S P L E N T S. 53 



to judge whether any perceptible advantage has 

 been obtained from the force of thefe power- 

 ful repellents : if not, procure two ounces of 

 the ftrongeft mercurial ointment, and let the 

 fize of a hazel nut be well rubbed in upon the 

 part afFeded, every night and morning, till the 

 whole is confumed, ufing the roller each night, 

 and taking it oiF in the morning. If this does 

 not fucceed, the beft and moft fpeedy method 

 will be the immediate extirpation, by making 

 a longitudinal incifion (" without bruifing^ 

 *^ hamf?ie7'ing" &c.) through the integuments, 

 differing and extrafting the fubftance, com- 

 pleting the cure by taking pp a couple of 

 flitches, and treating it as a fuperficial wound ; 

 for which diredions will be found under that 

 head. 



Notwithftanding the variety of opinions in- 

 culcated, and inftrudions laid down, to ob- 

 tain a radical cure, it becomes a matter of 

 doubt whether a little deliberation, previous 

 to a rafh execution, may not prove the moft 

 ufeful monitor of the two; that is, if the 

 fplent is not produdive of lamenefs or dif-. 

 quietude, forming no inconvenience but an 

 external appearance, whether it may not be 

 E 3 moft 



