Two things, _viz._ whether they penetrate into the Cavity of the _Thorax_ or not, which may be discover'd by the Probe, and by a Wax-Candle lighted, and apply'd to the Entrance of the Wound, obliging the Patient to return to the same Posture wherein he receiv'd the Hurt, as also to keep his Nose and Mouth shut: For then the Flame may be perceiv'd to be wavering, the Orifice of the Opening being full of {152} Bubbles; a Judgment may be also made from the running out of the Blood. _What is to be done when it is certainly known that the Wound penetrates into the Cavity of the Breast?_ It is necessary to examine what Part may be hurt, by considering the situation of the Wound, and its Symptoms: If the Lungs are pierc'd, a spitting of froathy Vermilion-colour'd Blood ensues, with difficulty of Respiration, and a Cough. If any of the great Vessels are open'd, the wounded Person feels a Weight at the bottom of his Breast, is seiz'd with cold Sweats, being scarce able to fetch his Breath, and Vomits Blood, some Portion whereof issueth out of the Wound. If the _Diaphragm_ or Midriff be cut in its Tendinous Part, he is suddenly hurry'd into Convulsions: And if the Heart be wounded either in its _Basis_ or Ventricles, he falls into a Swoon, and dies incontinently. But if the Probe doth not enter, and none of the above-mentiond Symptoms appear, it may be taken for granted that the Wound is of no great Consequence. _What is to be done when the Wound penetrates into the Chest, yet none of the Parts are hurt, only there is an Effusion of Blood over the _Diaphragm_?_ It is necessary to make an _Empyema_, or otherwise the diffus'd Blood in corrupting, wou'd inevitably cause an Inflammation, Gangrene, and Death it self. _What is an _Empyema_?_ It is an Operation whereby any sorts of Matter are discharg'd with which the Diaphragm is over-spread, by making a Puncture or Opening in the Breast. * * * * * {153} CHAP. V. _Of the particular Wounds of the lower Belly._ _What is to be done to know the quality of a Wound made in the lower Belly?_ It is requisite to make use of the Probe, to observe the situation of the Wound, and to take notice of all the Symptoms: For by the help of the Probe, one may discover whether it hath penetrated into the Cavity or not, after having enjoyn'd the Patient to betake himself to the same Posture wherein he was when he first receiv'd the Wound: By its situation a Conjecture may be made that such a particular Part may be hurt; and by a due Examination of the Symptoms, one may attain to an exact Knowledge. As for Example; It is known that one of the thick Guts is open'd, when the Hurt is found in the _Hypogastrium_, and the Excrements are voided at the Wound; as it is certain that one of the thin Guts is pierc'd, when the Wound appears in the Navel, and the Chyle issueth forth from thence; and so of the others. _What Method ought to be observ'd in curing Wounds in the lower Belly?_