“‘Not enough,’ he said, with his hand on the patient’s breast; ‘stronger!’

“We obeyed.

“‘Stronger yet!’ he exclaimed.

“We told him we were exerting our entire strength.

“‘Two, then, to each limb,’ he said.

“It was done, (by the aid of long and very strong pieces of cloth-listing,) but proved insufficient.

“‘Three to each!’ he cried; ’the child will die; pull with all your force!  Stronger still!’”

“‘We cannot.’”

“‘Then four to each!’”

“He was obeyed.”

“‘Ah, that relieves,’ he said; ’the nerves resume their tone; the symptoms improve.  But do not relax the tension.’”

“Then again, after a pause,—­”

“’Strong! stronger!  The contractions increase.  Put all your strength to it.’”

Ultimately five persons were assigned to each band; and the nearest aided themselves by bracing their feet against the bed.  They continued their efforts during half an hour, sometimes pulling with all their strength, sometimes less strongly, as the physician observed the contraction of the nerves to increase or relax.  Finally he ordered the tension to be gradually diminished, in proportion as the convulsion passed off.

After a time this convulsion was succeeded by another, causing a sudden and alarming swelling of the chest.  “The girl stood leaning against a wall, and in that position he caused us, as had been our wont, to press with force on her chest.  This we did, interposing a small cushion composed of listing.  At first, I alone assisted.”  Then Dr. M——­ ordered three, four, five, ultimately even a greater number of persons, to aid them.  “The convulsion ceased gradually, and in the same proportion he caused us to diminish the pressure.”

“Afterwards the physician, having retired to another room, said to us, before going away, ’You would be homicides, gentlemen, if you did not render these succors; for the symptoms require them; and the girl would die, if you refused them.  There is nothing but what is natural in the relation between her state and these succors.’"[14]

Another example, occurring in 1740, and still more striking, because the case was that of a girl only three years of age, is given by Montgeron on the authority (among other witnesses) of Count de Novion, a near relative of the Duke de Gesvres, Governor of Paris.  The Count, having been present throughout this case, testifies from personal observation.

The child’s limbs, as in the previous example, were drawn up by violent convulsive movements, and the muscles became as it were knotted, causing extreme pain.  The little creature urgently begged that they would draw her legs and arms.  Moderate tension caused no diminution of the pain; violent tension, administered with fear and trembling, relieved her immediately.  She complained also of acute pain in the breast, which swelled to an alarming extent.  To remove this, nothing proved effectual but excessive pressure with the knee on the part affected.