On Diseases and Accidents of Fanners, 227 



tack a joint, or appear in any part of the body which it 

 will be troublesome to attend to, the experiment ought to 

 be made, by the application of three or four leeches, and 

 of a thin cloth dipped in cold lead water to the part, and 

 by taking one or more purges ; but when it is evident 

 that a disposition prevails in the part to suppurate, poul- 

 tices of flax-seed, or of bread and milk, covered with oil 

 or hogs' fat, ought to be applied, and renewed twice a 

 day. If great pain attend, a tea-spoonful or two of lauda- 

 num may be poured over the poultice. Much pain aris- 

 ing from the distension of the skin may be prevented, and 

 the course of the disease shortened, by a free and early 

 opening of the bile, to discharge the purulent collection, 

 and the gangrenous cellular membrane, commonly called 

 the *' core.'' When from fear of a little momentary acute 

 pain, caused by the use of a lancet, the sufferer delays 

 the operation, or permits the bile to break spontaneously, 

 or will consent only to a small opening, the disease often 

 extends, or a fresh collection of pus takes place. After 

 opening the bile, continue the poultices until the cavity of 

 the bile is emptied, and after the second day, insert a tent 

 of soft oiled linen, (twisted or rolled to a point) in the 

 wound, to prevent its too early re-union. This must be 

 removed at every dressing, and the matter gently pressed 

 out. When the cavity is emptied, apply a simple cerate 

 or balisicon ointment on a soft rag. When a disposition 

 to form biles appears, they may be prevented by taking 

 a mixture of cream of tartar, and flowers of sulphur,* and 

 by drinking freely of an infusion of sassafras blossoms, or 

 root of dandelion. 



* Take of cream of tartar one ounce, — flowers of sulphur 

 half an ounce, — molasses (or honey if preferred) enough to com" 

 bine the ingredients. Mix thoroughly, and take a table-spoon- 

 ful, three times a day, washing it down with the drinks above 

 prescribed, or water. 



