Put A Cheek On Him

   Julius Swinson, of Au Sable, who came to the Homeopathic hospital on Feb. 6, with one side of his face shot away, has so far recovered as to be soon discharged. He is a 13 years old lad, sturdy and strong of physique. Early in January, while out rabbit hunting, he stepped down through a brush heap discharging his gun which was loaded with bird shot into his face. The charge struck him under the jaw on the left side and tore a channel up though the left side of his face about an inch and a half wide. It carried away a portion of each jaw and destroyed the eye. When he carne to the hospital, he had been treated for about a month by a local physician and was in a horrible condition, the edges of the widely gaping wound having become indurated and the saliva constantly flowing out through the wound. The edges of the wound were dissected, the bones of the jaw carefully cleaned, several teeth removed and the tissue loosened from the bone over the side of the face. Then two slits were out on either side of the wound, one close up to the ear and the other ear the nose. Then the flesh was pushed together bringing the ragged edges of the wound together. Skin grafting was then resorted to and gradually the raw surface was covered. The surface finally covered by the skin grafting process is readily distinguishable now, the patches of skin grafted appearing as little islands in the skin. The wounds are nearly healed now, only a small opening remaining on the outside at present. The bone in the jaws is also growing in and it is thought they will become united and as strong as before the accident. It is not expected that the teeth will come again of course. The jaws are so far normal that the patient experiences no difficulty in chewing the usual forms of food. On account of the terrible wound he is not able to open his mouth fully. He will have a glass eye fitted before he is discharged and he will leave the hospital a good looking boy. The great scars on the side of his face will always remain of course, but otherwise he will present a good appearance.

   Dr. Oscar Le Seure, professor of surgery and clinical surgery in the Homeopathic Medical College and Dr. Tuttle the house surgeon, have had charge of the case.