I didn't understand most of the terms he used, but is sounded familiar enough. A wound, left untreated, resulted in rotting tissue that had to be removed. I'd seen enough soldiers face amputation to understand that much.

I started slowly, not wanting to cause more pain in my attempts to relieve it, gently finding my way in the unfamiliar landscape of his remaining muscles. "Why did you not agree to it? If you would have died, was this not the only remaining option?"