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persons as an application to the foot in cases of injuries by nails penetrating 

 the sole. Burnt leather is another firm and universal favourite, only second, 

 I think, to cow dung, and is further valued, according to some, for promoting 

 the growth of hair. A more improper remedy than cow dung in cases of 

 penetrating wounds of the foot could hardly be thought of, and burnt leather 

 has no virtue in making the hair grow. If a poultice is necessary where the 

 foot is concerned, linseed meal or bran,, or marshmellows, will be found much 

 better and cleaner. 



Then there are peojUe who must apply sulphate of copper (blue-stone) to 

 every wound, whether it is wanted or not. Blue-stone may be used in cases 

 where the proud tle-sh or granulations are excessive, but I am not aware that 

 it does much good otherwise, its action being more of a caustic, killing living 

 tissues, and retarding rather than assisting the reparative process of nature, 

 and, therefore, should be used sparingly and with caution. 



A very common practice is blowing ground glass into the eye, with the 

 idea that it will do good in helping to remove opacities of the glassy portion 

 (cornea) caused by injuries. Is it possible to think of a more barbarous 

 remedy, which can only act something after the fashion of sandpaper on this 

 most sensitive and delicate organ. Let anybody try to imagine the effect of 

 finely powdered glass being suddenly blown into the eye. We have all 

 occasionally experienced the pain and inconvenience resulting from a small 

 speck having got into the e.ve, but think of this one speck multiplied thousands 

 of times, grating and rubbing against the ball of the eye and surrounding 

 structures. Of all the mad notions that ever entered the brain of man, and 

 their name is legion, surely none ever equalled in absurdity this powdered 

 glass treatment as applied to the eye. 



With regard to wounds pure and simple, it is well to rememlier that when 

 liringing the edges together it is advisable to take up a fair amount of skin, 

 as unless this is done the sticthes are liable to cut through if they have to 

 support much weight. I need hardly say that each stitch must be entirely 

 separate and tied on its own and it would never do to stitch away after the 

 style of a tailor stitching a piece of cloth. Tliis would not answer at all, as 

 one iiart breaking, the whole would give way and our labour would be in vain. 

 What Is known, therefore, in surgery as the •' interrupted " suture or stitch 

 is the proper thing. The best sort of needle (they are of various sizes for 

 different work) is one with a lance point and slightly curved. Ordinary 

 needles are very difficult to pass through the skin and are awkward in many 

 ways. Silk suture thread (carbolised) is very good, but ordinary twine, as 

 long as it is clean and uucoloured, may be used at a pinch, previously having 

 dipped it in some antiseptic solution. 



One has to use common sense in every case and do what is best, always, 

 as far as possible, sticking closel.v to the principle of things as laid down by 

 the highest authorities and not bothering about fads and petty details. 



Do not be prejudiced against twine because it is called twine, but be 

 careful that it is clean, which is far more important than what material it is 

 made of. ('at-gut makes good suture if procurable, and also wire made of 

 silvrt' is u.seful in special cases, but the latter must be removed when the 



