Litchfield Enquirer

SINGULAR ACCIDENT AND EXTRAORDINARY OPERATION.—Some days since, while a young lady, daughter of one of our opulent citizens, was endeavoring to pick out a knot in a thread with a cambrick needle, the needle suddenly broke in two pieces, and the pointed half was sent with great force into her eye, where it penetrated to a considerable depth. The dreadful pain in consequence can be better conceived than described. Physicians were immediately sent for, and after trying in vain gave up the attempt to extricate the needle, which had forced itself through the external coat of the eye. Dr. Scudder the ingenious occulist was finally sent for, but not until fears were entertained that the needle would penetrate into the brain and cause death, which in all probability would have been the case. The Doctor was given to understand that the eye was considered as lost, and that the only hopes of the lady's parents were, that the needle could be extricated, and the life of their only daughter saved. Dr. Scudder immediately proceeded to an examination and at once pronounced that he could extricate the needle and preserve the eye. He ordered an anodyne; and when the patient was comparatively easy from its effects, made a small incision with a delicate operating knife; then by means of a powerful magnet, he drew the needle so near the surface as to grasp it with a pair of "magnetised tenaculum forceps," and as quick as thought, the needle was in the palm of his hand. By means of a mild collyrium, or eye wash, the inflammation quickly subsided, and the young lady is completely relieved, and is now as buoyant and happy as if nothing had occurred.

Many of the instruments that Dr. Scudder uses are of a peculiar construction, and of his own invention.—N. Y. Star.