The word OSTOMY has a derivation, just like other words. Many objects are named after the inventors: Louis Daguerre the daguerreotype, Rev. Sylvester Graham the graham cracker, the Earl of Sandwich for the common luncheon favorite, and Bill Gore for Gore-Tex, to give just a few examples. But I’m guessing that most of you were unaware that the ostomy was the invention of the once infamous French surgeon Dr. Emile Ostomé. Having emigrated from France to England after botching several abdominal operations in Paris, the good doctor managed to resurrect his reputation in London when he avoided yet another tragedy while operating on a patient with appendicitis. His scalpel slipped and he severely damaged the patient’s colon, but was able to recover nicely by excising the damaged portion and temporarily sewing the end of the small intestine through the abdominal wall to form a small outlet for fecal matter. Little known fact: he named the external bit after his despised ex-wife, Stoma. Two nice takeaways from this incident: first, giving your stoma a name is redundant, since it is already a name; and second, the patient, who later had what became known as an ostomé (later anglicized as ostomy) successfully reversed, went on to become the model for the character Emory Smith-Gurney in the novel GREAT PERFORATIONS by Charles Dickens.
Hello HenryM.
I do like your version of the origins of the word 'ostomy' as it appeals to my sense of humour. The reference to Dickens' classic novel should be enough to bring a smile to the face of anyone with a stoma.
Best wishes
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Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden
You have mentioned Charles Dickens, during the Corona isolation days when time hung heavy on your hands, I read some of his books again. Amazing how completely different they are since you read them as a youngster. Someone who has fallen on hard times can do well to read Oliver Twist. My favourite is A Tale Of Two Cities : " Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart ." The opening and closing lines are very powerful here. The first paragraph begins: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,....", universally known lines, and the last paragraph has the heroic Sidney Carton headed for the guillotine but finally at peace with himself. I have never read something more moving than that closing.
It took me quite a long time to get to Dickens, but when I did, I saw clearly that he was the greatest novelist ever. I recently finished David Copperfield, a rousing roller coaster ride if ever there was one.
There is another great inventor that I think you would like, the inventor of the mini skirt - Seymour Hiney.
Hi, I'd love to read this book, but cannot find it anywhere. Are you able to point me in the right direction?
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.
Hello Ella.
Having been caught out many times with people jesting in ways that I am unaccustomed to, I always feel for those who fall for this kind of humour. Charles Dickens wrote a classic novel 'Great Expectations' and I presume that 'Great Perforations' is a pun on this work for those of us that have been through surgical procedures and have been 'perforated'.
You are by no means alone if you have not read Dicken's work. But I can recommend it as a commentary on the social interaction of his time as many of the things he writes about have resonance for the social interaction of today.
Best wishes
Bill