RECEIPT BOOK. 67 



as though he were shot with a bullet through the 

 head. 



Setons 



Are often used in keeping up a drain to draw 

 what are termed humors from parts; or by their ir- 

 ritations on one part, they lessen the inflammation 

 in ;iauihei- part not very remote, as when applied in 

 the cheek for ophthalmia or inflamed eyes. They 

 also in the same way lesson old swellings by excit- 

 ing absorption. Another useful action they have 

 is to make a dependent or convenient orifice for 

 the escape of lodged matter: thus a seton passed 

 from the upper part of the opening of pole evil, 

 through the upper part of the integuments of the 

 neck, as low as the sinuses run, will often effect a 

 cure witiiout farther application. ' The same with 

 fistulous withers, which sometimes run under the 

 shoulder blade, and appear at the arm point; in 

 which case a blunt seton needle, of sufficient length 

 to be passed down to that point, and to be then cut 

 down upon, will form the only efficient mode of 

 treatment. Setons may be passed in domestic far- 

 riery, with a common packing needle, and a skein 

 of thread, or piece of tape: but in professional far- 

 riery they are made by a proper needle armed with 

 tape or lamp cotton, or skains of thread or silk 

 smeared over with digestive ointment. When the 

 seton needle is removed, the ends of the tape 

 should be joined together, or otherwise knotted, to 

 prevent them from coming out. 



Rowels 

 In their intention act as setons, and as irritating 

 a larger surface, so when a general drain is requir- 

 ed they act better; as in grease, &c. but when 



