SURGICAL JOINERY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8994, 3 December 1907, Page 3

SURGICAL JOINERY.

NEW METHOD OF REPAIRING FRACTURED LIMBS. Screws for joining up fractured bones illustrated a remarkable feature of modern surgical science at tr.o Medibal Exhibition, held recently at the Horticultural Hall, ac Westminster. They are common steel screws, ranging in size from a quarter of an inch to three inches, beautifully silver plated. These the modern surgeon uses to screw up fractured bones, and they are left in the patients for life. There is no danger of the fracture becoming displaced, and the limb can be used at the earliest possible moment after the operation. A species of twin tin-tack is N also recommended in "bone carpentry"— two tacks united at the head, which is used to bridge a fracture, and is simply hammered home. The latest iorm of anaesthesia, which leaves the patient conscious, but incapable of feeling pain enables a strong-nerved "case" to calmly watch these new points in surgery as illustrated on his own limbs. This new anaesthesia is due to the discovery of novocain. When injected directly into 'the spinal cord complete paralysis and senselessness ensues. Patients can talk or read while they are being deprived of limbs, a screw over the leg or part operated upon being all that is necessary. A German doctor at Treves invited ihalf a dozen colleagues from LuxenJwoerg to witness an operation. The v patient had been instructed how to play his part, and smoked a cigar and drank from a glass by the side of the operating table. Without a pause the surgeon started right away on his work of removing leg below the knee, and the patient talked cheerfully and filled the room with smoke. "See what we Germans can stand," said the operator to his colleagues, and it was not until it was explained that novocain had been injected into the patient's spine and that he felt absolutely nothing that their amazement vanished.