[Reprinted from The Medical News, December 31, 1892.] 
REUNION OF 4 PORTION OF AN AMPUTATED 
FINGER. 
By ORVILLE HORWITZ, B.S., M.D., 
lecturer on genito-urinary and venereal diseases in the spring 
COURSE, AND DEMONSTRATOR OF SURGERY IN JEFFERSON 
MEDICAL COLLEGE. 
A case resulting in a gratifying and complete reunion 
of severed parts presented itself at the Jefferson College 
Hospital, which I am tempted to report, though I am 
aware that it but accords with the experience of the 
profession. 
On the 20th of October last, a young man, twenty 
years of age, was brought to the hospital, who stated 
that whilst cutting a piece of sheet tin his forefinger ac- 
cidentally became entangled, and before it could be 
disengaged the upper portion was amputated. He 
brought with him the severed portion wrapped in a dirty 
rag, as was likewise the stump. 
On examination it was found that the knife had en- 
tered at the junction of the skin and nail, had passed 
obliquely downward, emerging just above the first joint, 
making a clean cut and completely severing the upper 
portion of the finger. The accident had occurred some 
twenty minutes before I saw the patient. 
With the hope of having the stump reunite to the fin- 
ger, I placed the amputated portion in a solution of 
i : 1000 mercuric chloride, whilst making the necessary 
preparations. The hand, being very dirty, was first 
scrubbed with bichloride soap, washed with turpentine, 
and once more scrubbed with soap, and then placed in 2 
a basin of warm bichloride solution and allowed to soak 
for fifteen minutes. 
The amputated portion having been scrubbed and 
cleaned, was nicely adjusted; accurate apposition 
having been obtained, it was secured to the stump by 
delicate sutures. Care was taken to pass a suture 
through the divided portions of the nail, so as to give 
the parts firmness and stability. The wound was then 
dusted with iodoform and dressed with bichloride 
gauze. The hand was placed in a splint, and the patient 
was directed to return at the end of two days. 
At the expiration of the prescribed time the patient again 
presented himself, when, on examination, it was found 
that the parts had regained their natural appearance ; 
warmth had returned to the severed parts; the color 
under the nail had become as natural and as fresh-look- 
ing as though no wound had ever existed ; and what was 
most gratifying, there was perfect sensation at the end 
of the finger, showing that the extremities of the nerves 
were in complete apposition, and that they had already 
become reunited. Sixteen days after the date of injury 
the individual returned to work, having perfect use of 
his hand and finger.