454 TREATMENT OF CANKER. 



Caustics have obtained — and, I think, deservedly so — most 

 favour; though astringents, stimulants, anti-putrescents,&c. have 

 likewise been introduced, and no doubt on occasions, in certain 

 forms and stages of the disease, have their utility. For the ac- 

 complishment of the primary object, viz., the destruction of the 

 fungus, I am acquainted with no caustic so powerful and effectual 

 as the undiluted nitric acid. Sometimes I use the sesquichloride 

 of antimony (the butter of antimony) ; and, as a variation of the 

 caustic dressing, and one not so virulent as the nitric acid, it is 

 very useful in its turn. I have likewise employed for the pur- 

 pose the various preparations of arsenic, mercury, copper, zinc, 

 &c. ; but though some of these will be found very serviceable 

 as we proceed, there is no dressing so great a favourite with me 

 for the " eating away " of the fungus as nitric acid. Its effect 

 is instantaneous and decided, and its erodent operation is con- 

 fined to the parts it touches. Supposing we make up our mind 

 to previously pare down the sprouting fungus with a sharp knife, 

 the dressing ought immediately to succeed this. In ordinary 

 cases^ however, this is not required. Simply wiping the diseased 

 parts dry will be sufficient ; which done, with a sort of mop — 

 made by twisting a skein of tow around the end of a small stick 

 — the fungus ought to have every part of its surface thoroughly 

 imbued with the acid, by well mopping and rubbing the dressing 

 into its pores and clefts and crevices. Or, should the butter of 

 antimony be preferred, let it be used after the same manner. This 

 done, thick pledgets of fine tow must be laid upon the caute- 

 rized surfaces, and upon them similar pledgets of coarse tow — 

 that answering every purpose for an outer covering, and the 

 whole pressed down with as much force as the diseased parts can 

 bear, and the tout ensemble confined within the hollow of the foot 

 by cross-bars of iron hooping, of the requisite length, driven 

 with a hammer underneath the web of the shoe, and nicely 

 adjusted to their situation by a final blow or two from the 

 hammer at such places as they may shew any appearance of 

 bulging or bowing downward. This is the common mode of 

 securing the dressing when no leather or gutta percha or box 

 shoe is made use of; cases in which, of course, cross-bars will 



