The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latine and compared with the French. by Th: Johnson

The Voyage of Parpignan, 1543.

A Little while after Monsieur de Rohan tooke me with him poste, to the campe of Parpignan; being there, the enemy made a Sally forth, and came and inclosed three peeces of our Artillery, where they were beaten back, to the gates of the Citty: which was not done without hurting and killing many, and amongst the rest de Bris∣s••c, (who was then chiefe master of the Artillery) received a musket shot upon the shoulder: returning to his Tent, all the others that were hurt followed him, hoping to be drest by the Chirurgions, that ought to dresse them. Being come to his Tent and layd on his bed, the bullet was searched for by three or foure the most expert Chirurgions of the Army, who could not finde it, but sayd it was entred into his body.

In the end hee called for me, to see if I were more skilfull than them, because * 1.1 he had knowne me before in Piedmount: by and by I made him rise from his bed, and prayed him to put his body into that posture as it was then when hee received his hurt; which he did taking a javelin betweene his hands as he held the Pike in the skirmish. I put my hand about the wound, and found the bullet in the flesh, making a little tumor under the Omoplate: having found it I shewed them the place where it was, and it was taken out by Master Nicholas Lavernaut Chirurgion to Monsieur the Dolphin, who was the Kings Lievtenant in that army, yet notwithstanding the ho∣nour remained to me for finding of it.

I saw one thing of great remark, which is this: that a souldier in my presence gave to * 1.2 one of his fellowes a stroake with an Halbard upon the head, penetrating even to the left ventricle of the braine, without falling to the ground. Hee that

strooke him said, he had heard that he had cheated at Dice, and that he had drawne a great summe of money, and that it was his custome to cheate; I was called to dresse him, which I did as it were for the last, knowing well that he would quickly die: having drest him he returned all alone to his lodging, which was at least two hun∣dred paces distant: I bid one of his companions send for a Priest to dispose of the affaires of his soule; he helpt him to one who stayd with him to the last gaspe. The next day the patient sent for mee by his / shee friend in a boyes apparell to come to dresse him, which I would not doe, fearing hee should die under my hands; and to put it off, I sayd I must not take off the dressing till the third day, by reason hee would die though hee were never touched. The third day hee came staggering, and found me in my Tent accompanied with his wench, and prayed mee most affectio∣nately to dresse him: And shewed me a purse wherein he had an hundred or sixscore peeces of Gold, and that he would content me to my desire; for all that, yet not∣withstanding I left not off to deferre the taking off his dressing, fearing least hee should die at the same instant. Certaine Gentlemen desired me to goe dresse him, which I did at their request, but in dressing him he died under my hands in a Con∣vulsion. Now this Priest accompanied him untill death, who seazed upon the purse for feare least another should take it, saying, hee would say Masses for his soule. Moreover hee furnisht himselfe with his cloathes, and with all the rest of his things. I have recited this History as a monstrous thing, that the Souldier fell not to ground when he had received this great stroake, and was in good senses even till death. Soone after, the Campe was broken for divers causes; the one because we were advertized that foure companies of Spaniards were entred into Parpignam; the other, that the Plague begun much in our Campe, and it was told us by the peo∣ple of the countrey that shortly there would bee a great overflowing of the Sea, which might drowne us all; and the presage which they had, was a very great winde from Sea, which arose in such manner that there remained not one Tent which was not broken and overthrowne, for all the strength and diligence that could be given; and the Kitchins being all uncovered, the winde raised so the dust and sand which salted and poudred our meate, in such sort that wee could not eate it, so that wee were constrained to boile it in pots and other vessells well co∣vered.

Now we did not uncampe our selves in so good time, but that there were many Carts and Carters Mules, and Mule drivers drowned in the Sea, with great losse of baggage. The Campe broken, I returned to Paris.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Addresse of the Author.
• * 1.2

  History.