But now the doctor sees a change in the appearance of the hand.

He sees very clearly that mortification is setting in.

No poultice, no plaster, no fomentation will be of any avail now, nothing but the knife, nothing but cutting off the limb will save the man's life.

What a foolish doctor he would be, who should refuse in such a case to take strong measures! The great reformer, Martin Luther, looked around him, and what did he see?
The whole civilized world a slave at the feet of one man, the Pope of Rome, obeying that man as if he were God; believing every word that came from his mouth, following carefully in his footsteps as he led them astray.
Luther feels nothing will do but strong measures.

He will not go gently and quietly to work in his reform, for he feels that would be of no use; the case is so serious that nothing but a strong and decided step will answer the purpose.