354 THERAPEUTIC TIIEATMENT OF FARCY. 



the red-hot iron, while its base and interior altogether is destroyed, 

 and the result is a slough, followed commonly by a superficial 

 ulcer of larger dimensions than the original pustule, and presenting 

 a healthy granulating surface ; and this ulcer is in the end, under 

 judicious management, very often got to heal. Should we suffer 

 the pustule to burst of itself, we may still cauterize its base with 

 the budding-iron ; or, if we prefer it, we may rub it with pencil- 

 lated lunar caustic : at all events, some caustic or strong escharotic 

 dressing will be demanded; without it we shall never obtain what 

 we so much desire — a healthy granulative action. The bottom of 

 the ulcer once cleaned out, dressings of various kinds, depending 

 upon its aspect — healing or spreading, sloughy, stationar}^, &c. — 

 will be required by it afterwards : commonly, mild escharotic 

 applications answer best, though, at times, stimulant or astringent 

 ones appear preferable ; in short, the selection of a dressing must 

 be left entirely to the judgment of the practitioner. For my 

 own part, I like water or spirituous dressings better than greasy 

 ones, and have ordinarily observed the best effects from such as 

 these : — Solvtions of lunar caustic, of the sulphates of copper and 

 zinc, and of alwn ; and the tinctures of benzoin, and of tnyrrh 

 ivith aloes. The nitric acid lotion is an excellent dressing for 

 sloughy sores ; and the solution of chloride of lime an admirable 

 one for such as secrete fetid or offensive matters. The ulcers 

 should always be cleaned, and have any hairs shooting over their 

 edges trimmed off, preparatory to their being dressed of a morn- 

 ing; and it tends to the preservation of them in cleanliness, and 

 promotes their healing tendencies as well, to besprinkle their sur- 

 faces, immediately after dressing them, with some absorbent powder, 

 some powder that will imbibe the discharges, correct any acri- 

 mony in them, and at the same time have some effect in restrain- 

 ing their production ; and I know of no one that answers all these 

 ends better than common (baker's) flour. It should be made as 

 dry as possible before being used, and may, when required to be 

 additionally astringent, have some powdered alum mixed with it. 

 As a change, on occasions we may employ for the same purpose 

 powdered hark or calamine. Mr. Turner recommends a strong 

 solution of sulphate of iron to be plentifully applied over the 



