316 On the Utility of FuL'lic Dispensaries. 



•mining the bodv after death, where the colon terminated m^ 

 z sac, and the rectnm was wanting : two cases of cataract 

 treated successfully by couching : one case of an extra 

 thumb removed in a child only a few days oldj which 

 healed by the first intention : one case of a tumour that had 

 been growing in the upper lip for four vears ; it was dissected 

 out by a single incision, which united readily, leaving no 

 appearance of either the operation or disease j the tumour, 

 from its situation and size, had become extremely un- 

 sightly : one case of abscess in the hand, where the flexor 

 tendons were laid bare, one of which was necessarily re- 

 moved : one case of a true scirrhous tumour in the breast, 

 which had been growing for several years, completely dis- 

 cussed bv the application of the emp. hydrarg. cum am- 

 moniac, with the saponaceous and camphorated liniments. 

 Mary Kain, Spitalfields, aged 45, observed a tumour in 

 her right breast about seven years ago, from which she ex- 

 perienced no inconvenience, except occasional darting pain, 

 ■which did not return frequent, or continue long : it excited 

 very little attention till about May last, when from its size 

 and pain it occasioned much imcasiness, and several pro- 

 fessional gentlemen were consulted. At this time the pain, 

 hardness, and irregularity of the tumour appear to have been 

 such as might have truly characterized the disease : how- 

 ever, one of these gentlemen, considering it a common ab- 

 scess, plunged his lancet into the tumour; but, as will be 

 readily understood, no discharge of matter followed. From 

 this time it ulcerated rapidly, the discharge was thin and 

 cffl'nsive, the pain very great, and the constitution suifered 

 so much, that the patient appeared to be going with hasty 

 strides " to that bourne from whence no traveller returns." 

 On the 7th of December she wa5 admitted a patient in the 

 City Dispensary, when the ulcerated surface was nearly of 

 a circular figure of four inches in diameter. She inquired 

 if any operation could be performed: which she was willing 

 to undergo, even at any hazard, rather than endure her pre- 

 sent sufferings. The extent of the disease rendered the re- 

 moval of the whole breast absolutely necessary ; which was 

 done on the 9th of December, vvith little interruption : two 

 arteries only required to be secured till the operation was 

 completed. The pain of the operation gradually left her, 

 so that she had a very comfortable night ; and has not from 

 that time experienced either fever or inconvenience in any 

 degree to what might have been expected from an operation 

 of so formidable a nature. No medicines were given, ex- 

 cept a few doses of salts to keep the bowels vcgnlar, as she 

 5 was 



