of the fluid blood in an aneurismal tumour. 1 93 
middle of the thigh, where it was taken up by Mr. Hunter 
in the first instance in which he performed that operation for 
the cure of popliteal aneurism, we learn that in those individuals 
liable to aneurism, the larger trunks are more disposed to 
ossification than common, and therefore the tying such trunks 
is attended with no inconsiderable risk of haemorrhage when 
the ligature comes away. 
From the present case of aneurism, and Mr. Hunter's, in 
which the success was complete, we find the contents of the sac 
are less readily absorbed than was believed. In proof of this, 
I have annexed a drawing of the natural size, taken from the 
remaining tumour of the popliteal artery of the patient on 
whom Mr. Hunter first took up the femoral artery for the 
cure of aneurism in the ham, in the year 1785. The patient 
died of a fever 20 months after the operation, which afforded 
an opportunity of ascertaining the slow progress that had 
been made in the absorption of the contents of the aneurismal 
sac.* 
From the statement that has been given, I trust that I have 
fully proved that the heated acu punctorium can coagulate 
the fluid blood contained in the aneurismal sac ; and in doing 
so, is not productive of any local or constitutional symptoms 
that should prevent its being employed for that purpose. 
* Vide Trans, of a Society for Promoting Med. and Chirurg. Knowledge, vol. i. 
p. 138. 
