This success, partly owing to the efforts of nature, and partly to the
means employed by art, strongly encouraged me almost never to have
recourse to amputation, but to try every kind of remedy, internal as
well as external, calculated to preserve the lives as well as the
limbs of the unfortunate sufferers. My first attempts, so far from
being unfavourable, confirmed me more and more in the opinion, that
parts which have sustained the most considerable injuries, will much
oftener get well than what is commonly believed: And although this
opinion does not seem to be countenanced by many eminent physicians and
surgeons; although I do not flatter myself I shall be able to induce
them to alter their sentiments, I hope nevertheless, that some others,
encouraged by my example, and this account of my success, will have
the courage to follow the same method, and that their authority may
afterwards contribute to convince the most incredulous.