60 Account of an extensive 



often placing bis band on tbe aflfcclecl part : — in other re- 

 flpects bis healib bad been previously good. He was re- 

 garded as a most active man : be bad a general knowledge 

 of literature and science ; spoke several languages ; was 

 dislinguisbed for tbe facility witb which be could converse 

 upon most subjects, and reasoned so closely that bis intel- 

 lectual powers were generally regarded as of a superior kind. 

 He had been repeatedly employed by the late Mr. Pitt ou 

 missions to various j)arts of the contmcnt, and had invent- 

 ed several improvements in mechanics, which had gained 

 ^im considerable notoriety. 



About two months previous to my seeing him he had 

 been seized witb what was pronounced by •: medical gen- 

 tleman who visited bin), to be peritoneal inflammation. 

 This gentleman bavins; discontinued bis attendance. I was 

 sent for by the patient ; not so much with a view lo admi- 

 nister any professional aid, as to express my consent tQ 

 ^'anatomize bis body" alter his dissolution, which he 

 jicvcr ceased to contemplate as rapidly approaching, with a 

 firmness of mind peculiar to himself. This singular, and 

 I believe almost unprecedented request, was even com- 

 mitted to writing by tlie patient, and delivered to a parti- 

 -cular friend. 



On further inquiry I learned that be felt considerable 

 pain also in the abdomen, and on aj^plying my hand ex^ 

 ternally I felt a tunKuir in the scrobiculus cordis, extending 

 to about midway between that part and the unjbilicns j but 

 ibis tumour was not sensible to the mere casual touch. His 

 pulse was good, and did not indicate inflanmvuion ; but be 

 appeared to be gradually sinking } he look but little nourish- 

 ment, and did not rest well. 



The njedicines administered were opiates witb aperients, 

 ^vbich aflbidid some temporary relief. A lew days previous 

 lo bis death he bad several convulsive fits: be lost the use 

 of his left side before death ; but the ciienlation and beat 

 in that part of his body were uninterrupted ; the lower ex- 

 Utmiiies at this time i«lso becanie anasareous. He con- 

 linued perieclly sensible to tbe moment ot his dissolution, 



ETamination of the Body, 



On sawing off the upper part of the cranium, the boncg 

 appeared periectly diaphanous : — the membranes and surface 

 of tbe brain were in their natural state '1 lie generaf sub- 

 stance oF the brain was lirm. 



On separating the hemispheres, there appeared attached 

 .K> the ri^ht hcaii«phere a dark-coloured tumour of at least 



