209 
the Structure of the Tongue , &c. 
succeeded by a similar slough ; this separated on the 15th day. 
The excavation after this gradually filled up ; and, on the 20th 
day, it was completely cicatrized, leaving only a small fissure 
on that side of the tongue. 
Encouraged by the result of this case, I was led to perform a 
similar operation upon a person at a more advanced period of life. 
Margaret Dalton, 40 years of age, was admitted into St. 
George’s hospital, on the 25th of December, 1801, on account of 
a tumour, the size of a pea, situated on the right side of the 
tongue, near its edge. The history of the case was as follows. A 
small pimple appeared, and gradually increased, without pain ; 
the only inconvenience was, that it affected her speech, and, 
when bruised by the teeth, bled freely. 
The operation was performed on the 11th of January, 1802, 
in exactly the same manner as has been already described. It 
produced a considerable degree of salivation, which was ex- 
tremely troublesome, (much more so than the pain the ligatures 
produced,) and continued till the slough came away. The 
ligature nearest the root of the tongue separated on the 6th 
day ; the other on the 7th ; and, in three days after the sepa- 
ration of the second ligature, the wound was completely skinned 
over. 
A third case of this kind came under my observation, in which 
there was a small tumour in the substance of the tongue, about 
the size of a pea, which gave me the idea of its being of that 
kind which might terminate in cancer. The patient was a gen- 
tleman of about 41 years of age. Upon examining the tumour, 
I told him of my alarm respecting its nature ; and at the same 
time added, that 1 was very ready to remove it, should it be 
mdccciii. E e 
