Peter Parker Collection

Artist: Lam Qua (1801-1860)

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Case Summary from Peter Parker's Journal.

"Hypertrophy of both breasts, of ten years of growth, successfully removed under the influence of chloroform."

April 17, 1848. Lu-shi, aged 42, first presented herself at the hospital, April 17; and when we were about to operate on her, after a few weeks' preparatory treatment, her impatient, opium-smoking husband suddenly summoned her home. Her husband died, and the woman returned. Dec. 24, 1849, the left breast, measuring 2 feet, 2 1/2 inches in circumfrence, and weighing 4 1/2 catties (about 6 pounds), was removed in three and a half minutes. In one month after, the right breast, measuring 2 feet, and weiging 5 1/2 pounds was removed in three minutes."