This silent filmic record from the 1940s shows an incredible case presented by Dr. F.T. Donovan of the Staten Island Surgical Hospital. In 1940, a patient was admitted to the hospital suffering from a most remarkable ailment. He had a “permanent gastronomy” operation as a 10-year-old child in 1895, as a result of an incident where he swallowed hot clam chowder. The chowder scalded his throat and left him unable to swallow food and he would have starved to death without help. Surgeons opened a hole in his stomach through which he could “eat”, but only by first chewing food, spitting it with milk into a funnel, and placing it into his gut.

For 45 years “T.L.” survived this way, at risk of infection or other ailments. He was able to work and apparently led a more or less normal life. But now the area around the surgical site was bleeding, threatening his life.

Then, as you will see at the 3 minute mark, Dr. Donovan performed an operation on the affected area of his stomach, to cauterize the area and prevent further problems.

At 8:27, the patient eats a meal (again using a funnel and milk) and the operation is deemed a success

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com