IN THE OPERATING THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 42

IN THE OPERATING THEATRE.

It was not without a certain vague feeling of dread that I entered the operating theatre of ore of the largest hospitals in London. I had heard such accounts of the horrors of watching an operation performed, that I was quite prepared to swoon away as soon as I set foot in the precincts of that tembla apartment, where so many sufferers have been cured of their pains by the aid of modern science.

But instead of the gruesome-looking placa I had expected, I was relieved to find myself in a light, cheery room, painted a faint bluey-grey. Overhead was a large skylight, whilst several windows also admitted light and air.

The greater portion of the room was occupied by a semi-circular tier of seats, ranging almo3t to the roof. In front of each row of seats was a stout iron-rail about breast high, on which one could lean when watching an operation. The spaca between thase seats and the opposite wall ia the " ttage." At the back of this stage is a recess with two doors opening cfi: it. Ringed against the wall on one side of the rrcess is a long shelf, fitted with conveniences for boiling water.and a number of shining metal and glass instruments of service in the operations. Oa the other side is a lavatory bancb, where those taking part can wash their hands, and where dressings and the like are prepared. Besides these things I noticed on the stage one or two movable tables with peculiar-looking vessels on them. As the students were now beginning to pour into the theatre, I took possession of the front S9»,t. Presently several assistants came in, and began busying themselves on the stage. Oae heated up a little miniature boi'er, in which all the instruments to be used are sterilised of germs. Another put different things, such aa a tabla, chairs, basins wilh dilute antiseptics in them, handy for the operator. A nurse began preparing dressings, and winding up different kinds of bandages. The operator and the houpe surgeon soon entered, and, aEter well washing their hands, put on indiarubber aprons, covering them from the head almost to the feet, having fir^t divested themselves of their coats. The operator then said a few words, explaining the nature of the case which he was about to deal with. It was one of very persistent disease of the leg -bone, just above the knee, iv a girl of about 21 years of aga. The limb had been performed on previously, but he was anxious to see if he could not excise more of the decaying bone. As he was concluding, there was a slight rumbling sound in the recess, and, looking up, I saw the patient under the influence of ether being wheeled in on an operating table. The was brought right up to where I was sitting. The operating table is a very high table composed of a number of sections, which can be raised or inclined at any angle independently of one another, so that the subject can be supported in any desired position. It is mounted on wheels, and ihs person on it can in this way be conveyed straight back to his or her bed without being disturbed afteranoperatioc By the head of the girl as she was brought in walked an assistant holding the indiarubber ether bag to her mouth. She was lying on her back, co\ered by a counterpane, and looked rather blue in the face from the effects of the aesthetic. The moment the table was ia its place a dozen little duties were "performed as if by magic. There was no fussing or scrimmagingTyet everything was done with an almost incredible rapidity. Ia less time than it takes to say it the nurse had removed the counterpane, a dresser had adjusted a pillow so as to support the afflicted limb, another had removed the instruments from the steriliser, and placed them in a glass basin of dilute antiseptic beside the operator, who had taken up his position on the right-hand side of his patient, with the house-surgeon facing hia\ In the same quick way the leg was laid bare, and the bandages removed with a single cut of the scissors, and the operation proper commenced. Then the operator forced open a longshaped incision ia the side of the leg, and sought about inside it for the decaying portion of the bone. Having found it he inserted first one instrument and then another, diligently cutting and scraping the while. Next he opened in the same way the corresponding hole on the otnsr side 6f the leg^ thus forming a tunnel right through the limb. After having in the course of about 12 minutes got out all the afftcted bone he could, the leg was dressed. The patient was then wheeled out.

The whole thing was executed ia such a quiet, subdued manner, and with such promptness, that I never for a moment experienced any oE the qaalms which I had been warned were the inevitable attendants of one's first operation. I only felt a»xiou3 that the poor girl might be successfully relieved of her terrible affliction.

No sooner was this case c included than the preparations for the next were commenced, and carried out in the same way. The operation to be performed was very similar to the last in some respects, though it was, in reality, an exploration to discover the cause of a joint ailment. Here, however, the knife was freely used, as it was a firat operation on the subject, and so there were no pre-existing incisions that could be opened. At one period the ether was rather too much for the patient, and she tamed a purple colour about the face. Her tongue was held down with a little silver instrument for that purposo, to prevent its choking her, until she had recovered a little. At the end of the operation tha wound was sewn up, after which it was scarcely visible. It was then dressed, and the patient was ■wheeled away to her ward. As it was late, and several of the students were beginning to leave, I also took my departure. On my way out I saw a little mite of a child in the ante-room off therec3FS waiting his turn. He was just having the ether administered, to him on the operating

table as I passed through, and I could not help being struck with the sadness and pathos of the scene. That poor little thing, beginning its life with pain and suffering, lying there only half conscious, and not old enough to realise what was about to take place, without the slightest fear on its small face of that dread room, a glimpse of which could just be caught through the open door. What a subject for one of the modern realistic painters of shild life I— .Loud Mountmobres, in Answers.