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An
Extraordinary Operation
The
type of operation – a common appendectomy – had
been performed many times throughout history, but on
this particular day in February 1921, this operation
became a historic event in the little town of Kane,
Pennsylvania. Dr.
Even O’Neill Kane, whose father was the founder of
the town, wanted to prove something to the medical
world. “It
was his belief that the
anesthesia "ether"
was being used far too often when less
dangerous local anesthetics could be used.
So he set out to perform an appendectomy using
only a local anesthetic” (Source: A Brief History of Kane’s Hospitals*).
A
patient was eventually found who needed the surgery
and was willing to undergo
the surgery using only a local anesthesia.
The patient was prepped and
wheeled
into the operating room.
A local anesthetic was applied, and Dr. Kane,
who in his thirty-seven-year medical career had
performed nearly four thousand appendectomies, went to
work. He
dissected the superficial tissues and located the
appendix. He
skillfully excised it and concluded the surgery.
The patient fared well during the surgery and
was dismissed two days later.
Thanks
to the willing volunteer, Dr. Kane had proven his
theory. He
demonstrated that local anesthesia was a viable
alternative in at least some types of surgery.
There
is another facet of this surgery that really makes
this a historical event, and that is the identity of
the patient. The
patient was Dr. Kane himself!
According to A
Brief History of Kane’s Hospitals,* Dr. Kane was
“propped up on the operating room table with a
mirror over his abdomen.
Three other doctors looked on, in case of
trouble, as he began to make
the necessary incision for the removal of his OWN
appendix.”
The
DOCTOR became the PATIENT in order to prove to other
patients (as well as the medical community)
that they could trust the doctor....
What
Dr. Kane did to prove his point partially signifies
what Jesus did for us!
Jesus, the Great Physician, became a patient
(“came in the likeness of men,” Philippians 2:5-8)
in order to once and for all take care of the sin
problem that plagues mankind and also to teach us that
we could trust Him for our eternal salvation.
“Therefore,
in ALL things He had to be made like His brethren,
that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest
in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for
the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has
suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who
are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).
He
WILL save those who will: place their trust
in Him (Acts 16:30-31), repent
of their sin (Acts 17:30-31), confess
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of their
sins (Acts 2:38).
He will CONTINUE to save those who CONTINUE to
follow Him as a way of life, for the rest of their
lives (1 John 1:7).
What
an extraordinary operation! The Son of God became
man and died on the cross for our sins!
This extraordinary operation provides eternal
blessings for those who will give their lives to Him.
Will
you give YOUR life to
Him?
God bless you!
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
* Kane Community Hospital
Web Site, http://www.kanehosp.com/getpage.php?name=history
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