On Medical Entcwolog^. 351 



indications but with extreme difficulty and extraordinary 

 slowness, because our humours, both \a the sound state 

 and when degenerated into pus, have too w^ak ati actioa 

 on the wax. This inconvenience has been avoided by a 

 very simple process, which perfectly answers the proposed 

 end. A sponge is dipped in water in such a manner as to 

 be completely soaked : it is then compressed as much as 

 possible in every direction with a piece oF packthread. If 

 the latter be taken away at the end of a certain time, it is 

 observed that the sponge retains the form given to it bv the 

 compression ; but the slightest humidity is sufficient to 

 make it resume its natur 1 volume ^ and in this consists 

 the merit of this preparation, which was published as new 

 a few years ago, though long known, and though employed 

 ^'ith great success by I. F, Morand, surgeon. 



Cerates are indebted for their consistence and name to 

 wax ; it is wax which gives to ointments and plasters that 

 apparent homogeneity and smoothness which is sou2;ht for. 

 Dcsault was so fully convinced of the danger which accom- 

 panies the application of greasy .substances to the surface of 

 the body, that he almost entirely proscribed the use of these 

 topics. I have attended too little the lectures of Desault 

 to be well acquaintd with his general method of treating 

 external diseases ; but I have had for collcatrucs in the army 

 several of his pupils, who applied in abundance aqueous 

 solution of acetite of lead (vegeto-niineral water of Goulard) 

 to all wounds, ulcers, and tumours. ! congratulate myself 

 that I have not imitated them, and that I followed the wise 

 counsels of my learned Meeaenas*, who rcconnnends the 

 substitution of* muriate of soda for acetite of lead. Thi* 

 metallic salt, indeed, participates in all the faulis so justly 

 ascribed to fat bodies. Like them it forms a stratum im- 

 permeable to the excrementitious fluids, and gives besides 

 to the orifice of the exhaling vessels an a^triction which 

 jnav occasion a- fatal metastasis, or mortal teianus. 



• Heurtelo'jp. 



[To bt coiuiiuitd.] 



LTX. J 



