The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a private Letter from Paris, Aug. 13.

In all Probability, Sir, you will be glad to have a particular and authentick Account of the Secret which has been lately discovered here, by one Mr. Broard, a Country Surgeon in Berry, for stopping any Effusion of Blood upon the Amputation of a Limb, without making any Ligation.

In order to ascertain the Fact, an Experiment was made in the Royal Hopital of Invalids, upon the cutting off a Leg, another at the Hopital of Charity, and a third of an Aneurism, all in the Presence of Mr. de la Martiniere, his Most Christian Majesty's First Surgeon, who approved the Operation of the Topic, and appointed certain eminent Surgeons to receive Mr. Brosard's Declaration, when he gave them this Description of his Specifick, viz.

Agaricus pedis equini facie Int. R. H. 562. Fungus durus ve ignarius. Park. 1323. (fig. mal.) in caudicibus nascens, ungis equini figura, C. B. Pin. 372. 3 F. arboreo ad ellis chinian, I. B. 3. 840.

The Author of this Discovery suggests, that the best Agaric is to be found upon old Oaks that have been lopped, ought to be carefully gathered in the Months of August and September, and is to be kept constantly in a dry Place. As to the Manner in which he uses his Specifick, it is thus:

He first takes off the outward Bark of the Agaric with a Knife, under which lies a spongy fungous Substance, that feels to the Touch not unlike Buff, this being taken out, it is beat a little, 'till it may be easily teazed between the Fingers. This being done, so much of it is applied to the Wound, as may something more than cover it; on this he lays a broader Piece of the a. e. Stuff, and over that a proper Bandage. This Sir, is the whole Affair, for which he has received a Gratuity and a Pension.

I am, &c.