WONDERS OF SURGERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19123, 7 December 1933, Page 12

WONDERS OF SURGERY.

broken spine cured

FARMER’S HUNTING ACCIDENT,

RESTORED TO COMPLETE HEALTH

A remarkable Illustration of the wonders of modern surgery is contained in the case of a well-known farmer of the Dannevirke district, who fractured ills spine In a hunting accident 18 months ago, and who is now completely restored to health. The farmer (Mr R. L. Hughes, of Tiratu), who was one of the most prominent members of the Dannevirke Hunt Club, met with his accident in June, 1932.

During an interruption in the day's hunting he consented to ride a strange mount, which had not previously been tested, over a number of fences, and in negotiating the first obstacle the horse fell, throwing the rider to the ground and tumbling on top of him. Mr Hughes’ spine was snapped by the weight of the horse, and, although given up as dead, he was removed to the Dannevirke Hospital. ■After an X-ray examination if was found Liiat Hie vertebra was shattered ■but the spinal cord was not wholly severed. When Hie injured man regained consciousness some days inter it was found Hint lie was almost completely paralysed, lie was placed in a plaster jacket and remained in u rigid position for six months. During that time lie gradually regained the use first of a foot and then of the whole limb, until eventually he was discharged from the hospital on December 31.

Although it was expected that his back would he permanently weakened by the injury, he was soon able to go about his farm duties, and he was a successful competitor at the Dannevirke Sheep Dog Trials in February. Since then he has engaged in heavier work, and this month put up the very satisfactory performance of shearing’an average of 108 sheep a day during the shearing season. While Mr Hughes attributes his recovery entirely to the prompt and skilful rare given him toy the doctors at the Dannevirke, Hospital, his own fori Undo and perseverance must lie, reckoned as having played a largo part in a cure which is lit tic short of miraculous.