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surgeons, some practical remarks in reference to the treatment of 

 extensive suppuration by astringent and stimulant injections into 

 the suppurating cavity. In these cases, free openings, and washing 

 the surface within with a solution of 3ij of alum, and 3i of sulphate 

 of copper to the pint of water, will check its progress, diminish the 

 quantity, and improve the quality of the pus. He is inclined also 

 to think that the practice prevents purulent absorption, and by ex- 

 citing inflammation, limits its spread among the tissues. The same 

 application he has found useful on the surface of large stumps where 

 the pus is abundant and offensive. 



Dr. Brainard also advises us that he has lately used iodine in- 

 jections in serous effusions. "Having noticed," he says, "the 

 rapidity with which patients often sunk after puncture of ascites, 

 spina bifida, &c, I formed the opinion that such treatment was 

 wrong, and determined to try injections. Having occasion soon 

 after to treat a case of spina bifida, in the Chicago Hospital, in a 

 child about 13 years old, in whom the tumour was situated at the 

 top of the sacrum, being nine inches in circumference, and about 

 three inches in height, with thin walls, I determined to inject into 

 the sac a solution of iodine, with a view of exciting inflammation 

 and procuring absorption. This was done on the 2d December, 

 1847, in the following manner. A small puncture was made with a 

 lancet half an inch from the base of the tumour, and a trocar of 

 the size of a knitting needle carried obliquely into the sac. Through 

 the canula of this, a solution of gr. i. of hydriodate of potash, with 

 gr. ss of iodine, in a fluidrachm of water, was thrown into the sac, 

 and the instrument withdrawn without allowing the serum to escape. 

 A sharp pain followed, which soon subsided, and compresses were 

 applied to prevent the escape of fluid. After the operation the 

 tumour became red, tense, and tender; but these symptoms soon 

 gave place to a remarkable flabbiness and contraction. By the 27th 

 of December it had diminished to about half its former size. At 

 this date a second injection was used of half the strength of the 

 first, which produced but little heat or pain, and the compression 

 was continued. On the 15th January, 1848, so much of the fluid 

 was absorbed as to render it easy to press it down almost to a level 

 with the surrounding parts, the skin was lying in wrinkles over it, 

 and the bony opening could be distinctly felt. Since the last date 

 a third injection has been made without any unpleasant result. Dr. 

 Brainard thinks that the injection of a solution of iodine, (so far as 



