A SURGICAL ENGINE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2681, 22 October 1881, Page 2

A SURGICAL ENGINE.

Mr W. G-. A. Bonwill, of Philadelphia, is the inventor of a mechanical agency in the department of surgency. It is startling, because the amputation of a limb may now be effected by the aid of machinery, the maehine being a surgical engine, invented by Dr Bonwill, and recently presented by that gentleman to St Bartholomew Hospital. The engine consists of an iron standard carrying an arrangement of multiplying wheel gear, which by means of an end-

less cord passing over pulleys transmits rapid rotary motion to either small drills or very fine circular saws, as the case may be. Those instruments are attached to the end of a series of rods connected by universal joints forming elbows, which permit the operator to move the cutting instrument in any direction he pleases while it is revolving at an incredibly high speed. It will, of course, be understood that these instruments are intended to deal only with Done. It has been shown that in caseai where it is desired to hold; the parts of a fractured bone in a certain position, holes can be drilled and pins inserted, which, being held in a steel frame, keep the parts exactly in position. With the circular saw it was shewn that pieces of any required shape can easily be cut out of and removed from a bone, or bone can cut; through in a few seconds. For amputations a small straight saw can be used; it is simply fitted into the holder, and, as it is attached to a small eccentric worked from the main gearing it has a very rapid reciprocating action imparted to it when the gearing is put in motion, which is done by means of a small hand wheel. The comparatively slow movement of the hand of the operator is here replaced by the inconceivably rapid motion of the mechanical saw. By this means not only is the time occupied in the operation greatly shortened, but the operation itself is much more neatly performed owing to the smallness of the cutting instrument and the high speed at which it is moved. This apparatus, which was brought under notice at the late Medical Congress, is stated to be in use in the United States with highly satisfactory results. Dr Bonwill is certainly entitled to the thanks of the medical profession, and no less those of the suffering public, for having dedicated his invention to their free service.—“ Home News."