SECT. II.
Of Wounds
A Wound is an unnatural separation of any part of our body, whereby the order of circulation is hindered, the solids divided, and the fluids let out; suddenly caused by some violent means or other. But when such a separation becomes ulcerated, it loses the apellation of wound, and is called a sore, or ulcer.—This distinction is requisite to be taken notice of; for wounds and sores are often confounded, which shews not only ignorance, but as their nature is materially different, their method of treatment is not less so; and ought therefore previously to be understood.
Wounds are best distinguished into three different kinds; cut wounds, bruised wounds, and gun-shot wounds. I shall briefly shew how to treat each in particular.
Cut Wounds.
A Cut wound is barely a separation of parts; and the sharper the instrument with which the wound was made, the easier will the wound be to heal up again.
It is however a natural thing to observe what parts of the body is wounded, for tho’ nature is kind in uniting the parts, yet some parts are more easier healed than others.——Observe therefore
The different Methods.
If an artery is wounded (which is known by the blood being of a florid colour and spinning out by starts) care should be taken to have it stopt to prevent bleeding to death. But in this you should not be too scrupulous. Two or three ounces from a wound makes a great shew; and very often a little blood lost is of great benefit to the healing. Should, however, the blood gush from the wound violently, especially from an artery, make a compress of lint, strewed with Powder’d Allum, (17) which secure well on the parts with a roller, laying over it a compress, with Spirit of Wine and Camphor; (A) if that should not be yet sufficient, put a piece of money in a compress, and secure it on the wound, that is, provided the part of the body will admit of it, such as the arms or the legs, &c.