If the contusion has caused a mortified slough, and has at the same time shattered the bone, we must begin by separating the dead slough from the sound parts, with a scalpel; we must make deep incisions, and neglect no means proper for promoting the discussion or suppuration; and the fracture of the bone must be treated agreeably to the method recommended § XXIV. This case requires great vigilance in the care of it, and we find ourselves amply recompensed for our labour, by the pleasure of accomplishing the cure of these unfortunate patients, either compleat, or at least as much so, as can possibly be obtained in their situation. There is at present at the hospital at Torgau, a soldier who had been grievously wounded; the shoulder and arm were very bad, from the extravasation the contusion had occasioned; the scapula and clavicle were entirely shattered; the head of the os humeri dislodged from the glenoid cavity, and pushed downwards; the ligaments having been too violently stretched, now hung loose; and the neighbouring parts, deeply bruised, were covered with a black slough, like a mortification. The contusion and double fracture of the shoulder blade and clavicle are compleatly cured, the head of the os humeri never could be kept in its articulation, on account of the relaxation of the ligaments; the other symptoms are happily removed, but he has a cough, and almost constant fever, with its concomitant symptoms; whence we may conclude that matter is formed in some bowel, probably in the lungs, a consequence resulting from the contusion of the internal parts. FOOTNOTES: [40] An infusion of water-germander, and yarrow in water, with the addition of about a sixth or eighth of vinegar, is one of the most proper fomentations in such cases. TISSOT. SECT. XXXIV. Every one will easily conceive, that this method of curing limbs that are wounded, fractured and shattered by gun-shot, such as I have been hitherto describing, is accompanied with a great deal of pain, and with murmurs and impatience on the part of the sick; that it requires a very judicious surgeon, and gives him abundance of trouble, care and anxiety; besides, I do not pretend that every patient was saved by it: The following lines are applicable on the occasion: _Non est in medico semper relevetur ut æger, Interdum docta plus valet arte malum._