The Re-Union in Wounds is properly the Work of Nature; but it may be promoted by putting into 'em a little Balsam of Peru, and drawing together their Lips with the Fingers. Afterwards the Lips must be kept closed with a Bandage, a Glutinous Plaister or a dry Stitch, provided the Wound be only superficial, hindring the Air from penetrating into it. For Want of Balsam of Peru, an excellent one may be made with the Flowers here specified.
Take the Flowers of Henbane, St. John's-Wort, and Comfry and let 'em be digested in the Sun during the whole Summer-Season in the Oyl of Hemp-seed, which Oyl, the longer it is kept, proves so much the better, if it be set forth in the Sun every Summer, the Vessel that contains it being well stop'd. There is also the Balsam of Balsams, or the Balsam of Paracelsus call'd Samech.
To avoid the exposing of Wounds to the Air, it is requisite to cover 'em over the Dressings with some sort of Plaister, which is usually termed the Surgeon's Plaister, such is that which is effectual in Dissolving, corroborating and allaying Pain or Inflammation.
Take the Mucilages of the Roots of great Comfrey and Fenegreek, half a Pound of Ceruse or white Lead, two Drams of Crude Opium, one Dram of Camphire, as much of Saffron, two Drams of Sandarack, one of the Oyl of
Bays, one half Pound of Rosin, and as much Turpentine and Wax. Boil all these Ingredients together in a sufficient Quantity of Lin-seed-Oyl, and make a Plaister according to Art.
In great Wounds it is expedient to lay over the Dressings a Cataplasm or Pultiss, such as this:
Take the Leaves and Flowers of Camomile, and Melilot, the Tops of Wormwood, common Mallows and Marsh-Mallows, with the Seeds of Line and Cummin powder'd: Then boyl the whole Composition in Wine, and add thereto Barly-Meal, to give it a due Consistence. If there be any Cause to fear a Gangrene, you may also intermix Saffron, Myrrh and Aloes with Spirit of Wine.
Is it necessary to put Tents into all Wounds, and to make use of Digestives and Suppuratives?
No: It is sufficient to procure the Re-uniting of the Parts simply by the Means of Balsam in small Wounds; because they ought not to be brought to Suppuration: so that Digestives and Suppuratives are only necessary in great Wounds, and those that are accompanied with Contusion, avoiding the ill Custom of some Country-Surgeons, that stuff up their Wounds too much with Tents and Pledgets, whereas they might well be content with simple Bolsters or Dossels which shou'd be dipt in the ordinary Digestive composed of Turpentine and the Yolks of Eggs with a little Brandy, or else with the Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes.
Suppuration may also be promoted by mundifying and quickening the Wound, especially if the Bolsters be steep'd in the following Composition.