SPAVINS. 57 



place over it a piece of flannel, and fasten on 

 with the elbow-bandage as before described. 

 In every eight-and-forty hours repeat this 

 operation for a week (with the same prepa- 

 ration), which has been attended with cer- 

 tain success in a multipUcity of cases, par- 

 ticularly in the ipetropohs of Ireland, where 

 the most eminent practitioners (and very able 

 they are) prefer it to our general method, 

 which will be hereafter described. The great 

 advantage resulting from this kind of blister 

 is its immediate stimulus upon the parts, from 

 which it derived a very speedy and plentiful 

 discharge. The hair is raised up, and be- 

 comes what is termed pen- feathered, during 

 the efflux of serum, in large proportion ; 

 Avhich, subsiding, forms a kind of scurf, and 

 may be all brought away in a few days by 

 washing two or three times with soap and 

 water ; leaving no scar or trace of external 

 application behind. And surely this method, 

 justified by success and experience, niu.^t be 

 preferable to the long-standing opinion of 

 instrumental extirpation. As for insta:?'Ce, 

 an incision is to be made through the sk.n, 

 of sufficient length, to admit of the virgin's 

 being taken up, above and below the enlarg 

 ment, by passing a crooked needle, furni.:>ui 



