Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
August 6, 1847
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Henry Printz of Reading, PA, underwent painless leg amputation above the knee using Letheon (ether) after a railroad accident at Baumstown, performed by Drs. Hiester and Whitman; he laughed during surgery and expected quick recovery.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE LETHEON.
The Berks and Schuylkill Pa. Journal gives the following account of the amputation performed upon the person of Mr. Henry Printz, of Reading, whose leg was dreadfully crushed and mangled on the railroad at Baumstown, on Saturday evening.—The operation was performed on Sunday morning, by Drs. Hiester and Whitman, the patient having first been put under the influence of the Letheon.
During the operation he was entirely insensible to pain, and laughed and joked while the knife and saw were separating the quivering flesh and cutting through the bones, muscles and arteries. The leg was amputated above the knee joint, and we are told that the unfortunate man never once winked under the dreadful operation or experienced the slightest pain or disagreeable sensation. We are further assured, that after the limb was bound up, and the effects of the ether had passed off, the pain was by no means severe. The system of the patient was not prostrated by the operation, and the wound is much more likely to be speedily healed, than in cases where the sufferer is doomed to feel the exquisite torture of the operation.
The Berks and Schuylkill Pa. Journal gives the following account of the amputation performed upon the person of Mr. Henry Printz, of Reading, whose leg was dreadfully crushed and mangled on the railroad at Baumstown, on Saturday evening.—The operation was performed on Sunday morning, by Drs. Hiester and Whitman, the patient having first been put under the influence of the Letheon.
During the operation he was entirely insensible to pain, and laughed and joked while the knife and saw were separating the quivering flesh and cutting through the bones, muscles and arteries. The leg was amputated above the knee joint, and we are told that the unfortunate man never once winked under the dreadful operation or experienced the slightest pain or disagreeable sensation. We are further assured, that after the limb was bound up, and the effects of the ether had passed off, the pain was by no means severe. The system of the patient was not prostrated by the operation, and the wound is much more likely to be speedily healed, than in cases where the sufferer is doomed to feel the exquisite torture of the operation.
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
Misfortune
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Letheon
Amputation
Ether Anesthesia
Railroad Accident
Painless Surgery
Henry Printz
What entities or persons were involved?
Henry Printz
Drs. Hiester
Drs. Whitman
Where did it happen?
Reading, Baumstown, Berks And Schuylkill Pa.
Story Details
Key Persons
Henry Printz
Drs. Hiester
Drs. Whitman
Location
Reading, Baumstown, Berks And Schuylkill Pa.
Event Date
Saturday Evening And Sunday Morning
Story Details
Henry Printz's leg crushed on railroad at Baumstown Saturday evening; amputated above knee Sunday morning by Drs. Hiester and Whitman using Letheon; patient insensible to pain, laughed and joked during operation, no severe pain afterward, expected speedy healing.