158 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1737. 



countries, nor could they live there by reason of the inclemency of the air. 

 Wherefore the best judges follow the opinion of the learned Dr. Woodward, 

 the Scheuchzers, and others, in taking them for the bones of antediluvian 

 animals, or of such as were conveyed thither in the universal deluge. 



Of a large Glandular Tumour in the Pelvis, and of the pernicious Effects of 

 crude Mercury given inwardly to the Patient. By Dr. Andrew Cantwell, of 

 Montpellier. N° 446, p. 1 39. 



Dr. C. was called to visit an English gentleman who was ill. In the house 



where he lodged, was one P r M n, born in France, but settled in 



Cadiz. This poor gentleman, having been very ill for 2 or 3 years, had lost 

 the use of his left leg and thigh, was subject to frequent head-achs, and pains 

 in his bones, but more especially in his legs ; for which, because he had been 

 given to women, his physicians in Cadiz salivated him twice, sent him to several 

 hot waters, and gave him all the remedies they could imagine, but to no pur- 

 pose; for his illness increasing, he had from time to time great difficulty of 

 making water, and going to stool. In this condition he came from Spain to 

 Marseilles, and from thence was sent to the waters of Baleruc, of which he 

 drank a great quantity. But as they did not pass, his physician there ordered 

 him strong purges, with clysters of a decoction of tobacco, and the like. He 

 then began to vomit his excrements; on which the physician to the Marquis of 



C 's regiment in Spain, who happened to be there, ordered him ±- lb. of 



crude mercury by the mouth, which made him suffer the most exquisite pains ; 

 and his belly swelled, and became as stiff as a drum. Here Dr. Montague was 

 sent for, who soon discovered the error in the preceding practice, by feeling a 

 solid body near the rectum, which obstructing the passage, hindered the clys- 

 ter-pipe from entering far enough into the gut. After his departure, the pa- 

 tient was again ordered clysters, which were injected with a crooked pipe, and 

 several purges; till at the end of 8 days he died, having his belly larger, stifFer 

 and harder than ever. Though Dr. C. arrived the day before his death, he saw 

 htm not til! after he expired. His physician having invited him to open the 

 body, he willingly consented, curious to find the solid resistance or tumour, 

 which he could give no account of. He sent for the surgeon of the village, 

 who opened the abdomen, which was filled with a whitish liquor of some con- 

 sistence. The epiploon was all dissolved, and swam in this liquor like so much 

 pus. 



This water poured out, Dr. C. examined the intestines. The colon was 

 burst under the stomach, and in 3 other places at its lower part; and so was 

 the caecum; the ileum all inflamed, and in one part gangrened. The lips of 



