KinSource - Tale of the Week - Looked 14 Years For His Arm

KinSource

Minnesota Musings

The Minneapolis Journal, August 12, 1901, page 7

LOOKED 14 YEARS FOR HIS ARM

Nels P. Nelson Suffered Amputation Years Ago, but the Missing Member Still Pains Him.

Nels P. Nelson the jolly assistant custodian of the Federal building, whose face always wears a smile is not happy. His countenance belies him. Beneath the calm exterior is hidden a secret dissatisfaction. Nels cannot find his arm. For fourteen years he has sought the missing member without avail. Mr. Nelson was employed in a planing mill when his troubles began. He has not become a politician and a diplomat. One day his arm was drawn into a machine which crushed his elbow. Dr. Ames was called in and an amputation was performed.

Mr. Nelson was soon troubled with a pain in the part of the arm that was missing. He consulted the assisting surgeon, laid before him his idea that if the absent limb could be located he would find relief. The doctor convinced him that it was all newspaper talk, but didn't reveal the location of the member. Later the patient had a feeling that his arm was bound to his side as if in a sling. For the long fourteen years he has endured this pain which he believes might be stopped if he could find the lost member.

The sensation of pain in an amputated member was by no means rare, as it frequently takes time for the nerves and brain to adjust themselves to abbreviated conditions. Nelson's case is somewhat unusual, however, from the fact that he has had the uncomfortable sensation for fourteen years. He has lately heard of a railroad man similarly afflicted who was relieved by supplementary operation on the nerves of the stump and is inclined to believe that similar treatment may be effective in his own case.