WOUNDS. 151 



ter, ill not leaving sufficient room for a pro- 

 per digestion. But in general, where the 

 edges are expeditiously secured and brought 

 into tolerable contact, the wound is very little 

 trouble ; the soft parts unite favourably by 

 the adhesive quality of the blood, and the 

 cicatrix is speedily formed, without applica- 

 tion to the elaborate preparations of art. In 

 cases of this kind the dressings should not 

 be taken off in less than eight-and-forty hours ; 

 and, if a large wound, (where the bleeding 

 was difficult to suppress) not less than three 

 days, unless the part has begun to digest, 

 and a perceptible discharge is come on ; or 

 the parts surrounding the wound are very 

 much inflamed ; in which case the following 

 mild POULTICE may be applied : 



Take of bread and barley-meal equal parts ; 



Goulard's vege to- mineral water sufficient to make it 



of a proper consistence ; and add 

 Lard four or six ounces, at least enough to keep it 



jBufficientlj moist. 



Let this be renewed twice every day till 

 the swelling or inflammation subsides, and 

 the wound bes;ins to digest or dischar^^e fa- 

 vourably. 



