25 Years Ago
Sawyer's sawed-off manhood restored in historic microsurgery
ST LOUIS — Surgeons perform what's believed to be only the third-ever successful penis reattachment in the US. The 28-year-old patient had the misfortune to slip onto a circular saw on the job. Two providential events prevented the accident from being even worse. First, his severed penis got caught in his clothing, which prevented mutilation and, second, swift emergency responders had him in the OR within an hour of the accident. The man owed his restored manhood to the teamwork of urologist Dr Bela Denes and plastic surgeon Dr Wilfredo Feliciano, who used advanced microsurgical techniques during the procedure. United Press International, November 1, 1980

50 Years Ago
"Electronic brain" in works to topple Tower of Babel
LONDON — Scientists at the Birkbeck College Computational Laboratory announced work was well underway to develop a machine capable of translating languages at an astounding rate of 50 words per minute. Unfortunately, the state-of-the-art 1955 computer lacks the memory needed for translating idioms, lamented chief researcher Dr A D Booth, who realized later he had woefully underestimated the complexity of the brain's processing of languages. "Some of the problems which seemed formidable at first sight may ultimately be overcome," added the irrepressibly Pollyanna professor — later 'electronic brain' translation programs, like the notoriously incoherent Babel Fish, have sadly not borne out his prediction. Associated Press December 1, 1955

75 Years Ago
Doctors offer free treatment to Great Depression's idle hordes
CHICAGO — The season to be jolly came early for the windy city's huddled, unemployed masses when the Chicago Medical Society announced its doctors would be treating the unoccupied for free over the winter. Physicians eagerly filled sign-up sheets denoting how much of their time they would donate to the poor. According to the US Census data, Chicago, along with Detroit and Cleveland, was hardest hit among American cities during the Depression. New York Times, December 11, 1930

100 Years Ago
British coroner had SIDS cause figured out long ago
MANCHESTER — Sleeping four to a bed is a dangerous practice, said Manchester coroner Mr Ernest A Gibson, during an inquest into a one-month-old's death. The child was found to have been accidentally suffocated — by his sleeping father. The coroner told reporters he wished to inform parents that sleeping with one's babies puts the little ones in terrible danger. He also stressed these "child overlaying" cases are tragically common — particularly at weekends. Manchester Guardian, December 4, 1905