1888

Matas’ surgical breakthroughs: actual physical extirpation of aneurysm sac (as opposed to internal suture of sac, “a real Antyllian operation”), with use of “iodoform gauze” (223, see entry above); extirpation of thyroid tumor (thyroidectomy); use of intravenous infusions of saline solution for acute anemia (Cohn, 222-230). Mary Dixon Jones performs first total hysterectomy for fibroid tumors in U.S. (MS2, 101). ADVANCES IN SUTURING SEVERED INTESTINES: Nicholas Senn’s use of decalcified bone plates to support stitches (1887); Robert Abbe and Matas independently replace Senn plates with catgut rings (1889); John B. Murphy demonstrates first “Murphy button” (1902) (Cohn, 192, 224, 232-233).