The case of the late James Keil, Dr. of Physick / Represented by John Rushworth of Northampton, surgeon.

  • Rushworth, John, 1669-1736.
Date:
1719
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The case of the late James Keil, Dr. of Physick / Represented by John Rushworth of Northampton, surgeon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ■ / II.14.3 Now I perfectly Defponded : But a Friend and Kinfman of the Dr’s, a Surgeon of no fmal] Repu¬ tation, allured him, that he had known, when other Methods failed, a Mercurial Fumigation had anfwered: And what is it that a rational Man will not try to prevent the Excruciating Pains of a Cancer? When the Dr. mentioned this to me, I confefs’d I knew nothing of that Pra&ice, and always had an ill Opinion of the Fumes of Mercury : And he alfo own’d to me, that he was wholly unacquainted with it; but finished in his Friend, and therefore would try it: He began the Courle according to his Friends Directions; I never pretended to order any thing afterwards; but however (till frequently Vifited my Good Friend, tho’ with an akeing Heart. The Fumigation not only made him Spit, whilfl he was ufing it, but alfo for fome Hours after¬ wards ; and the Patient continued toufeitfor feveral Days, but without any good EfTeCl upon the Ulcer. In about Ten Days alter he had left off the Fumigation, a very hard Tumor began to arife, upon the Mufcles of the lower Part of the Face and Neck, andincreafed very faff, and in a very fhort Time fpread it felf from Ear to Ear: and, by the Bulk, in a great meafure prevented his Swallowing, and foon Suffocated Him. He was Chearful, and to all outward Appearance tolerably Eafy to the Lafl, and had what he now defired, a gentle Releafe, July 16. 1719- And thus, to the Misfortune of Mankind, it is manifeff to me, that Mercury is not adequate to this Herculean Diffemper: but however, this Gale, and That I mentioned before to the Dr. gives me good Re a Ion to believe, that UMercu- , rials