Let the ligature, or the first dressing, lie on for two or three days, and, if no hindrance to the patient, longer. If all these things are not sufficient, recourse must be had to the needle.
In every other kind of cut wounds, care should be taken to have it first cleaned with some water; (a small matter of vinegar, and brandy may be mixed with it) next, let the lips of the wound be well closed, dressed with dry lint, and Turlington’s Balsam (W), and over which, a compress with Camphor Spirits (A).
Plaisters, salves, &c. in green cut wounds, are altogether needless. All that is required to healing, is to keep the wound clean, to give it rest, and not to aggravate it with any thing acrimonious. Turlington’s Balsam (W) is admirable, but yet it suits small wounds better than large ones.
As a finger is very liable to be cut, and sometimes gives a great deal of trouble, I will here give a simple and expeditious remedy:—If you have cut your finger, wash it in a little salt or fresh water; tie it round with a good long thread, not too tight,—take care that your wooling may keep on without being removed; and a day or two will heal it up, without any farther plaistering. If inflammation attends the wound, methods should be taken accordingly, by bleeding, fever powders, &c.
Of Bruised Wounds.
These kinds of wounds are of a worse nature, and are not so kind to heal as the former; for here the parts seem to be torn to pieces, so that there is not only a separation of parts, but a destruction of a great many tender fibres all round the wound.
Hence we see in such cases a great deal of swelling, inflammation, and pain attend it; for the blood being hindered, the circulation naturally swells up the parts; and the nerves being lacerated also, must occasion great pain. Hence it must follow, that nature must first get rid of the obnoxious and torn part before she will consent to unite the wound again; and this must be performed by suppuration.
In small cases, nothing is more beneficial than Diachylon Plaister, (20) which assuages the inflammation, corrects the acrimony, and brings the wound to a good state.
Broken shins often occur on board a ship, which is of that species of wounds. And as from such a case, (though in general slighted) many evils have arisen, I would caution the mariner to apply immediately Diachylon Plaister (20) to a broken shin; by which he will prevent having an ulcerated leg; a thing very troublesome.
If the bruised wound is on other parts, and the parts all round are bruised, care should be taken that it is cleaned as before directed, and a pledget of lint, with Yellow Basilicon, (F) will be necessary; over which a compress with Spirits of Wine and Camphor, (A) or rum, may be applied; and afterwards, when it begins to heal, it may be dressed with dry lint.