On the following day I learnt that the pain after the application of the caustic had been considerable for two hours. It then ceased and the eschar became complete; and there was rather less inflammation and swelling. The patient had kept in bed. I prescribed a pill with the hydrarg. submurias, to be followed by an aperient draught.
On the succeeding day my patient went down stairs and disturbed the eschar, and experienced more pain. The inflammation and swelling were still less. I applied the caustic to the parts of the ulcer exposed by the injury done to the eschar.
During the two following days the inflammation subsided entirely; I evacuated a little fluid from beneath the eschar.
On the next day the eschar appeared adherent, except in the centre which was occupied by the slough.
On the succeeding day, I evacuated a little fluid from beneath the slough.
On the next day I removed the slough entirely by means of a pair of scissors. The subjacent ulcer had a healthy granulated appearance. I applied the lunar caustic to it to form an eschar.
From this time it was necessary to evacuate a little fluid from under the eschar for ten successive days. It then became adherent, and in about a fortnight it separated, leaving the ulcer healed.
Case XXXV.
The following case will present a specimen of my trials of the lunar caustic in larger ulcers.
Anthony Knowles, aged 44, was kicked by a horse on the leg, above the inner ankle, two years ago. The part has never healed, but still remains in the state of an open ulcer, attended by some inflammation. When I first saw this ulcer it was about two inches in diameter and nearly circular, with high edges, a surface of a greenish colour, and without any healthy granulations. I applied the lunar caustic to form an eschar.