was too forward for repercussion,[1] and yet not likely to suppurate in less than a week's time. Wherefore I endeavored by emollients and some discutients to succour the grieved shoulder and parts thereabout by hindering the increase of the phlegmon, and to give some perspiration to the part. Then with good fomentations I corroborated the weak and oedematous member below; in which end I also raised his hand nearer to his breast. Also by detergents and bandage I disposed the wounds and fractured part to a better condition, made way for discharge of matter, and endeavored to extract the shivers of bones; then applied medicaments to remove the caries. After some days the abscess suppurated in the upper part of the shoulder and in the armpit; and while the matter discharged from thence, the tumour discussed, and that upper orifice cured soon after. But the continual pain in the fractured joint kept that opening in the axilla from healing. The patient growing weaker, and without hopes of cure, I was necessitated to proceed to amputation. To which purpose I sent to Chester to Mr. Murry, a knowing chirurgeon (since Mayor of that city), to come with instruments and other necessaries, whereby I might the better do the work. He accordingly came, and we prepared dressings ready; which were stupes or pledgits of fine short tow well worked, some like splenia [bandages], others were round, and bigger or less. We wetted them all in oxycrate [water and vinegar], and dried them; et cetera. . . .
The apparatus thus made, and the patient some while before refreshed with a good draught of caudle [a hot drink made of spiced and sugared wine], his friends took him out of his bed, and placed him in a chair toward the light. One of his servants held his arm; another of his friends held his other hand. Then Mr. Murry drew up the skin and museulous flesh of the arm towards the shoulder, whilst I made a strong bandage, some three or four fingers' breadth, above the affected part. Then with a good knife I cut off the flesh by a quick turn of my hand, Mr. M. pulling up the flesh, whilst I bared the bones.[2] After which, with as few motions of my saw [as possible], I separated the bone[s], the patient not so much as whimpering the while. After this Mr. Murry thrusting his hands downwards with the museulous flesh and skin which he had drawn upwards, I passed a strong needle and thread through the middle of the flesh and skin on both sides, within half
