358 PHILOSOPHICAL, TRANSACTIONS, [aNNO IOQ^. 



died there in a fit of vomiting. On dissecting the stomach, I found a stone of 

 the size and form of fig. 7, pi. 7. The corner a was almost fixed in the pylorus, 

 so that the passage from the stomach to the intestines was nearly quite shut up. 

 The substance of this stone is a little spongy, weighing about Si- drams. On 

 dissecting the left kidney was found also a stone of the same substance and 

 form as represented in fig. 8, weighing about 5 drams, and in the gall bladder 

 were several stones, as represented in fig. Q, weighing 2 drams. 



That stones are daily generated in the vesica urinaria, reins, and vesicula fellis, 

 is very common, but not so that they should be bred in the stomach of a 

 human body. However, it seems they have been produced by the same com- 

 mon cause and petrifying matter. But I am apt to believe some extraneous 

 body has given origin to that of the stomach, as it happens frequently even in 

 those extracted from the vesica urinaria. Thus, an iron tag, a leaden bullet, 

 &c.' have been found to be the kernels of several stones ; and that various extra- 

 neous bodies are often found in the stomach, which have been swallowed 

 down, either by design or accident, we have many instances and authorities. 



^ 7ieiv IVay of Cutting for the Stone by a Hermit in France ; zvith Observations 

 by M. Bussiere. N° 250, p. 100. 



Brother James, a hermit in France, in extracting the stone out of the blad- 

 der, uses a steel staff, much thicker but shorter than usual ; it is shorter from 

 the top to the bending ; it bends more than ours ; his conductor is more slen- 

 der and longer than ours ; the point of it, which goes into the bladder, being 

 of the figure of a lozenge, is wide and open in its extremity. His forceps has 

 longer branches than ours, but their holds are shorter and wider, with many 

 large teeth within. The scoop, with which he draws the sand or gravel which 

 remain sometimes in the bladder after the stone is out, is shorter than ours. 

 His knife is much longer and slenderer than ours. 



He places the patient flat upon his back, either on his bed or on a table, 

 having a soft quilt over it, in such a manner, that the fundament is 3 or 4 

 fingers over the table, some servants supporting his thighs and legs. He uses 

 no ligature to fasten the patient, giving him more liberty than we do; only 

 causes his legs to be bent against the thighs, but not the thighs against the 

 belly, except the left, which in his operation he uses more or less as he thinks 

 fit. Then he introduces the catheter or staff into the bladder, which though 

 thick and shorter than ours, yet seems to run in easier ; very of"ten he holds it 

 himself with his left hand, pressing it close towards the fundament, in order 

 to dilate and extend the membranes of the bladder ; then he feels with the 

 fingers of his right hand, to find out the stafi' through the skin, and having 



