100 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



exudation is great, it is apt to form hard crusts with it, which are 

 troublesome. We generally prefer, therefore, mealy powders, 

 or any matter which is entirely mealy and perfectly dry, but, 

 if I mistake not, not of the finest kind. I would say, that our 

 oatmeal, when perfectly free from all parts of the husk, affords a 

 fitter powder than what is commonly called flour, which, from 

 its fineness is more apt to run into paste with the moisture." 



DCCXII. An Erysipelas phlegmonodes frequently appears 

 on other parts of the body beside the face ; and such other ery- 

 sipelatous inflammations frequently end in suppuration. These 

 cases are seldom dangerous. At coming on, they are sometimes 

 attended with drowsiness, and even with some delirium ; but 

 this rarely happens ; and these symptoms do not continue after 

 the inflammation is formed. I have never seen an instance of 

 the translation of this inflammation from the limbs to an in- 

 ternal part ; and though these inflammations of the limbs be at- 

 tended with pyrexia, they seldom require the same evacuations 

 as the erysipelas of the face. At first they are to be treated by 

 dry mealy applications only ; and all humid applications, as 

 fomentations, or poultices, are not to be applied, till, by the 

 continuance of the disease, by the increase of swelling, or by 

 a throbbing felt in the part, it appears that the disease is pro- 

 ceeding to suppuration. 



DCCXIII. We have hitherto considered erysipelas as in a 

 great measure of a phlegmonic nature ; and, agreeably to that 

 opinion, we have proposed our method of cure. But it is prob- 

 able, that an erysipelas is sometimes attended with, or is a 

 symptom of a putrid fever ; and, in such cases, the evacuations 

 proposed above may be improper, and the use of the Peruvian 

 bark may be necessary ; but I cannot be explicit upon this 

 subject, as such putrid cases have not come under my observa- 

 tion. 



u A considerable difference will arise from considering the 

 fever which accompanies erysipelas, whether it is a Synocha, as 

 we have said in the character, or a Typhus, as has been sup- 

 posed by some. In the character I have followed my own ob- 

 servation, giving what is the most common case. But I am far 

 from being positive that I am right in mentioning this as uni- 

 versal. There are cases of erysipelas with circumstances which 



