Grease. 105 



It is of the utmost consequence too^ that poultices should be applied 

 ample, and as hot as the hand can be conveniently borne in the 

 composition^ for if applied nearly cold, and in small quantity, in- 

 stead of being- useful, they are "frequently hurtful in the complaint. 

 A worsted stocking makes, on account of its elasticity, an excel- 

 lent bag" for a poultice, and permits its uniform application, to the 

 swollen and inflamed parts. If the affected limb be violently in- 

 flamed, there will be great use in fomenting the parts with a hot 

 decoction of Chammomile, JMarsh-Mallows, or any mild garden herb. 

 If there cannot be procured, milk and water, or plain water may be 

 substituted. But, it is absolutely necessary, that the fomentation 

 should be applied hot, and for the space of ten or fifteen minutes at 

 ^ time. If the ulcers in the skin be large and deep, the hair should 

 be cut away scrupulousJi/ , from the edges of the sores, which may 

 be filled with a little of the astringent liniment, after the parts have 

 been fomented, and before the appiiration of the poultice. All oint- 

 ments and greasy applications, appear to me, not only unnecessary, 

 but frequently prejudicial in this disease ; even when the Ulcers are 

 large and deep. And 1 am of opinion, that if they ever do any 

 good, it is in consequence of the stimulating and detergent mate- 

 rials that are mixed with them, which may always be applied, through 

 a more eligible and efiicacious medium. When fungous flesh i« 

 perceived to arise, it must be kept down by blue Vitriol, in powder, 

 or if very luxuriant, by the use of the actual cautery. 



Poultices and fomentations are best applied at night, but in ex- 

 treme and violent cases, they may be had recourse to, two or three 

 times a day.— When poultices are removed in the morning, theskm 

 should be cleansed with plain warm water, without soap, and after- 



Dd 



