[Sir William Fergusson, Scottish surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Fergusson') [to F. A. Bulley], discussing the death of one of his patients from erysipilas, the effect of the news on other patients, the prevalence of the infection in London.

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper, with small spike-hole on one leaf. The letter begins: 'I am sorry to say that the poor man from whom I removed the large tumour has died of Erysipilas - It is a great pity - but one of those results over which we have little or no control - Perhaps the inflammation was a kind of continuance of that which he had on him when the operation was done'. He points out that 'at the present time the Hospital [i.e. King's College Hospital] is remarkably free from Erysipilas - a thing which few of us in London can boast much about in general'. He continues: 'Of course this will likely frighten your other patients - but whether the tumour be small or large all must run their chance - happily such a result as that which has occurred in this case may be looked upon as an exception to the general rule'. From the papers of F. A. Bulley of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.