6/4 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1755. 



dicum, in English called the Barbadoes tar, to have so good an effect, by being 

 applied every day to the joint for some weeks, even after every other remedy had 

 failed, as to cure such a disorder of the kee-joint, as had hitherto been judged 

 desperate : in which case there plainly appeared to be an enlargement of the 

 bones, as well as a very considerable one of the integuments, and of the ten- 

 dinous and ligamentous parts, but without any apparent inflammation. In this 

 instance no extravasated fluid could be discovered ; however, there was an im- 

 mobility of the joint, and a considerable contraction of the hamstrings. The 

 pain was extremely great, which the patient described as shooting through the 

 ligaments of the joint, the knee-pan, the extremities of the thigh-bone, and 

 those of the leg. He had a severe symptomatic fever, which had been of many 

 weeks continuance, by which he was become greatly emaciated. The reason for 

 Mr. W.'s giving so particular an account of the circumstances attending this 

 fact, proceeded from his desire of recommending a trial of the same remedy, in 

 the like cases ; which, as far as he could judge from his own experience, might 

 always be safely done where there was no degree of inflammation already formed 

 on the integuments. 



The 2d species of hydrops articuli, or that where the extravasated fluid is con- 

 tained within the capsular ligament, may be distinguished from the first, from 

 its deep situation ; from the fluctuation which is felt on patting the knee on one 

 side, while the other hand is held immoveably on the opposite side ; from the 

 degree of pain arising from the distension, which the capsular ligament suffers 

 in consequence of its contents ; from the incapacity of bending the joint ; and 

 from the circumstance of its being attended with no general complaints of body 

 ^s well as from the sudden enlargement of the tumor ; on the increase of which 

 depends the degree of uneasiness in the part. This is very far from being the 

 case in that kind of disease called the spina ventosa, which arises originally from 

 the medulla and bone itself being diseased ; whence proceed grievous pricking 

 and throbbing pains, that usually come on previously to any visible enlargement 

 of the part affected, or any discoverable quantity of fluid deposited in the joint ; 

 the difference of which symptoms resulting from the different diseases, is seen 

 from the case which he describes, when it was judged necessary to cut more than 

 once through the capsular ligament, in order to evacuate its contained extra- 

 vasated fluid ; which, contrary to the commonly received opinion of wounds of 

 the ligaments being attended with certain destruction to the limb, should always 

 be done under the like bad circumstances, in reasonable expectation of removing 

 a complaint, which totally disables the patient, and too frequently terminates in 

 the loss of the limb when neglected. And Mr. W. was the more inclined to 

 recommend this practice, as he was convinced that this disease is out of the 

 reach of such applications, as are of service in other diseases of these parts, 



