376 Mr Tytler on the Bite qftlve Ceylofi Leech. 



the rete mucosum. The muscles of the \^g^ particularly the 

 gastrocnemii, are so much wasted, as to render him a complete 

 cripple, and he walks only by the help of a staff. 



Meer Wilaet Alee, drummer, was bitten in the same coun- 

 try, and about the same time, in the outer ankle of the left foot. 

 He describes the leeches as the former patient, excepting differ- 

 ing as to their size, which by this man's account is not above 

 two inches. On seeing the leech on his foot, he tore it off, and 

 flung it away ; and to this circumstance he ascribes the peculiar 

 malignity of the wound he received. A small ulcer appeared, 

 which in hospital was speedily cured ; but as soon as he return- 

 ed to duty, again broke out. He was again cured in hospital, 

 and again the ulcer reappeared on his discharge ; and this was 

 repeated several times. Three times the surgeon cut out the edge 

 of the ulcer all around its circumference, with a view, no doubt, 

 of removing the diseased or infected parts : but not the least be- 

 nefit resulted from the operation. The ulcer is now exceedingly 

 foul, with a great destruction of substance, and a constant and 

 copious discharge of sanies. On the upper part of the foot, its 

 size and shape is like that of two rupees laid lengthways ; and 

 it has eaten into the sole, and made there an indentation of a- 

 bout two inches long, and one broad, very deep and foul. This 

 man is of course totally a cripple. He states it to be the gene- 

 ral belief, that if tbese leeches, upon fixing on a part, are allow- 

 ed to gorge themselves, and come off of their own accord, their 

 bite is harmless ; but that if rudely torn off, they leave their 

 teeth in the wound, and the above mischievous consequences en- 

 sue. Supposing this account of the -effects of disturbing these 

 animals to be true, is the above account of its cause also to be 

 admitted, or may it be allowed to conjecture, that those leeches 

 have, like snakes, two sets of teeth, one of which they employ as 

 instruments in receiving their foodj and the other as weapons of 

 injury, when they find themselves attacked .^ 



Kesri Sing, sipahee, was bitten on the upper part of the great 

 toe. His description of the leech exactly agrees with that of the 

 last patient. Ulceration took place, which healed, and was suc- 

 ceeded by a tumour containing pus. On being opened, this de- 

 generated into a sloughing ulcer, out of which came a large por- 

 tion of the extensor tendon of the toe. The ulcer is at length 



