The method of curing vvounds made by gun-shot Also by arrowes and darts, with their accidents. Written by Ambrose Parie of Laual, counsellor and chiefe chirurgean to the French King. Faithfully done into English out of the French copie, by Walter Hamond chirurgean.

CHAP. I. The diuision of woundes, according to the diuersitie both of the offended parts, & the Bullets where∣by they were made.

ALl Wounds made by Gunshot on the body of man, whether they be simple, or compounded with dilaceration, contusion, distemperature, and tumor, are made some in the noble parts, others in the ignoble parts; some in the fleshie parts, and others in the Neruous and bony parts; sometimes with ruption and dilaceration of the great vessels, as of the Veines and Arteries, and sometimes without ruption of them. Such kinde

of wounds are also sometimes superficiall, but most commonly profound and deepe, yea,* 1.1 euen to the penetrating through the body & members of them that receiue them.

Another diuersity is taken according to the differences of the Bullets: amongest the which, some are great, some in a meane substance, and some are small as Haile shot: whereof the matter (which is ordinarily but of Lead) is somtimes tur∣ned into Steele, Iron, or Tin, rarely into Siluer, but neuer into Gold. According to the which differences, the Chirurgian ought to take diuers Indications to operate, and according to them to diuersifie the remedies. Now we ought not to iudge those great accidents which happen in these wounds to proceede from the combustion of the Bullet, nor from the venonosity or other ill qua∣lity of the ponder, because of the aforesaide Rea∣sons alledged in the precedent Discourses, but because of the contusion, dilaceration, and fracti∣on which is made thorough the violence of the Bullet in the neruous and bony parts. For when it hapneth that the Bullet toucheth onely but the fleshy parts, and in bodies of good temperature,* 1.2 I haue found those Woundes heeretofore to bee as little rebellious in their curations, and as easie to handle as those which are made by anie Instru∣ment of that kinde; I meane such which make a round and contused wound, or of such a figure which the shot maketh: and therefore it is most necessary that there bee a greater regard had to

the symptomes or accidents of the contusion, di∣laceration, fracture of the bones and euill quali∣ty of the incompassing aire, then to the combu∣stion which is thought to proceed from the Bul∣let, or venenosity of the powder, because of the reasons a••oresaide. This I thought good to pub∣lish to the world to ayde yong and new Practiti∣oners in Chirurgery, in the same manner & Me∣thod which I haue my selfe experimented in fol∣lowing the warres,* 1.3 hauing therein continued for the space of forty yeares. Wherein I protest I haue followed the counsel of Physitians and peo∣ple of my profession, such as were most renowned and approoued both by their doctrine and long experience: concerning whom I doe assure my selfe, that they do know more then my writinges can containe. And therefore I write not for them, but for the yong Prentises in this Art, & for such as want better meanes to helpe them in vrgent ca∣ses proceeding from these saide wounds, whome neuerthelesse I aduise to take the counsell of the Chirurgian, if his owne reason and experience do not guide him in his operations.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Differenc••s taken from the matter of Bullets.
• * 1.2

  F••omwhēce proceedeth the malig∣nity of woundes made by Gunshot.
• * 1.3

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