Marshall County Democrat

Surgical aid.

Dr. Vinall, of this place, Homeopathic physician, aided by Dr. Loomis, of La Porte, performed an operation upon G. C. Lawson, son, of this county, last Monday, which has made no little talk. Many years since, Lawson had the thigh-bone broken just above the knee, and it adhered with the bones considerably lapped. Last winter it was broken again in the same place, and never united, and he had no use of the leg, although there were no external symptoms of injury, except a crooked leg, from the lap of the bones. Dr. V. cut open the leg, and took off a small portion of the bone, set it in a proper manner, and so far Mr. Lawson is doing well. On reaching the bone, the deposition of osseous matter had proceeded until the end of the lower piece of the bone had increased nearly one inch in length, while on the end of the upper portion, the deposit had formed on the under side, and a strong cartilaginous formation with the muscles had taken place.

We are no surgeon, and know but little about it; but we were present and saw the operation. No effect could be produced upon Mr. Lawson by chloroform or ether, and after several long and ineffectual efforts to get him under its influence, he was operated on without it, and bore it like a man of true courage, as he is. Dr. Vinall performed the operation. He was cool, and seemed to work handy and as gently as it was possible to do. He made no false motions, no mangling or hacking—every motion was at the right place, in the right time, and accomplished what was intended without a second effort. So far as we are able to judge, it was done up in a skillful, workmanlike manner, and with as little pain to the subject as could be expected. Dr. V. not being known as a Surgeon, and being a Homeopathist, of course a vast deal is said, and persons who know nothing of him, or the operation, express an opinion as ready as it is absurd, and utter statements for facts, as uncalled for as they are untrue. For instance—that he tore off the end of an artery several times in attempting to take it up and tie it. That he cut several gashes hap-hazard, and mangled the leg horribly, &c., &c.—we know it to be all false. There was no gashes made. The incision was made to the spot, and with one stroke of the knife; and every other motion seemed to be easily and properly done.

We know nothing of Dr. V's merits as a Surgeon, nor the propriety of his operation; but we do know that in this thing he has been miserably misrepresented, and that envy and slander have all the say, without knowing anything about it. Give honor to whom honor is due, don't be so bigoted as to suppose the prejudice of ages precludes the acquisition of skill by every one unless the victim of that prejudice.