18 On the opening of Buboes by Caustic. 



tention of sailors, or to the inefficacv of the usual reme- 

 dies, I cannot positively determine, though I am inclined 

 to believe the latter ; having seen many cases, during 

 my residence at the Pennsylvania Hospital, which sup- 

 purated, after the most assiduous application of discu- 

 tient remedies. 



Having been frequently foiled in my endeavours to 

 disperse them, I determined on a new plan of treatment, 

 which has been attended with considerable success, and 

 which I beg leave to communicate. 



I made a small issue in the centre of the tumour, by 

 twirling a piece of Lapis Septicus (cut to a fine point) 

 on the most prominent part, which was afterwards co- 

 vered with dry lint ; the next day it was dressed with 

 Ung. Misc. ; the eschar generally separated in two or 

 three days, leaving an aperture, about the size of a pea 

 or small bean, which was daily filled with a piece of 

 wax, sprinkled with the nitrate of mercury, and the tu- 

 mour covered by a plaster of Empl. or Ung. Merc. ; if 

 the eschar did not separate soon, a poultice of Farin. 

 Semen Lini. was applied. 



The issue inflamed slightly, and discharged, daily, a 

 <mall quantity of pus ; in a few days the swelling was 

 gradually dispersed, and the issue healed, without trou- 

 ble, by omitting the wax and nitrate of mercury. 



In making the issue, I prefer caustic to the lancet : 

 the former excites immediately that degree of irritation, 

 which is afterwards kept up by the precipitate, on which, 



