CHAPTER VI. 



OPERATIONS, ETC., ETC. 



SETONS. 



Setons are useful in various cases in abscesses, such as 

 occur in poll evil ; in deep fistulous wounds they are in- 

 dispensable. They promote discharge in the neighbor- 

 hood of an inflammation. They are made of tow and 

 horse hair, braided together, or a small cord or a strap 

 of leather may be used ; they are inserted by means of 

 an instrument resembling a large needle, either through 

 abscesses, or the base of ulcers with deep sinuses, or be- 

 tween the skin and the muscular or other substances be- 

 neath. They are retained there by the ends being tied 

 together, or by a knot at each end. The tape is moved 

 in the wound twice or thrice in the day, and occasionally 

 wetted with spirits of turpentine, or some acrid fluid, in 

 order to increase the inflammation which it produces, or 

 the discharge which is intended to be established.' 



In inflammation of the chest or intestines, a rowel is 

 preferable to a seton, where the inflammation has long 

 continued, but not intense. Rowels will be serviceable 

 by producing an irritation and discharge. The action of 

 rowels is slower than setons or blistering. 



