Upon Opening it, there appeared to be nothing contained in it, but Blood; not in the least altered in Colour, Consistence, or Smell, from what is contained in the Vessels. The Tumour presently sunk very much, and I dilated the Incision with my Probe-Scissers, and pressed in some _Dossels_; and then told him, it was a fleshy Tumour, called a _Sarcoma_, and that the Blood contained in it was only accidental; and that the best way of extirpating it was by the actual _Cautery_; but I let him know, that I feared it would be more troublesome to him, and take longer Time to cure, than he seemed to expect. We presently sent for the best _Instrument-Maker_ the Country afforded, and gave him Directions: But that Night: talking with him of his Case, I desired him to consider, Whether it might not be thought a Slight, by the Learned of both Professions, if I should Perform the Operation, upon a Man of his Character, without a Consultation; there being no Reason (but the Loss of his Time) to be in haste. At first he seemed unwilling to lose so much Time, yet upon Consideration, he resolved for _London_ the next Day, where several _Physicians_ and _Surgeons_ were consulted; they all agreed, it was a simple _Sarcoma_, and that the actual _Cautery_ was the properest, if not the only means of curing it. This Account I received from the Doctor by Letter; as also, that the _Surgeons_, upon probing, found the Bone bare, and from the ill Smell concluded it was foul: “Which, said the Doctor it was impossible for you to discover; because after I left _Northampton_, Two _Dossels_ of the first Dressing dropt out.” I was very glad to hear That, for those _Dossels_ lodging so long, in that warm Part, I was in hopes might be the Occasion of the fœtid Smell; which the _Surgeons_, not being acquainted with, might fairly be induced to take for that of a foul Bone: Which I mentioned to the Doctor by the first return of the Post; and also, that I was farther encouraged in that Hope, by considering that the Blood, that was discharged at the first Opening, was not at all altered, neither was any Smell perceived, until after the lodging of those _Dossels_. Whether the Doctor ever mentioned this my Opinion, to the _Surgeons_ in Town, I know not; but when he returned to me, to have the Operation performed, he seemed discouraged by the Opinion the _Surgeons_ gave of the Bones being foul. But I thought I might make bold to confirm him, in my former Opinion, the ill Smell ceasing without the Assistance of Medicines. The Consequence proved the Assertion: For when, by several Applications of the _Cauteries_, I had removed the whole Tumor, it was plain to me, the Bone was not affected; and the Part healed as smooth, and with as much Ease, and in as short a Time, as ever I met any thing of that Nature, and the Doctor continued well, without the least Disorder or Complaint, a Year and about Eight Months.