1. The history of foreign bodies divides itself naturally into two
great sections; the one includes those that are introduced from
without; the other such as are formed within our own systems. This
latter section may be again divided into two classes; to the first
class belong bodies altogether inorganic, such as the different
kinds of stones; to the second, those which are truly organic, and
become foreign only by being situated in places where they impede
the functions, such as cartilaginous or bony productions, existing
accidentally within the joints.
On the subject of the latter class, art is much more deficient than she
is with regard to the former. Let us endeavour to assist her a little,
by giving a sketch of the opinions and practice of Desault with respect
to these productions.
2. Before his time, the surgery of France appears to have contained
scarcely a record of this affection. Described only in some ancient
works, such as the writings of Pare, it had been forgotten by the
moderns, when numerous instances of it were suddenly met with by
English and German surgeons, and soon afterwards by Desault, who
illustrated and confirmed the practice of his predecessors in it, and
even added something of his own.
3. All the joints may become the seat of these concretions; Haller
found many of them in that of the lower jaw; Bell mentions, as a very
rare occurrence, their existence at the junction of the foot with the
leg. Some authors have met with them in the wrist; but none are more
common, or merit more particular attention, than those that exist in
the joint of the knee. To these alone shall the following observations
be confined, because these alone have fallen under the notice of
Desault.
§ II.