"Operation Was Successful"

[Mullins, Bill]

A SUNDAY BRAWL IN BROOKLYN.
New York Times (1857-Current file); Jun 7, 1880; ProQuest Historical
Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2001) p. 2 col 6.
"The operation was successful, but failed to restore the wounded man to
consciousness."

THE OBITUARY RECORD. E. B. Wall
New York Times (1857-Current file); Apr 3, 1894; ProQuest Historical
Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2001)
pg. 5 col 6.
"The operation was successful, but the shock was so great that Mr. Wall
could not rally."

A GENEROUS SACRIFICE.
The Washington Post (1877-1954); Mar 4, 1894; ProQuest Historical
Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1988)
pg. 16 col 2.
"When the doctor says that the operation was entirely successful, but
the patient died, the layman usually says nothing, but looks
despondent."

As It Often Happens.
The Washington Post (1877-1954); Jul 28, 1904; ProQuest Historical
Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1988)
pg. 6  col 7 [a joke, quoted in full]
"From the Chicago Record-Herald.
"Yes," said the hungry-looking man.  "I'm willing to do anything."
"How does it happen that you are out of a job in such a time of peace,
plenty, and prosperiety as this?"
"Well, you see, there was a strike."
"Oh.  And you lost."
"No, we won all right, only they gradually discharged all us fellows
who'd gone out."
"I see.  The operation was successful, but the patient died." "


> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society
> [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Fred Shapiro
> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 1:43 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: "Operation Was Successful"
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Fred Shapiro <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
> Subject:      "Operation Was Successful"
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------
>
> I would welcome any help on finding the earliest occurrence
> on ProQuest Historical Newspapers or Newspaperarchive of the
> following saying:
>
> The operation was successful--but the patient died.
>
> Fred Shapiro
>