The Blisters are generally rais'd by 'em within the space of five or six Hours; yet this Operation depends more or less upon the fineness of the Skin; and when the Bladders or Blisters appear, it is requisite to deferr the openning of 'em for some time, to the end that Nature may have an Opportunity to introduce a new Scarf-Skin, by which means the Pain may be avoided that would be felt, if the Skin were too much expos'd to the Air.
What is a Cautery?
It is a Composition made of many Ingredients, which corrode, burn, and make an Escar on the Part to which they are apply'd.
How many sorts of Cauteries are there in general?
There are two kinds, viz. the Actual and the Potential; the former are those that have an immediate Operation; as Fire, or a red-hot Iron; and the others are those that produce the same Effect, but in a longer space of time; such are the ordinary Cauteries compos'd of Caustick Medicaments.
Which are the most safe, the Actual or the Potential Cauteries?
A distinction is to be made herein; for Actual Cauteries are safest in the Operation, because they may be apply'd wheresoever one shall think fit, as also for as long a time, or for any purpose: Whereas the Potential cannot be
guided after the same manner. But in Hæmorrhages the Potential Cauteries are most eligible, by reason that the Escar produc'd by 'em not being so speedily form'd, the Vessels are better clos'd, and they are not so subject to open again when it falls off; as it often happens in the Fall of an Escar made by Fire.
In what places are Cauteries usually apply'd?
In all places where an Attraction is to be made, or an Intemperature to be corrected, or a Flux of Humours to be stopt, by inducing an Escar on the Part: However they are commonly laid upon the Nape of the Neck, between the first and second Vertebra; on the outward Part of the Arm in a small Hole between the Muscle Deltoides and the Biceps; above the Thigh, between the Muscle Sartor, and the Vastus Internus; and on the inside of the Knee, below the Flexors of the Leg; observing every where that the Cautery be plac'd near the great Vessels, to the end that it may draw out and cleanse more abundantly.