This medicine is principally of service in cases where, on account of the proximity of the bones, we would not chuse too plentiful a suppuration. FOOTNOTES: [14] This precept, of which the very reverse is but too frequently practised, is of very great consequence: It is founded upon this, that a discharge of blood proves that an incision has reached the quick; now every such incision produces an inflammation, which retards the suppuration already begun, and hence we interrupt this operation of nature which we meant to promote, and, as it is the means of preventing a mortification, whatever interrupts it contributes to the disease: It cannot, therefore, be too often repeated, that in general, incisions which cause a discharge of blood, ought never to be practised after a suppuration is begun. TISSOT. SECT. XVII. It was probably by some such application, that S** G**** cured a man whose arm was mortified, and whom the physicians and surgeons had given up; a cure which appears to me much less wonderful than what is imagined. The physicians and surgeons despaired of his recovery, and quitted him, because he would not submit to amputation, at the very time when, doubtless, the separation of the sound and mortified parts began to take place, owing either to the force of nature or the medicines they had administered, and when granulations of new flesh began to shoot. It was easy for S** G****, called in at this instant, to effect a cure, by means of his quieting powders and balsam. What is most astonishing in this case, and deserves at the same time to excite our indignation, is the obstinacy and the cruelty of the physicians; but they were sufficiently punished for it. SECT. XVIII. This is not the only instance of patients in whose cases physicians and surgeons have pronounced amputation to be unavoidable, and who, upon their refusing to submit to it, have afterwards been cured by very simple treatment. This ought to be a lesson for us never to be too precipitate in having recourse to this operation. But what must be done, they will say, when every medicine has failed? Is it not better, in such a situation, to try a doubtful remedy, as Celsus expresses it, than to do nothing?