Surgical cases and observations / [Richard Carmichael].

  • Carmichael, Richard, 1779-1849
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Surgical cases and observations / [Richard Carmichael]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    advice ; and as operation, however perilous the attempt, presented the only chance of saving his life, I fairly laid before him the hazard as well as the hopes involved in this bold measure. As a favourable indication, I stated that the result of the trial which had been made with caustic, af¬ forded a strong presumption, that the tumour was not of a cancerous or malignant nature; and, there* fore, afforded a very different prospect of success, than if it were otherwise and I added, that the knowledge at which the profession had arrived, since the last consultation, with respect to the possibility of tying the carotid artery, in case of necessity, enabled us to obviate the dangers of l}oemorrhage during the operation. Having visited the country, for the purpose of consulting Ins friends on the propriety of the mea¬ sure, and of settling his affairs, he returned with a determination to submit to the operation. This resolute temper of mind he maintained to the last, exerting, throughout, such a degree of intrepidi¬ ty and coolness, as could alone have enabled me * to prosecute the extirpation of a mass, such as I have described, situated in the midst of the most important veins, arteries, and nerves in the frame, and requiring my undivided attention for the space of an hour and upwards.