3JG ArrENDix. — d. 



not t'Hdily restrained. In such rases, a hz/dilif/g inm, so called 

 among tairiers, is an ajipropiiate instrument ; or even a kitchen 

 poker, or any other iron whose surface can be adapted to tlu 

 forni-'of the wound, when heated red-hot, may be used. 



" Vausficx, or the potential cautery may be applied under many 

 forms. The caustic jiotass or potash, formed into a solid body, 

 ami then called lajyis infcrnaUs, is a very powerful escharotic ; 

 and, when an extensive surface not in the neighborhood of very 

 important parts is to be destroyed, it may be employed ; but, it 

 should be remembered that it liquefies speedily, and therefore. 

 when great nicety is required, and a slow destruction of parts 

 is advisable, as about the head, or in the vicinity of important 

 vessels and nerves, it is less eligible. It is also supposed that it 

 becomes decomposed by the blood, and loses much of its 

 activity. If caustics be used, Mr. H. Earle recommended strong 

 nitric acid, which by its fluidity might extend itself in ever;, 

 direction, and would therefore be very proper where ihere is 

 an extensive laceration. The nitrate of silver, usually called 

 lunar caustic, liquefies less speedily, and is equally powerful, 

 provided a longer time be allowed for its operation. In some 

 cases it is recommended to be powdered and sprinkled over a 

 surface, or to be inserted within a deeper wound, mixed with 

 an equal part of other matter, to lessen its potency, and an ad- 

 hesive plaister then applied over to confine its effects. This 

 method, as regards animals, can only be advisable when a very 

 extensive laceration with numerous jagged edges and sinuosities 

 exists, particularly in the neighborhood of such important parts 

 that the knife cannot be wholly depended on : in all others, 

 this plan would occasion so much pain and resistance on the 

 part of the animal, as to defeat its intention, by being rubbed or 

 torn off. I have, through a very long practice, adhered to the 

 use of this form of caustic, as the most manageable and effective 

 of all the escharotics. It may lie cut or scraped to any shape, 

 and long habit has enabled me to make the eschar thick or thin, 

 deep or superficial, at pleasure. In a word, it is slow but cer- 

 tain. Muriate of antimony, called hutter of antimony, is a very 



