Nova et Vetera
1902; BMJ; Volume: 2; Issue: 2174 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1136/bmj.2.2174.622
ISSN0959-8138
Tópico(s)Classical Antiquity Studies
ResumoPROFESSOR CORFIELD has drawn our attention to what is probably the first account of a necropsy made on the body of a victim of the Great Plague of London.The report is con- tained in a curious little work which Dr. Corficld, with a generosity somewhat uncommon in collectors of rare books, kindly placed at our disposal.The title page will serve as a summary of the contents of the book: the poifon being therewitlh excluded, and the Arcbeus of the Stomack redeemed from captivity.At the fame time there lay a Servant of Mr. Picks, a youth about 75 yeares of age, labouring under moft horrid fymptomes, raving as it were extimulated by fome Fury; wihich Tragical Interlude was quickly terminated by a mortal cataftrophe.Upon tlhis, I took occafion to requeft by then recovering Patient hiis Mafler, to grant me liberty to open this defunct body; for my ow;a inftruction, and the fatisfaction of all inquifitive perfons, to whiclh, having given him fome perfwafive reafons to that purpofe, he firait condefcended, yet nlot without fome jealoufie and kind fear leaft I fhould do myfelf injusy; upon his conceffton L being much exlhilarated in my fpirits, having obtained that defire which was ofteni denyed me by thofe who pretended feveral flight excufes, I girt up my felf witlh all expedition, getting in readinefs wlhat inftruments were fitting, witlh a porringer containing Sulplhur to bturn under the Corps, wilich was at that tinme placed in the open air in a yard there adjacent, which for feveral refpects was very convenient; and for my better accommodation, a Servant by the permiffion of the forefaid MafteT was ready to afford me his fervice, in opening the Coffin nailed up, and :adminiftering fome other tlhings neceffary for my defign.The hiead of the Coffin being taken off, and the linnen cleated away, I could not but admire, to behold a fkin fo befet with fpots black and blew, more remarkable for multitude and magnitude than any that I have yet feen; fosne of which beinig opened, conteined a con- gealed matter, in one more fhallow, and in another more deep.Here I conceived
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