An address delivered at the annual meeting of the Bath and Bristol District Branch of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, held at Bath, June 29th, 1854 / by John Smith Soden.

  • Soden, John Smith, 1780-1863.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address delivered at the annual meeting of the Bath and Bristol District Branch of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, held at Bath, June 29th, 1854 / by John Smith Soden. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    oiir iinhappy country^ the plague made, in many places, its ravages. Amongst others, it attacked Dunstei, in the county of Somerset. It had been introduced from without; some of the common sol- diers it killed at once, plague spots having suddenly broken but:' Others also it attacked. There was a certain surgeon, who had returned from a long travel in foreign parts ; he was then serving as a common soldier; he earnestly entreated the Governor • to let him do his best for the reHef of his fellow-sol- diers who weriB seized with this terrible disease ; the Governor gave him leave. He bled the patients straight ofi the moment the disease seized them, and before any tumour appeared. He took an enormous quantity of blood, keeping on until they were unable to stand on their feet; they stood whilst they were bled : it was done in the open air. There were no vessels to catch or measure the blood : the soil served for basin. He sent them, after this, to lie down in their tents ; he used no remedy beyond bleeding. He treated a great number in this manner ; and, strange to say, not one died. I had this from a man of equal probity and truth—Mr. Francis Wyndham, captain in the army, and governor of the castle, being my informant.^- I fear T have wearied you with these long sto- ries. I am aware that the works of former authors are but of fashion. Nothing is much regarded in this utilitarian age that is merely curious and amusing. That only is esteemed which is conducive to practical utility. I confess, however, that I often derive amuse- * Sydenbam Socioty Edition, vol. i., page iii.