ON WRONG SIDE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 23, 12 November 1943, Page 3

ON WRONG SIDE

HEART OF A SOLDIER

UNUSUAL CASE

Sapper \V. VondcrwalU member of a Royal Australian Engineers' unit, who. -because of internal übnormality, Avas declared dead some years ago, Avill soon go to an operational area. lie has Avhat doctors call a "transportation of A'iscera." Avhieli means that his heart is on his right side instead of his left, and his liver is on his left side instead of on his right. 11' lie Ave re to have, an appendix operation, doctors Avould make an incision on the left side of his abdomeii. instead of on the right. Vonderwail. who is :i(i, is the father of three healthy sons. He has an AI Army medical pass, and claims he. has never had. a day's illness in his life. Vonderwail said that his abnormal interior had once caused him the embarrassment of being declared dead. He had. been injured in a car smash at Broken Hill, and his heart beat had been so Aveak alter the accident that the doctor Avho had tested him Avith a stethoscope—on the left side —had pronounced him dead. Some hours later, Avhen his '"body" had been taken to hospital, another doctor had made a check examination and. alter locating his h< i .art on the right side had set to work to revive him.