having a
hole in one's self, called a
fistula, which will never close. usually an intentional
surgical opening made into a
cavity or
hollow organ, but sometimes they come about by accident. the best known fistula
type is that made in the
rumen of a
cow; the procedure is generally done so that tests can be
run regarding
digestion and
nutrition.
the first known fistula was actually found in a
french canadian, alexis st. martin. in 1822, he sustained a life-threatening musket wound in his side. one dr. william
beaumont, the town
physician, predicted that st. martin would not last more than 36 hours. however, he survived and most of his injuries healed-- except the hole in his
stomach. no matter how hard
doctors tried, they couldn't get it to close up again.