the abdomen, and two large bedsores were visible posteriorly—one near the root of the spine and the other somewhat higher up. Thus it was impossible for the patient to assume any posture in which he would be free from suffering. . . . All things considered, it did not seem to me that the Marquis could possibly recover from such a combination of bodily ills. Nevertheless, to give him some encouragement,—for he was very low in spirits,—I told him that, with the aid of God and the assistance of his regular medical attendants, I would soon have him on his feet again. . . .
After dinner, in the presence of the Duke of Ascot, a few friends of the family, and the assembled physicians and surgeons, I expressed considerable surprise that free openings had not been made in the Marquis's wounded thigh, in which bone caries and decomposition of the resulting discharge were already well established. The medical attendants replied that the patient was unwilling to submit to any such measures, and that he had even forbidden them to substitute clean linen bedclothes for those which were soiled and which had not been changed during the previous two months. . . .
When the consultation had come to an end and the local medical attendants had given their full approval of the different measures which I recommended, . . . I proceeded to carry them out without further delay.
Two or three hours after the completion of this operative work I instructed the house servants who were in immediate attendance upon the Marquis to place alongside his bed a second one equipped with a soft mattress, over which a fresh linen sheet, etc., had been spread. The transfer from one bed to the other was easily effected by a strong attendant, and when the change had been made the Marquis manifested great contentment. Two feather pillows were so placed under his back and loins that no pressure whatever would be made upon his bedsores. A refreshing sleep of four hours' duration followed the adoption of these different measures, and there was much rejoicing in the entire household.
After a course of treatment lasting several weeks, Paré
says:—
Under this treatment the fever steadily diminished, the pain grew
less and less, and the patient's strength increased. When the proper
moment arrived, I advised the Marquis to engage the services of
some musicians (players on stringed instruments) and one or two
comedians, in order that his spirits might be cheered by occasional
entertainments of this character. Already at the end of one month
