282 DISEASES OF THE SK[N. 



state of unhealthy suppuration ; so that when the matter is 

 squeezed out there remains only the septa of cysts, and the 

 ragged skin which surrounded them. 



Aug. 5th, 1852. — A horse was brought to me with a wart 

 upon the near side of the prepuce, evidently ^^ shucking ^^ itself 

 out without mortal aid. On grasping it pretty firmly, forth 

 it came, and was found to be about the size of a walnut, 

 liaving a close cellular tunic ; when cut across, it proved to 

 be composed of white, fibro-cartilaginous substance, the 

 interior of which was vascular, while the exterior seemed 

 without blood or even sensibility ; this appears to be the 

 ordinary composition of the common sort of wart. 



Treatment. — Ligature, incision, and cauterization, are 

 the means employed to remove warts; and it depends on 

 the case which of these modes should be adopted. Where 

 the wart grows from a slender root, ligature is the preferable 

 recourse. With a piece of strong silk, doubled and well 

 waxed, encircle the root, and draw it as tight as possible, 

 without cutting into the substance of the part ; the object 

 being, obstructed circulation, and destruction of the vitality 

 of the excrescence. 



The kind of ligature best adapted for strangulating warts 

 and other tumours, is what sailors denominate " the double 

 hitch ;'^ it possesses the advantage, when drawn tight, of 

 requiring no knot. It is very simple in its formation, 

 being made by merely forming two circles with the string 

 or thread; the ends are within the connexion of the two 

 rounds, and when these ends are pulled the connecting 

 portion presses upon them, thereby keeping them firm. 

 This diagram may serve further to explain its peculiarities : 



Should the ligature cut the wart, the budding iron may 



