349 On Pneumatic Medicine. 



celebrated Dr. Moor, a surgeon whose intrinsic merits need 

 no commendation from my pen, and the lad v.as under 

 his care about a fortnight ; when, with that caprice so often 

 seen in the middle stations of life, he was brought to me by 

 his mother in March. I wrote to Mr. Moor a letter to apo- 

 logize for taking from him a patient, especially in surgery ; 

 ^nt as I was to receive no pecuniary advanUige, I felt m this 

 the less reluctant : and after six weeks trial of the oxyge- 

 nating plan, I had the pleasure of seeing the lad restored to 

 the full use of his limb, in health, and spirits. 



Observations on this case, 



1. The blackness seemed to indicate a defective oxygena- 

 tion of the part: — it had existed from November to March. 



2. The outward applications employed were common 

 cwntments, and occasionally a very weak solution of lunar 

 caiistic (oxy<z;cnatcd silver). 



3. Silver, \vc know, in its pure state is the most inoffen- 

 sive of metals : but when oxidated imparts the readiest to 

 the animal fibre its superabundant oxygen. 



4. The blood was at the same time superoxidated by the 

 inhalation of vital air, which oxygen imbibed by the blood 

 it would impart to the limb, as it passed along in the route of 

 the circulation : or at any rate there would be determined 

 more artciial blood to the diseased part, by the increased 

 stimulus to the heart. 



5. Why, Task, are bad legs so frequent, and not bad arms, 

 unless from the greater distance of the lower extremities 

 from -the seal of circulation, the fountain of arterial blood.'' 



(}. But laving all reasoning aside, under this process, the 

 system being li'kewisc invigorated by bark, as the actions of 

 life were increased, the patient lost his lameness, and the 

 limb to^k on a far more healthy appearance. 



7. His appetite was greatly increased. 



8. lie became more lively. 



i>. The blackness gradually diminished; and, 

 10. After six weeks the left leg had all the freedom of 

 tl'.c other, and looked healthy. 



1 ] . Jan. 1 7, 1 805. The lad is before me, who is sound of 

 limb, in health, and spirits. 



i have the honour to be, sir, 



Your obliged faithful servant, 



iioBEUT John Thoknton. 



LX. On 



