Chap. 47.] SPONGES. 521 



dry, and, in some cases, moistened with vinegar, wine, or cold 

 water. Soaked in rain-water, and applied to the incision, 

 they prevent cuts recently inflicted from swelling. They are 

 used as an application for such parts of the body, though appa- 

 rently uninjured, as are threatened with occult humours which 

 require to be dispersed ; as also for reducing the tumours 

 known to us as *'apostemes," the parts being first fomented with 

 a decoction of honey. Sponges are employed, also, for affections 

 of the joints, steeped in vinegar and salt, or in oxycrate : in 

 cases, however, where the attack is attended with fever, water 

 alone is used with the sponge. Soaked in salt and water, 

 sponges are applied to callosities ; and, with vinegar, they are 

 used for stings inflicted by scorpions. 



In the treatment of wounds, sponges are sometimes used as 

 a substitute for greasy wool, either with wine and oil, or with 

 salt and water ; the only difference being, that wool acts emol- 

 liently upon sores, whereas sponge has an astringent action, 

 and absorbs the vitiated humours. To dropsical patients, ban- 

 dages of sponge are applied, either dry or steeped in warm 

 water or oxycrate, according as there is a necessity for soothing 

 the skin, or for covering it up and drying it. Sponges are 

 applied, also, in all those diseases where warmth is required, 

 being first soaked in boiling water and then squeezed out 

 between a couple of boards. Employed in this manner, too, they 

 are very useful for affections of the stomach and for the excessive 

 heats attendant upon fever. Steeped in oxycrate, they are 

 good for diseases of the spleen, and in vinegar for erysipelas ; 

 nothing, in fact, being equally efficacious. Sponge, when thus 

 used, should always be so applied as amply to cover the adja- 

 cent parts that are not affected. 



Employed with vinegar or cold water, sponge arrests hsemor- 

 rhage ; soaked in warm salt and water, and frequently renewed, 

 it removes the lividity which results from a recent blow. 

 Used with oxycrate, it disperses pains and swellings in the 

 testes. To bites inflicted by dogs, it is a good plan to apply 

 sponge, from time to time, cut fine, and moistened with 

 vinegar, cold water, or honey. Ashes of African^ sponge, 

 with juice of cut-leek and a mixture of salt and cold water, 

 are good, taken internally, for patients suffering from dis- 

 charges of blood : applied topically to the forehead, with oil or 



^ See B. ix. c. 69. 



