Artist: Lam Qua (1801-1860)

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Case Summary from Peter Parker's Journal

"I observed a Chinese [man] advance timidly to the hospital leading his little daughter, who at first sight appeared to have two heads. A sarcoma hung over the right eye and so depressed the lid as to exclude the light. The child complained of vertigo, and habitually inclined her head to the left side. It was evident that left to itself the tumor might terminate the life of the child." As a precaution, Dr. Parker had both parents sign a statement which read "they would exculpate me from censure, if the child should die in consequence of the attempt. An opiate was given 15 minutes before, and wine and water during the operation. the patient cheerfully submitted to be blindfolded and to have her hands and feet confined. The tumor was extirpated in 8 minutes."