Nulla unquam de morte hominis cunctatio longa est.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]Le Manuel du Chirurgien d'Armée; or, The Art of methodically curing Gunshot Wounds, &c. By L. L. M. C. Printed for Houry, at Paris. My edition is the second, published 1693.
A TABLE OF THE SECTIONS.
| Inutility of amputation of the limbs. | Page |
|---|---|
| [I.] The author's design in this treatise. | 1 |
| [II.] What afforded him the first hints. | 2 |
| [III.] What encouraged his inquiries. | 3 |
| [IV.] Motives which induced him to write this treatise. | 4 |
| [V.] Subject of the dissertation. | 6 |
| [VI.] Accidents which are supposed to render amputation necessary, viz. mortification, shattered limbs, violent contusion, wounds of the large vessels, caries of the bone, cancer. | 7 |
| [VII.] Internal medicines; remarks on the use of the bark in mortifications. Questions by M. Tissot with respect to two cases. | 9 |
| [VIII.] External applications; incisions on the parts affected, manner of performing them. | 12 |
| [IX.] Separation of the dead from the sound flesh, without cutting to the quick; nicety of this operation. | 15 |
| [X.] Manner of dressing the wounds, and the bones, when affected. | 17 |
| [XI.] Continuation. | 19 |
| [XII.] Scarifications round the mortified Part. | Ibid. |
| [XIII.] Doctrine of the ancients and several moderns with respect to fomentations, confirmed. Forms answering to different intentions. | Ibid. |
| [XIV.] Alteration of the condition of wounds; time to administer the bark. | 25 |
| [XV.] Manner of giving it. | Ibid. |
| [XVI.] Sequel of the external treatment; formation of pus. | 27 |
| [XVII.] Conjecture on S. G.'s manner of performing cures. | 30 |
| [XVIII.] Reflections on the abuse of amputation, its inexpediency when the mortification proceeds from an internal cause. | 31 |
| [XIX.] Of a mortification in consequence of an external accident; impropriety of amputation demonstrated; the proper treatment. | 33 |
| [XX.] Shattered limbs the second case, fracture of the bone; common treatment. | 39 |
| [XXI.] Method proposed by Mr. Bilguer; external applications. | 42 |
| [XXII.] Remarks on the same subject; internal medicines. | 46 |
| [XXIII.] Fevers, their cause, danger, method of cure. | 47 |
| [XXIV.] Gunshot wounds, wounds of the joints. | 50 |
| [XXV.] Sequel of the method of cure. | 54 |
| [XXVI.] Success of the author's method. | 57 |
| [XXVII.] Calculation in his favour. | 59 |
| [XXVIII.] Sequel of the calculation. | 63 |
| [XXIX.] Of the amputation of the thigh. | Ibid. |
| [XXX.] Of contusion, the third case. | 68 |
| [XXXI.] Sequel of contusion. | 69 |
| [XXXII.] Method of cure. | 74 |
| [XXXIII.] Continuation of the method of cure. | 75 |
| [XXXIV.] Impatience of the sick under the new method; steady perseverance of the surgeon requisite; care of his Prussian Majesty to prevent useless mutilations of the soldiers[2]. | 77 |
| [XXXV.] Limbs carried off; wounds of the large blood vessels, the fourth case requiring amputation. | 78 |
| [XXXVI.] Cases which confirm Mr. Bilguer's method. | 91 |
| [XXXVII.] Continuation. | |
| [XXXVIII.] Caries of the bone, fifth case; the cure. | 92 |
| [XXXIX.] Different ways of relieving this ailment. | 96 |
| [XL.] Cancer of the parts, sixth case; inutility of amputation. | 98 |
| [XLI.] Conclusion of the work. | 102 |
FOOTNOTES:
[2] It was rumoured at Paris during the war, that the King of Prussia forbid the mutilation of his soldiers from other motives than those of humanity. Idle people spent their time in declaiming against such barbarity, and thus ignorantly prejudiced the minds of people against Mr. Bilguer's method. I have heard able surgeons hint this objection, when I spoke to them concerning the present work. They acknowledged, nevertheless, that amputations had been too common in the French armies. I hope the publication of this little book will have two effects; the first is, to re-establish the truth, and the second is, to awaken in those surgeons, the feelings of humanity.