258 On the Efficacy of Blisters, 



not submit to the knife in any way ; and, indeed, I did 

 not urge any thing but amputation, as the whole leg 

 was much swoln, and gave to the fingers a slight sensa- 

 tion of air in the tela cellulosa. 



Several dark-red spots appeared on the 23d, and all 

 the symptoms were worse. Being still refractory, lit- 

 tle was done until towards evening, when I applied a 

 blister above the knee, as wide as my hand, and in 

 length about four-fifths the circumference of his thigh. 



On the 24th, still worse, and the patient in a most 

 alarming state. On examination and enquiry, I found 

 that little regard had been paid to him, as all supposed 

 he would die ; and the blister, being suffered to lie 

 loose upon his thigh, had no effect. The leg was now 

 completely mortified, and the dark colour of the skin 

 extended to the superior anterior spinous process of the 

 os ilium, and gave a much slighter sensation of air to 

 the fingers than in the leg, which was now apparent to 

 every one. I then renewed the blister, and applied it 

 myself, visiting him often, and careful to keep it in 

 place. 



On the 25th he was better ; the blister had drawn, 

 and the dark colour immediately subsided upon the cu- 

 ticle being cut, which discharged a very dark-brown 

 fluid. I still permitted the blister to remain, and on 

 the 26th the patient was still better; the mortification was 

 completely marked, and began to separate about the ori- 

 gin of the gastrocnemii and plantaris. I then amputated 

 the leg immediately above the edge of the mortified part. 



