SURGEON TO THE HOSPITAL. GENTLEMEN,—A hand crushed by machinery, lately admitted into this hospital, and operated on by me, gives a text for some observations on partial amputations. To many of you, who, in all probability, will settle down as provincial surgeons, this subject is of the greatest importance, for upon your knowledge and judgment will often depend the fate of a hand smashed by the accidental discharge of firearms or the explosion of the gunpowder-flask. I am quite certain, even

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... m what I have seen in this hospital, that many a hand has been sacrificed which might have been partially saved. I will now read to you the notes of the case taken by the dresser, Mr. Drake:-Henry S-, aged thirty-seven, engine-driver, was admitted into Abraham ward at half-past eight A.M., on the 15th of Oct., 1858, having smashed his hand in some cog-wheels of an engine. When admitted he was bleeding profusely, and pressure on the brachial artery was necessary to arrest it. On ex. amination, the index, middle, and ring fingers of the right hand were found to be completely smashed. The thumb had wholly escaped, and the little finger partially so, there being here merely laceration, with some bruising at the last phalanx. There was also laceration extending into the palm of the hand for some distance. I immediately amputated the three smashed tingers; but retained the thumb and little finger. The flaps were brought together, and a roller applied. There was subsequently slight haemorrhage, which was easily stopped by the application of ice, and keeping the hand in an upright posture. Forty minims of tincture of opium were ordered immediately, with two ounces of brandy, and beef-tea. Oct. 16th.-The patient passed a tolerable night, and appeared easy this morning. 18th.-The was changed yesterday, and a few small sloughs appeared at the edge of the wound. When I saw him, I ordered rhubarb and calomel powder, one scruple, and senna mixture in the morning.