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Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1943, Page 4

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IN AMERICAN SUBMARINE BY PHARMACIST’S MATE. ACCOMPANIMENT OF BURSTING DEPTH CHARGES. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, February 13. The “New York Times” Pearl Harbour correspondent says that Pharmacist’s Mate Thomas Moore, aged 22, who said he had witnessed 2000 appendectomies, removed the appendix from George Platter, aged 21, aboard the American submarine Silversides, in Japanese waters while depth charges nearly knocked out the patient and operators. Moore, after a diagnosis, asked the captain’s permission to operate. The captain commented: “Good God, son, do you know where we are? We couldn’t be nearer to the. Tokio highway.” But finally the captain gave permission for the operation, which lasted five hours and was performed on the mess table. A spinal anaesthetic wore off in 90 minutes, after which ether was used. Assistants were shocked when they saw Platter’s viscera pushed into view. Later Platter commented: “I could see them pulling my guts.” Moore, in order to comfort the patient, kept repeating the Psalm, “God is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in time of trouble.” After the submarine’s return doctors said the operation was perfect. The submarine came to the surface after the operation and torpedoed an enemy ship. It then again submerged and was heavily attacked with depth charges.