Chap.LVI. Of Cauterizing, i^c^ 21? 



the Moors^zx\^ other Sarbarians^ that they fear their Arm^ 

 and Shoulders, only to ftrengthen them to draw the Bow. 

 The ancient Method was by burning Flax or Cotton under 

 the difeafed Member made into a Pyramidal Form, that the 

 Part might be inured to it by degrees, and fo enabled to bear a 

 neceflary Augmentation of the Flame ; and Sir IVm. Temple 

 had feen fuch good EfFedts from it, that encouraged him to 

 write his Eilay concerning the Cure of the Gout by MoxJy 

 which is only a \im<io^ Cotton fet on Fire in this Manner. 



But whatever Approbation may be given to ^^-^^ ^j^ ^j, 

 this Method of curing Difeafes in the human ^^^ p /^^^ • 

 Body, it is certain the EfFefts of Fire are very 

 extraordinary with Regard to Horfes in old Griefs in the 

 Joints, Smews, and nervous Parts, after they have bid a De- 

 fiance to all artificial Compofitions whatever ; neither will 

 this be thought flrange, if it be confider'd, that thofe Parts 

 are very compad and folid, being compofed of an infinite 

 Number of Fibres and nervous Threads laid fo clofe toge- 

 ther, that there is not a Cavity or Interftice to be difcern*d 

 in them when cut afunder ; and therefore when thefe are 

 obftruded, nothing can be fuppofed to relieve them, but 

 what is of the molt powerful Efficacy. 



Now it is very plain, that adual Fire may be of the great- 

 elllmportance in the removing fuch Obftrudions, and that 

 in a twofold Refped ; FirJ}, As by cauterizing and burning 

 theOutfide, there is a Difcharge made, and of Confequence 

 a Derivation of Matter from the obftruded Part, which 

 muft give more Liberty to the inclofed Fluid ; and Second^ 

 ly. As the Heat communicated in this. Manner by the adive 

 Particles of Fire, muft needs give a fort of new Life and 

 Motion to the vifcid. Juices, which are thus compacted, 

 whereby they become more fitted to make their Way thro' 

 their proper Vents and Paflages, and likewife as it forces 

 the relaxed Fibres to contract themfelves. 



This is fo certain an EfFed of Fire, that it is even plain 

 in thofe Inftances, where many of the poorer fort amonig 

 the Country People cure themfelves of the Kibes, &e. by 

 holding their Heels over burning Coals, or a hot pair of 

 Tongs, tho' they do not fear the Skin, andmany of the good 

 EfFedts which proceed from the Application of Ointments to 

 hard obftinate Swellings and aching Pains in Horfes, are more 

 owing to the hot Bar of Iron made ufe of in the rubbing in 

 of the Ointments, than any medicinal Efficacy in the Oint- 

 ments themfelves, feveral of thefe being no better than com- 



inon Hogs- lard. 



y 3 An4 



