Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1884 — A BULLET IN THE BRAIN. [ARTICLE]

A BULLET IN THE BRAIN.

Extraordinary Surgical Operation. [New York Telegram.] A remarkable surgical operation has just been performed at Bellevue hospital. Last Thursday a young German attempted suioide by shooting himself In the forehead. When found by the police he was unconscious. Re was taken to iie levue, where Dr. Fluher, on examining the wound, decided to attempt to find the bullet. The skull at the entrance of the wound was trepanned, and it was found that the probe, which was Inserted toward the back of the head, went so far that it was decided to make a counter opening with the trephine opposite the point of the probe. When the opening had been made the bullet was found lying in the brain, just below the opening in the skull. Then, the bullet having been removed, a drainage-tube was passed through the brain in the track of the ball and left in place. The tube passes through the head and projeots both front and back about an inch. Since the operation the patient has been constantly improving, although stupid and semi-unconscious. When spoken to he opens his eyes, and when asked if he wishes water can say yes or np. This is the first operation of the kind ever performed. It occupied about four hours’ time, and was witnessed by a large.number of the surgical staff of Bellevue hospital.