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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 725, 26 March 1853, Page 3

Auckland Colonial Hospital. On Thursday morning an operalion presenting various points of interest was performed al this Hospital by the Assistant Colonial Surgeon H. J. Andrews, Esq., in the presence of Or. Davies (Colonial Surgeon) and most of Ihe military and civil medical practitioners in the town and neighbourhood. The patient was a Native Chief from Ihc East Gape, wiio gave his name as u Rangilaurekarcka,” and his age as about 50. Several years ago, in walking along the beach, something had pricked his heel, and from that period forward, disease had made progress in his foot and leg, until (he parts carrlc into a (ondilion in which the ampulalion of the limb was obviously (he one and sole remedial measure of which the case admitted. Me was taken into the Hospital on the sth inst., and on Thursday last, as we have said, the amputation was performed, the leg being cut o(T about mid-way between the knee and the hip. The boon which the application of Chloroform has conferred on suffering humanity was admirably illustrated in this instance. Under its influence the removal of the limb was accomplished without the slightest indication of distress on the part of the patient, who afterwards declared that he felt no pain whatever, and indeed had no consciousness of what was going forward. Uangilaurckareka seems a fine specimen of Native character. He met the operation with the utmost self-possession, having manifested a strong wish (hat it should he performed, from the time of his being assured of its necessily ; and since its performance, he has shown himself highly satisfied and thankful. We were gratified to learn yesterday that the case was progressing as well as could be desired; and we anticipate that when this Chief returns to his people, the effect of his cure (which we trust may now tie calculated on with confidence), and of his report of the means by which it has been accomplished, will exercise a very favourable influence on the minds of the Natives of his own and other tribes, strengthening their reliance on Hie skill and care with which they may expect to he attended to in the Institutions provided for their benefit by their, Pakeha fellow-subjects.