By a continuation of this plan the wound gradually contracted, and, at length, when there was no further use for the cataplasm, the eschar became adherent and the sore healed underneath. It appeared highly probable to me that, under ordinary treatment, the finger, in this case, would have been lost.
I shall in this place, introduce a few observations on wounds received during dissection.
It is not in my power to give any cases in illustration of the treatment of the severer accidents resulting from these wounds; for since I began the free use of the lunar caustic all the terrible effects of such wounds have been invariably prevented.
I may here mention that in the years 1813 and 1819, respectively, I was myself exposed to great danger from inoculation during the examination of dead bodies. Since the latter period I have repeatedly been exposed to the same danger from inoculation, but in every instance, the danger has been completely averted by the prompt and free application of the lunar caustic.
The following is the exact mode of treatment which I would adopt in such cases.
In recent punctures the caustic should be applied in the manner already described in cases of simple punctured wounds.
When the case has been neglected, a small tumour is usually formed underneath the skin with smart stinging pain; this tumour should be removed entirely by the lancet, and the caustic should be applied, both to the surface of the wound and over the surrounding skin, to form an adherent eschar.
When the case has been still longer neglected, and inflammation of the absorbents has supervened, a free crucial incision is to be made, the caustic is to be very freely applied, and afterwards a cold poultice and lotion, the usual constitutional remedies being actively enforced.