Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1869 — A Man Without a Breast-bone. [ARTICLE]

A Man Without a Breast-bone.

The following physical phenomena were exhibited beforo the American Science Association in Boston : : Dr. Groux, a native of Hamburg, and at nrosent a practising physician at Brooklyn, N. Y., was born without a sternum or breast-bone. Dr. J. Baxter Uplmm, of Boston, having boen intimately acquainted for many years with Dr. Groux, has devised a number of ingenious experiments by winch, in his case, the action of the heart is made to manifest itself both to the eyes and ears of persons situated at a considerable distance. It. should lie lwrne in mind that the action of the heart in Dr. Groux is perfectly normal and healthy, while the ahsoncc of the sternum renders it possible to make certain studies of the utmost importance, which are impossible in the case of the human being as ordinarily constructed. Dr. Groux’s case lifts been treated of at length in various medical journals in Europe, hut never before bus it been brought in such a striking manner before so large an audience of scientific men. The mechanism of the heart is somewhat analogous to that of a doubleaction pump. In both cases the machinery, however perfectly it may work, makes some noise. l)r. Groux was.able to show three distinct motions nnd sounds occurring successively, and with a certain rhythm, in every boat of the heart. Dr. Groux also exercised the power, rarely bestowed, aiid never used without great danger, of stopping at will, during a short period, the action of his heart. This was done this evening to the satisfaction of several medical men, one of whom was listening with the stethoscope at the chest, nnd two others feeling at the wrists £>r the pulse. For about 20 seconds the action of the vital organ In the frail chest of Dr. Groux completely censed. Some years ago there existed an individual who was wont to experiment with himself in this manner, and who finally perished through being unable to resume the ordinary conditions of human existence. Dr. Uphaju, so far from encouraging liis friend, Dr. Groux, in the repetition of this perilous experiment, has earnestly entreated him never to make the venture again. Some years ago Dr. Groux, having made up his mind to travel in various cities of Europe and America, caused Rufus Choate, the renowned lawyer, to draw up a will making over his body, in the event of ids death, to the surgeons for dissection. Portions of his will, which is a long document composed in Mr. Choate’s happiest vein, were read to the great delight of the audience. The'original draft, in the inimitable handwriting of Mr. Choate himselft'was also exhibited. The experiments and explanations specially relating to Dr. Groux were given with great clearness by that gentle-' man, who is a regularly graduated physician- It is clearly of great advantage to science that this rare malformation occurs in one who is so well qualified to observe the obscure vital nroeesscjntliicbffaffqrds an opportunity ot enjoying.—AircWsr.