The little brotherhood of surgeons of St. Come were ready to seize on every circumstance which might redound to their advantage, and desired to have within their ranks the man who enjoyed such great renown. They, therefore, admitted him to an examination, in spite of the statute which required that the candidate should understand Latin, and in spite of opposition by the professors of the university.{ 132} They not only admitted him to all their degrees, but awarded him a reception,--a hitherto unknown honor.
Description of Fig. 17.--A, the instrument named, on account of its figure, lizard's beak; in Latin, "_rostrum lacerti_." It is used to extract balls which have been flattened or imbedded in bone. A displays particularly the cannula. B, hinge, by means of which the lizard's beak is opened and closed as much or as little as the surgeon wishes. C, the rod which opens and closes the lizard's beak. When drawn upon it closes and when pushed it opens the instrument. D, dilator and mirror: in Latin, "_dilatatorium, speculum_." The instrument is somewhat roughened and dentated in order to take a firm hold of whatever it grasps. It may serve two purposes: first, to dilate and enlarge the wound so that it may be seen to the bottom, and also to make way for some instrument, as pincers or crow's beak, and to grasp more easily and withdraw the foreign body; secondly, it may itself serve to extract the foreign body,--e.g., a, double-headed ball; b, a small chain; c, c, some pieces of mail. E, E, crane's beak; in Latin, "rostrum gruinum." H2, H, duck's beak; in Latin, "rostrum arserinum." K, sound. L, ball-extraetor without cannula. M, cannula with handle.
Paré in his time met with a success which to-day would be pronounced extraordinary. He seemed to inspire the wounded with the utmost confidence, and to possess greatness and firmness of character in the highest degree. It is perhaps, even more extraordinary that with so strong a character he should have so long retained favor at court. In the midst of the excitement of camps, and a very extended practice, he found time to read all that had been published on his art, and to compose himself a great number of works, enriching all branches of surgery. Instead of keeping secret his inventions, as was the custom of the time, he made them as public as possible, saying, in the preface of his large work on surgery: "For my part, I have dispensed liberally to everybody the gifts that God has conferred upon me, and I am none the worse for it; just as the light of a candle will not diminish no matter how many may come to light their torches by it."