92 Biographical Account of [Aug. 



the poor, and he knew how to make his experience in both 

 ranks bear upon the developement of facts. 



Dupuytren did not possess the manual dexterity which 

 is so much admired in M. Roux ; but his knowledge of 

 organic structure, his talent for diagnosis, enabled him to 

 establish the indications with certainty, and to seize the 

 means of preventing accidents, and of overcoming them 

 when they occurred. He knew well how to calculate the 

 strength of the vital powers. There are some surgeons 

 who can perform operations with skill, but who do not 

 know when to avoid them. Dupuytren possessed both 

 these talents. 



A circumstance which gave an awkward appearance to 

 Dupuytren's mode of operating, was his anxiety to give 

 clinical instruction to the students. For example, in 

 amputation of the mamma, instead of placing himself 

 before the patient, he often stood behind her, in order that 

 he might not obstruct the view of the students. He 

 frequently departed from the common rules, from mere 

 caprice, or from forgetfulness, or perhaps even from igno- 

 rance of these rules. He not only chose the most favourable 

 position for the spectators, but he also explained the dif- 

 ferent steps of the operation as he proceeded, which shewed 

 great coolness and presence of mind. But his greatest talent 

 was displayed when unexpected accidents occurred during 

 an operation. The operation was never in the least re- 

 tarded by such an exigency ; a new plan was immediately 

 devised, and if the surgeon did not inform the spectators 

 of what had happened, the latter would have been quite 

 unaware of it. But he never allowed an opportunity to 

 pass of exhibiting the utility of his new plan. 



Vidal only once saw him lose his presence of mind. He 

 had to extract a very large calculus : he considered a long 

 time how he should proceed. He appeared to adopt the 

 idea of cutting the fundus of the bladder ; but still he 

 hesitated. At last what was most extraordinary, he allowed 

 himself to be influenced by the advice of another surgeon, 

 who advised him to combine the bilateral with the recto- 

 prostatic incision. He operated, but did not succeed, for 

 the calculus was not extracted till next day. On that day, 

 Vidal observed his lower lip to quiver, and his cheeks to 

 change colour several times, and this because the school 



