The Bournewood case

impacted at the neck of his bladder. Home indicates that Martin wrote again on the matter to friends in 1791 and reproduces a final less optimistic letter of 1799, the year before Martin's death. These letters do not mention Dr Scott, a saw, a knitting needle or a whalebone handle. Moreover the operation, sometimes performed ten times a day, was often painful, precipitating haematuria and spasm. Home was sceptical and it is probable the stones were never removed totally.