882 On the remarkaMe Efficacy of Cdrrots 



the quantity of discharge, or other circumstanceg, made it 

 necessary ; but this was seldom required, when the mode 

 above mentioned was adopted sufficiently earlv ; that is, 

 before the sore had made much progress in its scorbutic 

 state. 



It scarce need be observed, that this disposition was 

 known to have taken place, when the ulcer, from being 

 firm, florid, and discharging good pus, became spongy, 

 pallid, and discharged a considerable quanlity of a thin, 

 bloody, or gleety kind of matter. 



The superior effects of this treatment were apparent in a 

 very short time ; in a few days the sores (several of which, 

 before, were spreading rapidly, threatening the lives of the 

 patients) were obviously improved j and in short, without 

 any interruption to their progress in amendment, they were 

 ail of them gradually restored to a healthy appearance; 

 and the cure finished, either by a continuance of this, or 

 the methods ordinarily used to sores in a healthful healing 

 state. 



In all the cases above alluded to, bark, opium, Stc, were 

 as usual administered. 



Nothing, however, has been particularly stated with re- 

 spect to the exhibition of such remedies; as the qbject of 

 the present paper is merely to direct the attention of prac- 

 titioners to the use of the carrot poultice, and to recom- 

 inendj under the sanction of many successful cases, the mode 

 of applying it above described*. 

 Oxford, November 2, 1795. 



November SO, 1S03. 



Since the above was written, a very considerable number 

 of similar cases have at different times occurred, in which 

 the efficacy of the carrot poultice, applied as above, has 

 been abundantly confirmed ; viz. very large sores chiefly on 

 the leg, extending in some instances from the knee to the 

 ancle, originating from accidental injury, habitual ulcers 

 likewise, surfaces of stumps, and other sores after opera- 

 tions, all having assumed the morbid disposition before mcn- 



• The antiseptic power of the c.irrot poultice has been n/icrihcd, I believe, 

 to the carbonic acid gas which the sore is supposed to imbibe from it during 

 its application ; hence it might be inferred that the carrot was fitteot for use 

 in its raw state. 



I am however rather inclined to impute the efficacy of the carrot to its mild, 

 anti-putrescent quality, depending cliiefly on the pulpy saccliariiie matter-It 

 contains, in common with other vegetables, but in greater abundance ; me- 

 liorated and softened iiuo the fittest consistence by boiling and pounding for 

 application to the tender, irritable surface of iilccrs, sores, inflamed skin, &c. 



tione4« 



