Report of I he City and Finsli/r^ Dispensaries . 71 



and lotions; but the breast remained somewhat enlarged, 

 apparently from a tumour, which was entirely neglected, as 

 it did not produce much inconvenience, only occasionally 

 some darting throuixh the part. 



In October, 1806, she received a second blow while play.'^ 

 ing with a child, who threw its head back with great force 

 on the same breast, which was then exposed : — this produced 

 exquisite pain at the instant. The tumour was now more 

 evident, and excited greater attention from the darting pain, 

 which was become severe, returned at short intervals, and 

 was accompanied with a sensation of heat. 



She was now placed under the care of a physician, who 

 directed that from eight to twelve leeches should be applied 

 to the breast ; and, after the bleeding had subsided, that the 

 whole be covered with the emplastrum thuriscompositum,and 

 that the most abstemious regimen be enjoined. More leeches 

 and another plaster were applied at about the end of eight days. 



This inode of treatment was persevered in till April 1807, 

 when I first saw her. The tumour was large and irregular on 

 its surface, exceedingly painful ; the darlings, alwavs accom- 

 panied with a sensation of heat, extended through the nipple^ 

 which was retracted, and the integuments somewhat puc- 

 kered : a considerable enlargement had also taken place in 

 one of ihe lymphatic glands on the lower edge of the pecto- 

 ral muscle, towards the axilla. 



During the above plan of treatment by depletion, the pe- 

 riods of the catamenia were protracted, and became more 

 painful; the general health and strength of the body were 

 much reduced, and little calculated to bear up against the 

 increasing degree of pain produced by each application of 

 the leeches ; the disease assumed its true character, and was 

 now making rapid advances. 



A generous regimen was immediately ordered, and the 

 breast covered with the emplastrum ammoniaci cum hydrar- 

 gyro. At the end of the first week it was evident that she 

 had experienced great benefit from the change in the plan of 

 treatment : the diet was now directed to be of the most nu- 

 tritious kind ; some alterative medicines were prescribed, and 

 the plaster continued, 



E4 At 



