ON WOUNDS. Ill 



This is called union by the first intention, 

 that is, without the necessity of matter being 

 formed for that purpose. Here, therefore, it 

 appears that nothing more is necessary than to 

 regulate the inflammation. But the common 

 practice in this case is to keep the surfaces of 

 the wound apart from each other, by introducing 

 a substance between them, such as a candle, or 

 a tent of tow dipped in some strong stimulating 

 mixture; and this is done with a view to the pro- 

 duction of good matter. The mischief arising 

 from such treatment must be obvious to every 

 rational mind, for the first process of nature, in 

 this instance, will be an endeavour to get rid of 

 the substance which is thus officiously inter- 

 posed between the surfaces, and in this attempt 

 the inflammation is carried to an excessive degree, 

 very frequently to mortification. But even if 

 the animal escapes this unfortunate crisis, nature 

 becomes weary in making fruitless efforts, and 

 the surfaces of the wound change their nature, 

 and become callous and inactive, producing a 

 3 diseased 



