request the author of the article in question designed an electromagnet with a core 4ft long and 6in in diameter, insulated with special cartridge paper. A current of 30 amperes at 110 volts has in general been found the most suitable. O i ' , e end of the magnet is placed in proximity to the pa. of the body affected, when, as the author naively expresses it, “the presence of the piece of steel or iron will be immediately felt by the patient, because of the magnet’s attraction.” . Some remarkable instances of treatment by this method are given, amongst which maybe noted a case in which a piece of a ham-mer-head had been driven into the muscles of the upper arm, and another in which a piece of a chisel bad become embedded in the forearm. The surgeons advised no operation, trusting that the pieces would work out of themselves; but, instead of this, the wound festered so the magnet was tried. The result was completely successful, the pieces immediately appearing on the magnet. Similar success attended the extraction of a chip of steel that had been, embedded in the palm of a man’s hand for one. and a half years, another piece of steel that had beep in the hack of the hand for seven years, and a broken sewing needle that had caused much paiiii. In all these cases the particles appear to have made ’their exit through the channel by which they entered, and without any surgical operation. The physician has often been aided by electrotherapeutics, and it looks as though magnetism is coming to the assistance of the surgeon. ' Especially in military hospitals should the new method be of value, in order to remove pieces of shell and steel bullets.