But instead of passing Threads cross-wise, to form a Handle, with which the Breast may be taken off, it wou'd be more expedient to make use of a sort of Forceps turn'd at both ends in form of a Crescent, after such a manner that those ends may fall one upon another when the Forceps are shut. Thus the Surgeon may lay hold on the Breast with these Forceps, and draw it off, after having cut it at one single Stroak with a very flat, crooked, and sharp Knife. Neither is it convenient to apply the Actual Cautery to stop the Hæmorrhage, because it is apt to break forth again anew, when the Escar is fall'n off,
When the Tumour is not as yet ulcerated, a Crucial Incision may be made in the Skin, without penetrating into the Glandulous Bodies; then the four Pieces of the Glandules being separated, the Cancerous Tumour may be held with the Forceps, and afterward cut off. If there be any Vessels swell'd, they may be bound before the Tumour is taken away; but if the Tumour sticks close to the Ribs, the Operation is not usually undertaken.
C H A P. IX.
Of the Operation of the Empyema.
This Operation is perform'd when it may be reasonably concluded that some corrupt Matter is lodg'd in the Breast, which may be perceiv'd by the weight that the Patient feels in fetching his Breath; being also sensible of the floating of the Matter when he turns himself from one side to another.
If the Tumour appears on the outside, the Abcess may be open'd between the Ribs; but if no external Signs are discern'd, the Surgeon may choose a more convenient place to make the Opening. Thus when the Patient is set upon his Bed, and conveniently supported, the Opening is to be made between the second and third of the Spurious Ribs, within four Fingers breadth of the Spine, and the lower Corner of the Omoplata; to this purpose the Skin is to be taken up a-cross, to cut it in its length, the Surgeon holding it on one side, and the Assistant on the other. The Incision is made with a streight Knife two or three Fingers breadth long, and the Fibres of the great Dorsal-Muscle are cut a-cross, that they may not stop the Opening. Then the Surgeon puts the Fore-Finger of his Left-hand into the Incision, to remove the Fibres, and divides the Intercostal Muscles, guiding the Point of the Knife with his Finger to pierce the Pleuron, for fear of wounding
the Lungs, which sometimes adhere thereto, the Opening being thus finish'd, if the Matter runs well, it must be taken out; but if not, the Fore-Finger must be put into the Wound, to disjoyn those Parts of the Lungs that stick to the Pleuron.