Note 56 — A DISSERTATION ON THE Inutility of Amputation.

When the cancer is evidently the consequence of an external accident, neglected or injudiciously treated, amputation performed in time, may effect a cure; but when the disease has come on gradually, without being able to assign any external cause for it, I have almost constantly observed, although it be performed in time, it accelerates the patient's death; and sometimes after having been made undergo a degree of torture more painful than that of the cancer itself. It is hoped, that the virtues of hemlock will make the frequency of amputation in these cases be discontinued: It appears, however, by the conclusion of the section, that Mr. Bilguer had not seen Dr. Stork's pamphlet.