674 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1755. 



over his body ; especially in his left side, below the short ribs, in the breast, 

 mouth, and throat. He said likewise, as well as he could, with a hoarse 

 voice, scarcely to be heard, that melted lead had run down his throat into 

 his body. 



Having taken the proper care of his right leg, which was much bruised and 

 cut on the tibia, Mr. S. examined his body, and found it all covered with livid 

 spots and blisters; and the left side of the head and face, with the eye extremely 

 burnt; which having washed with linen dipped in an emollient fomentation, and 

 having applied things used in cases of burning, he then inspected his throat, the 

 root of his tongue, and the parts contiguous, as the uvula, tonsils, &c. which 

 were greatly scorched by the melted lead. He ordered him to drink frequently 

 of water-gruel or some such draught ; and returning to his own house, sent him 

 the oily mixture, of which he took often 2 or 3 spoonfuls. 



The next day he was much worse, all the symptoms of his case being height- 

 ened, with a weak pulse ; and he could now scarcely swallow at all. The day fol 

 lowing there was no change, except that, on account of his too great costive- 

 ness, he took 6 drs. of manna dissolved in 1^ oz. of infusion of senna, which 

 had no effect till the day following ; when just as a clyster was going to be ad- 

 ministered, he had a very fetid discharge by stool. That day he was better till 

 night, when he became very feverish. The next day, having slept well the pre- 

 ceding night, and thrown up by coughing a little matter, he was much better. 

 He began now to speak with less difficulty, and for 3 or 4 days to recover gra- 

 dually ; but then suddenly got worse ; his pulse being very weak : his sides 

 which grew worse daily from the first, now reddened a little and swelled; to 

 which Mr. S. applied the gum-plaster. But all methods proved ineffectual, for 

 the next day, being seized with cold sweats and spasms in the tendons, he 

 soon expired. 



Examining the body, and making an incision through the left abdomen, Mr. 

 S. found the diaphragmatic upper mouth of the stomach greatly inflamed and 

 ulcerated, and the tunica in the lower part of the stomach burnt ; and from the 

 gi-eat cavity of it he took out a large piece of lead of the weight of 7 oz. 3 drs. 

 18 grs. and of the shape of the bottom of the stomach. 



It will perhaps be thought difficult to explain the manner, by which the lead 

 entered the stomach : but the account which the deceased gave, was, that as he 

 was endeavouring to extinguish the flames, which were at a considerable height 

 over his head, the lead of the lantern being melted dropped down, before he 

 was aware of it, with great force into his mouth, then lifted up and open ; and 

 that in such a quantity, as to cover not only his face, but all his clothes. 

 ji Further Accoimt of the Preceding Case. By Mr. Spry. p. 480. 



Some persons having suspected the accuracy of Mr. S.'s statement in the pre- 



