Alexandria Gazette

A Singular Accident

A young Irishman residing in Bristol England, while larking, ran after a girl who was engaged in seamstress work, and gave her a hug in sport; but it proved anything but sport to him, for as he pressed her to his bosom, it turned out all but a fatal embrace, as a needle which she had in the breast of her gown, literally entered his heart, and broke off short, leaving nearly three parts of an inch of the steel in the muscles. He instantly felt sick and faint, and was taken to the infirmary, when it was determined to make an effort to extract the broken needle, as should it remain where it was, death must quickly ensue from inflammation of the heart. A physician, accordingly, cut through the outer flesh, and having laid bare the surface of the heart, discovered a small portion of the needle fragment protruding, and with the forceps he drew it out. The delicate operation was most successful, but, as much inflammation had set in before the needle could be extracted, it was at last accounts very doubtful whether his life would be saved. It is, however, a most uncommon operation and singular accident, showing that even the heart itself may sustain a sharp wound without death immediately following.