Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Narrative Of The Sufferings Of Lieutenant George Spearing,
condition I was certain that it was not possible for me to hold out half the time ; and knowing that I must be a very great cripple with the loss of my heel-bone , I came to a determined resolution" to have my leg taken off , and appointed the very next day for the operation ; but no surgeon came near me . I sincerely believe they wished to perform a cure ; but be ng , as I thought , the best judge of own feelingsI was resolved this time to be guided by my
my , own opinion ; accordingly , on the zd of May , 1770 , my leg was taken off a little below the knee . Yet , notwithstanding 1 had so long endured the rod of affliction , misfortunes still followed me . About three hours after the amputation had been performed , and when I was quiet in bed , I found myself nearly fainting with the loss of bloodthe ligatures had all iven wayand the arteries had
; g , bled a considerable time before it was discovered . By this time the wound was inflamed ; nevertheless I was under the necessity of once more submitting to the operation of the needle , and the principal artery was sewed up fl . > . ' different times before , the blood was stopped . I suffered much for two or three days , not daring to take a wink of sleep ; for , ' the moment I shut my eyes ; my stump
( though constantly held by the nerve ) would take such convulsive motions , that I really think a stab to the heart could not be attended with greater pain . My blood too was become so very poor and thin , that it absolutely drained through the wound hear a fortnight after my leg was cut off . I lay for eighteen days and nig hts in one position , not daring to move lest the ligature should and ventured to
again give way ; but I could endure it no longer , turn myself in bed , contrary to the advice of my surgeon , which I happily effected , and never felt greater pleasure in my life . Six weeks after the amputation , I went out in a sedan chair for the benefit of the air , being exactly nine months from the day I fell into the pit . Soon after I took lodg ings in the country ; where getting plenty Of warm new mijk , my appetite and strength increased daily ; and to this day , I bless God , I do enjoy perfect health ; and I have since been the happy father of nine children .
GEORGE SPEARING . Greenwich Hospital , Aug . 1 , i : 793-P . S . Theabove Narrative is a plain simple matter of fact
. , and affords a very useful lesson to mankind , viz . never to give way to despondency , be their situation ever so deplorable : let them confidently rely on Almighty Providence , and I sincerely wish , and doubt not , jbut their misfortunes will terminate as happily as mine , G , S » Pf
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Narrative Of The Sufferings Of Lieutenant George Spearing,
condition I was certain that it was not possible for me to hold out half the time ; and knowing that I must be a very great cripple with the loss of my heel-bone , I came to a determined resolution" to have my leg taken off , and appointed the very next day for the operation ; but no surgeon came near me . I sincerely believe they wished to perform a cure ; but be ng , as I thought , the best judge of own feelingsI was resolved this time to be guided by my
my , own opinion ; accordingly , on the zd of May , 1770 , my leg was taken off a little below the knee . Yet , notwithstanding 1 had so long endured the rod of affliction , misfortunes still followed me . About three hours after the amputation had been performed , and when I was quiet in bed , I found myself nearly fainting with the loss of bloodthe ligatures had all iven wayand the arteries had
; g , bled a considerable time before it was discovered . By this time the wound was inflamed ; nevertheless I was under the necessity of once more submitting to the operation of the needle , and the principal artery was sewed up fl . > . ' different times before , the blood was stopped . I suffered much for two or three days , not daring to take a wink of sleep ; for , ' the moment I shut my eyes ; my stump
( though constantly held by the nerve ) would take such convulsive motions , that I really think a stab to the heart could not be attended with greater pain . My blood too was become so very poor and thin , that it absolutely drained through the wound hear a fortnight after my leg was cut off . I lay for eighteen days and nig hts in one position , not daring to move lest the ligature should and ventured to
again give way ; but I could endure it no longer , turn myself in bed , contrary to the advice of my surgeon , which I happily effected , and never felt greater pleasure in my life . Six weeks after the amputation , I went out in a sedan chair for the benefit of the air , being exactly nine months from the day I fell into the pit . Soon after I took lodg ings in the country ; where getting plenty Of warm new mijk , my appetite and strength increased daily ; and to this day , I bless God , I do enjoy perfect health ; and I have since been the happy father of nine children .
GEORGE SPEARING . Greenwich Hospital , Aug . 1 , i : 793-P . S . Theabove Narrative is a plain simple matter of fact
. , and affords a very useful lesson to mankind , viz . never to give way to despondency , be their situation ever so deplorable : let them confidently rely on Almighty Providence , and I sincerely wish , and doubt not , jbut their misfortunes will terminate as happily as mine , G , S » Pf