GREASE. 283 



be applied to the surface. Encysted warts require nothing 

 more than incisions across their surface : they will then leave 

 the envelops, and tlie cavities will heal up without assistance. 

 When warts have broad bases, caustic is more effectual than 

 ligature. We moisten the fore-finger, dip it into powdered 

 white arsenic, and sprinkle a thin layer of the substance 

 upon the wart. In the course of a week, blackness and 

 coldness will be perceived, and in another week or two 

 the wart will fall off. The great advantage of employing 

 arsenic is, that no wart ever grows in the place on 

 which it has been used. Sulphur made into a paste with 

 sulphuric acid will answer the same purpose. The chloride 

 of zinc^ powdered and rubbed with Unguent. Simplex, is 

 used by Field with much success for the destruction of 

 warts. The French use lunar caustic, or else the sulphuret 

 of arsenic. There .are some parts of the body to which 

 the employment of caustic might be dangerous, such as the 

 edges of the eyelids, &c. ; in such cases the knife is used. 



GREASE. 



The skin of an animal is a secretive organ : its surface 

 everywhere emits exhalation, which, though generally in- 

 sensible, is nevertheless constantly going on, and attracts 

 notice the moment it issues in the form of perspiration. 

 In addition, particular parts have additional secretions : the 

 membrane lining the ear generates a waxy matter, and the 

 heel produces a greasy substance for the purpose of keeping 

 the part supple. And it is the inordinate secretion of this 

 peculiar matter which constitutes the disorder denominated 

 grease. I see nothing peculiar or specific in the disease 

 itself; for simple irritation — abrasion with the halter-rope for 

 example — produces what appears to be precisely similar con- 

 sequences ; all that is peculiar or specific about it arises from 

 the structure of the part affected. This is the view Professor 

 Coleman used to take in his lectures; and it is one which 



' Paste may be made of it, composed of one part of chloride of zinc, two 

 parts wheaten flour, and a sufficiency of any fluid. 



