{"id":"01KG8AMGMF1TT69CG5SQ0EFXGH","cid":"bafkreiakpeg423mqjyuln5vtxzx2g6dbh4kmgfu6alyijci5yhzwdqr55a","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":9756,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:36.274Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 2","source_file":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","start_line":9704,"text":"“Surgeon Sawyer, of the Buccaneer,” said Cuticle, drawing in his thin\r\nlower lip with vexation, and turning to a round-faced, florid, frank,\r\nsensible-looking man, whose uniform coat very handsomely fitted him,\r\nand was adorned with an unusual quantity of gold lace; “Surgeon Sawyer,\r\nof the Buccaneer, let us now hear _your_ opinion, if you please. Is not\r\namputation the only resource, sir?”\r\n\r\n“Excuse me,” said Sawyer, “I am decidedly opposed to it; for if\r\nhitherto the patient has not been strong enough to undergo the\r\nextraction of the ball, I do not see how he can be expected to endure a\r\nfar more severe operation. As there is no immediate danger of\r\nmortification, and you say the ball cannot be reached without making\r\nlarge incisions, I should support him, I think, for the present, with\r\ntonics, and gentle antiphlogistics, locally applied. On no account\r\nwould I proceed to amputation until further symptoms are exhibited.”\r\n\r\n“Surgeon Patella, of the Algerine,” said Cuticle, in an ill-suppressed\r\npassion, abruptly turning round on the person addressed, “will _you_\r\nhave the kindness to say whether _you_ do not think that amputation is\r\nthe only resource?”\r\n\r\nNow Patella was the youngest of the company, a modest man, filled with\r\na profound reverence for the science of Cuticle, and desirous of\r\ngaining his good opinion, yet not wishing to commit himself altogether\r\nby a decided reply, though, like Surgeon Sawyer, in his own mind he\r\nmight have been clearly against the operation.\r\n\r\n“What you have remarked, Mr. Surgeon of the Fleet,” said Patella,\r\nrespectfully hemming, “concerning the dangerous condition of the limb,\r\nseems obvious enough; amputation would certainly be a cure to the\r\nwound; but then, as, notwithstanding his present debility, the patient\r\nseems to have a strong constitution, he might rally as it is, and by\r\nyour scientific treatment, Mr. Surgeon of the Fleet”—bowing—“be\r\nentirely made whole, without risking an amputation. Still, it is a very\r\ncritical case, and amputation may be indispensable; and if it is to be\r\nperformed, there ought to be no delay whatever. That is my view of the\r\ncase, Mr. Surgeon of the Fleet.”\r\n\r\n“Surgeon Patella, then, gentlemen,” said Cuticle, turning round\r\ntriumphantly, “is clearly of opinion that amputation should be\r\nimmediately performed. For my own part—individually, I mean, and\r\nwithout respect to the patient—I am sorry to have it so decided. But\r\nthis settles the question, gentlemen—in my own mind, however, it was\r\nsettled before. At ten o’clock to-morrow morning the operation will be\r\nperformed. I shall be happy to see you all on the occasion, and also\r\nyour juniors” (alluding to the absent _Assistant Surgeons_).\r\n“Good-morning, gentlemen; at ten o’clock, remember.”\r\n\r\nAnd Cuticle retreated to the Ward-room.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 2"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJTJSVZBTQ548PN378CB1","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AMGMFYTS3CD200YJDS7SE","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:39.567Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:51.017Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}