Caustic, and escharotic preparations, have been already considered.
Upon the whole, when the ulcer does not admit of being extirpated, all which can be done, is to keep the sore clean, by washing it carefully, and dressing it with some mild ointment, or using some of the poultices or lotions already mentioned, if these do not gall the skin, at the same time that we keep the patient easy by administering opium.
Having now concluded these observations on the cancerous inflammation, I should next proceed to the consideration of the venereal inflammation; but the dissertations on this subject must be reserved for another volume.
END OF VOL. II.
GLASGOW:
PRINTED BY JAMES MUNDELL,
AYTON COURT.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Bringing two surfaces in contact, although they naturally were not so, will have the same effect. Thus, if the skin be taken off the edges of our fingers, and the side of the one be applied to the side of the other, adhesion will take place, and no inflammation will be produced. When a part is inflamed, and one portion is brought in contact with another, we uniformly find, that the inflammation is less where the parts were in contact than elsewhere. Thus, when the intestines are inflamed, the parts suffer least which touch other intestines, whilst the angle betwixt the folds is most affected. This fact is observed by Mr. Hunter, but explained upon the principle of contiguous sympathy; or, “a mutual harmony being produced, which prevents their being inflamed.”
[2] If we attempt, without fear, to cure the general disease, why may we not also endeavour to hasten the termination of the local disease?
[3] When we are obliged to stop our bleeding, on account of fainting, before we would otherwise do it, we will find it necessary to repeat the venesection sooner than if this did not happen.