212 On Diseases and Accide?its of Farmers. 



dipped in ardent spirits, and covered with brown sugar 5 

 or of balsam-apple infused in spirit, answer no purpose, ex- 

 cept that of giving unnecessary pain. When a small vessel 

 has been divided, and the blood flows freely, one or more 

 strips of linen or muslin, may be covered with Canada bal- 

 sam or sticking plaster, and applied to the part, across the 

 line of the wound. Even in cases where a portion of 

 flesh has been sliced nearly or entirely off*, it should be 

 instantly replaced and covered with the plaster, and lint 

 over it ; as under such a circumstance, a union of the di- 

 vided parts will take place. The bandages should be 

 permitted to remain until the wound is cured : — say a 

 week or ten days. The part may then be soaked in warm 

 water, and the bandage cut through with a sharp pair of 

 scissors. Even when the laceration of flesh or skin has 

 been considerable, a union will be effected, provided the 

 parts be united speedily, and covered with the sticking- 

 plaster, as above directed. Dirt and all foreign matters, it 

 is obvious, should be removed in the first instance : 

 quiet to the part is indispensable. 



Punctured Wounds, — When a nail, splinter, or thorn, 

 lias penetrated a foot or hand, immediate attention should 

 be paid to the wound, as it is from such a cause that the 

 terrible disease Tetanus, or locked jaw proceeds. The 

 part should be covered with lint dipped in spirit of tur- 

 pentine, and occasionally renewed to excite inflammation 

 in the wound, which must not be allowed to heal for a 

 week or two. This mode has been so well, and so Jong 

 tested, that it is recommended with confidence. Instances 

 have occurred of Tetanus taking place, six weeks after a 

 nail or thorn had been run in the foot, and the wound 

 healed. The first symptom of the Tetanus is often a se- 

 vere pain at the pit of the stomach. The rigidity of the 

 jaws, and back of the neck, soon follows, and at intervals, 

 the body is drawn backward by a violent spasm. 



