156 WOUNDS. 



weapons, the operator standing bewildered 

 in a labyrinth, from which he is in possession 

 of no clue to escape. No day produces a 

 change but for the worse; the wound is 

 dressed, dressed, and DRESSED AGAIN! 

 still no sign of relief, no favouring power 

 presides, nor any prevailing genius ap- 

 pears, but the predominant GENIUS of 

 DULLNESS, wlio, anxious to increase the 

 ''mischief she has made/' prompts him to 

 finish with fortitude what lie had commenced 

 in stupidity ! To confess the least degree of 

 inability would be degradation of dignity; 

 therefore, on he goes [Ranger like), " neck 

 OR NOTHING !" stroug digcstivcs (and those 

 scalding too) follow, but follow in vain. No 

 improvement, no enliv-ening ray, longer to 

 keep np the farce of professional infalli- 

 biiii}': no lucky alternative but mercuri/y 

 vitriol, and all the family o( Jire renewed, 

 till the serious ceremony terminates in an 

 inveterate ulcer, or confirmed fistula, as will 

 be separately treated on under those heads. 



There are certain wounds that occur mAich 

 more frequently than any other ; and though 

 in themselves not at all dangerous, yet some- 



