VOL. XXXVII.] I'HILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 573 



In the 3d part, he makes some remarks on the present case, and adds some 

 parallel observations from Mr. Rushworth, a surgeon in Northampton, who 

 had the oood fortime of making the first discovery of the great and surprising 

 effects of the Peruvian bark in checking the progress of mortifications, which, 

 he says, has been likewise confirmed by the repeated observations of that excel- 

 lent surgeon Mr. Serjeant Amyand, who had often used the same medicine, in 

 the same case, and with the same success as Mr. Rushworth. 



Our author says further in this place, that it is only by taking off the fever 

 that the bark produces all these good effects. But to return to the observation 

 itself, which he has given with a great deal of judgment and accuracy.' He 

 says, that April '22, 1732, he was sent for about J 5 miles out of town, to visit 

 a gentleman near 50 years of age. 



On examination he found the back of his right foot mortified, near the 

 middle toes, about the breadth of a shilling, his pulse quick, and his tongue 

 dry. There being no sign of any external hurt, bruise, or wound, his physi- 

 cian, apothecary, and himself, were all of opinion, that it must proceed from 

 some internal cause residing in the mass of blood. 



The necessary dressings being prepared, he scarified the mortified part, and 

 cut to the very bones without being felt by the patient, having afterward car- 

 ried his incisions through the skin as high up as the knee, before ever he began 

 to complain of the least pain. His limb was at the same time stuped with a 

 proper warm fomentation, and the wounds dressed up, as usual, with pledgets 

 dipped in hot oil of turpentine, and over all a poultice, or cataplasm, was laid 

 on of theriac. Londin. oatmeal and stale beer. The physician prescribed what 

 alexipharmics he judged most proper on the occasion. 



April 23, Serjeant Dickins and Mr. Cheselden being called in, they direct- 

 ed the same external applications to be continued as before. 



April 24, the mortification did not seem to spread. 



April 25, his fever, was high, his tongue very dry, and the mortification began 

 to spread a little. He then scarified again and deeper. 



April 26, the mortification seemed to be at a stand. 



April 27, the mortification spread across the toes towards the ball of the 

 foot, which he scarified deeper, and dressed as before. The fever grew higher. 



April 28, he was forced to use the actual cautery, the mortification getting 

 ground in spite of all he had done. 



April 29, he found no benefit from the cautery, though applied wherever the 

 part was corrupted. 



April 30, the two surgeons that had been consulted before, the physician, 

 the apothecary, and the author, were all of opinion, that even the taking oft" 



