360 Analysis of Scientific Books and Memoirs. 



V. — An Essay on the use of the Nitrate of Silver in the cure of Injlam- 

 matiori, Wounds, arid Ulcers. By John PIigginbottom, Nottingham, 

 Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. 2(1 Edit. Lond. 1829. Pp. 

 220. 



Although works on medical or surgical subjects are not within the scope 

 of this Journal, unless when the subject of wliich they treat is of a gene- 

 ral nature, yet, as the present relates to a remedy so simple, so easily ap- 

 plied, and so useful in every family, we have no hesitation in noticing it. 



Medical practitioners had some indistinct notions of the benefits derived 

 from the use of nitrate of silver ; but these cannot be regarded as dimi- 

 nishing in the least the great merit of Mr Higginbottom's discovery of the 

 universality of its efficacy, and of the proper mode of applying it. 



In the several departments of army, navy, and hospital practice, its uti- 

 lity must be very great. Its application is so simple, and its operation so 

 quick, that, by rendering unnecessary a multiplicity of dressings, the period 

 of residence in hospital may be greatly shortened. Instead of daily dres- 

 sings, attention to the patient every third or fourth day is frequently all that 

 is required. 



Mr Higginbottom has pointed out the prevailing error, that the nitrate 

 of silver acts as a caustic. He considers it as the very reverse of a caustic, 

 as it is impossible to destroy by it any but the most superficial parts. " I 

 speak of it," says he, " in its solid form. Instead of destroying, it f^-^^- 

 quently preserves parts which would inevitably slough, except for the ex- 

 traordinary preservative powers of this remedy. A new terra is in fact re- 

 quired for the peculiar kind of influence which the nitrate of silver pos- 

 sesses in subduing and checking inflammation in phlegmon and erysipelas, 

 — in inducing the adhesive inflammation in wounds, — in preserving the 

 health of parts, which in cases of puncture or bruise are ready to take on 

 the suppurative or sloughing process, — and lastly, in changing various spe- 

 cific actions, and inducing one of a more healthy and curative kind." 



Mr Higginbottom's work is divided as follows : — 



Chap. I. On the principle of the treatment by the nitrate of silver. 



Chap, II. Of the use of the nitrate of silver in the treatment of exter- 

 nal inflammation. 



Chap. III. Of the treatment of punctured wounds. 



Chap. IV. Of the treatment of bruised wounds. 



Chap. V. Of the treatment of ulcers. 



Chap. VI. On old ulcers of the legs. 



Chap. VII. Of burns and scalds. 



Appendix L treats of the use of the nitrate as a blister, and contains va- 

 rious cases of its successful application. 



Appendix II. contains letters from Mr Webster of Dulwich and Mr 

 Browne, Camberwell, recommendatory of the nitrate of silver. 



As a specimen of the work, we shall extract the section of Appendix I. 

 on the treatment of corns, a subject of popular interest. 



" The nitrate of silver is an old remedy for corns ; but as the plan which 

 I adopt is rather different from that usually employed, I will describe it 

 briefly in this place. 



" The patient should put the feet in warm water at bed-time for half 



