Sec. 416. A sixth Method, which I believe has never hitherto been attempted, but which may prove very useful in many Cases, when the Substances in the Passage are not too hard, and are very large, would be to fix a Worm (used for withdrawing the Charge of Guns that have been loaded) fast to a flexible Handle, with a waxed Thread fastened to the Handle, in Order to withdraw it, if the Handle slipt from the Worm; and by this Contrivance it might be very practicable, if the obstructing Substance was not too deep in the Passage of the Gullet, to extract it--It has been known that a Thorn fastened in the Throat, has been thrown out by laughing. Sec. 417. In the Circumstances mentioned Sec. 409, when it is more easy and convenient to push the obstructing Body downwards, it has been usual to make Use of Leeks, which may generally be had any where (but which indeed are very subject to break) or of a Wax-candle oiled, and but a very little heated, so as to make it flexible; or of a Piece of Whale-bone; or of Iron-Wire; one Extremity of which may be thickened and blunted in a Minute with a little melted Lead. Small Sticks of some flexible Wood may be as convenient for the same Use, such as the Birch-tree, the Hazel, the Ash, the Willow, a flexible Plummet, or a leaden Ring. All these Substances should be very smooth, that they may not give the least Irritation; for which Reason they are sometimes covered over with a thin Bit of Sheep's Gut. Sometimes a Sponge is fastened to one End of them, which, completely filling up the whole Passage, pushes down whatever Obstacle it meets with. In such Cases too, the Patient may be prompted to attempt swallowing down large Morsels of some unhurtful Substance, such as a Crust of Bread, a small Turnep, a Lettuce Stalk, or a Bullet, in Hopes of their carrying down the obstructing Cause with them. It must be acknowledged, however, that these afford but a feeble Assistance; and if they are swallowed without being well secured to a Thread, it may be apprehended they may even increase the Obstruction, by their own Stoppage. It has sometimes very happily, though rarely, occurred, that those Substances attempted to be detruded or thrust downwards, have stuck in the Wax-Candle, or the Leek, and sprung up and out with them: but this can never happen except in the Case of pointed Substances. Sec. 418. Should it be impossible to extract the Bodies mentioned Sec. 410, and all such as it must be dangerous to admit into the Stomach, we must then prefer the least of two Evils, and rather run the Hazard of pushing them down, than suffer the Patient to perish dreadfully in a few Moments. And we ought to scruple this Resolution the less, as a great many Instances have demonstrated, that notwithstanding several bad Consequences, and even a tormenting Death, have often followed the swallowing of such hurtful or indigestible Substances; yet at other times they have been attended with little or no Disorder.