Show STRANGE AS IT 11 SEEMS By John Hix Mix p S I L La AND INCHES a IN IH U T THas was Has W 5 found PP by P P ChI Wafer oo NY lIY sr L 4 Pa H Pu zt P rda ys To M ITTS FR AV r I N RAC 1 of A tx l t V OPERATION WI A MOB WAITING To LYNCH HIM IF HE LSD FAILED BoBBY OBB HiL Hilt U H Vt ED IZ 12 fj lly CON CONSECUTIVE DOUBLE RINGERS I Jack M i J t V i J BACKWOODS DOCTOR Immortal in medicines medicine's hall of fame is Ephraim McDowell a doctor of Kentucky's hills who in 1809 made surgical history by successfully performing the first abdominal operation using a technique still em- em loyed Called one day to examine a patient 60 miles from Danville McDowell McDowell McDowell Mc Mc- Dowell found her suffering from a tumor This meant sure death death- unless he could operate a practice never before used A Danville minister hearing of McDowell's plan violently opposed he the action in a sermon preached before his congregation The operation was to take place on Christmas day so the benefit of the worlds world's prayers might night be gained Assisted by his nephew Dr James McDowell the doctor strapped his lis patient to the table and administered a few opium pills Mrs Craword Crawford Crawford Craw Craw- ford ord sang hymns as the two doctors worked Meanwhile outside a crowd gathered threw a rope over the limb of if a tree and waited to lynch McDowell if the operation failed It was successful however and the mob dispersed Copyright 1938 for The Telegram |