[ 198 } 
but too fadly proved that fome minute particle of 
the poifonous faliva had eluded the operation. Even 
the blood, iffuing from the woufd, unléfs previoufly 
abforbed by dry lint, may defeat the a&tion of the 
cauftic. To the efficacy of the Kali purum, applied 
to the part,'the reports of the Manchefter Infirmary 
bear teflimony; this having been the praétice thefe 
fifty years, from the foundation of the hofpital.' Of 
forty perfons bitten by mad-dogs, being thus treated, 
all are reported to have remained well.*. ‘But whe- 
ther the Kali purum a& in common with the anti- 
-monial and Junar cauftics, or, in addition to its cauf- 
ticity, poffefs a fpecific power ftom its’ alkaline 
quality, muft be left to future obfervation. | Inftead 
of deftroying the part with cauftic alkali the Parifians 
prefer the application of nitrous acid. 
The great Borruaave, inftead of extirpation of 
the part, appears to have trufted to ablution, cupping, 
with fcarification, and afterwards dreffing the wound 
daily with a folution of marine falt in vinegar. 
Profeflor MepErer condemns the method of ex- 
tirpation, as cruel and unneceflary, and rifques the 
event on the daily application of a dilute folution of 
lunar cauftic in diftilled water, in the proportion of 
thirty grains to a pint. In proof of its fuccefs, he 
adduces five vafes duly authenticated.t 
* Dr. Ferrier’s Effays, vol. iti. 
- + Medical Faéts and Obfervations, vol i. 
PO“VOL. IX. 0 Others 
