FISTULA. 171 



pated exadlly as before delcribed ; ufing neither 

 corrofives or cauftics, but adhering to the me- 

 thod of keeping down fungus, or excrcfcences, 

 by the application of unflacked lime in the 

 lump, (for a few minutes), or previoufly 

 powdered, where the wound will not admit 

 of its ufe in the other form. This method 

 fhould have the preference on all occafions; 

 for which a very predominant reafon may be 

 urged, that^ receiving its power only from the 

 moilf ure it imbibes from the part, it immedi- 

 diately performs the purpofe it is intended to 

 execute, and becomes diredly inadive : where- 

 as the favourite articles oi aqiiaf otitis , cilofii- 

 triol, and mercury, not only abfolutely Civu- 

 TERize or BURN all the part, but raife a great 

 degree of inflammation upon the furrounding 

 veffels, and evidently increafe the mifchief they 

 were intended to prevent. The detergent wash 

 before mentioned, cannot be too frequently 

 ufed till the wound bears marks of amend- 

 ment ; and care mud be taken in the fepar- 

 ation of all fiftulous finufes to leave the orifice 

 or opening as much declining as poflible, that 

 the matter may naturally pafs downwards, 

 without being fubjedl to a probability of re- 

 tention. 



Thus 



