294 Notices respecting New Books. 



cantharides. I have since employed the Blisterer upon many 

 patients, both women and men, selecting those who had lately 

 been blistered with the cantharides plaster; and they affirm, 

 that the momentary endurance of the instrument is preferable 

 to the former method ; and where a repetition of blistering has 

 since been required, those patients ask for the quick process." 



This method of blistering consists in applying the metallic 

 instrument, heated to the temperature of 212° by immersing 

 the head of it in boiling water for five minutes, to the part in- 

 tended to be blistered, previously covering the part with a 

 piece of silk moistened with warm water; the instrument re- 

 quires to be gently pressed against the part, and if the blis- 

 terer has not been longer than five minutes out of the boiling 

 water, the pressure need not be continued more than three or 

 four seconds. The fh'st effect is a corrugation and paleness 

 of the skin ; the red blood soon returning, an inflamed red- 

 ness appears, which gradually proceeds to discharge a fluid 

 (the serum) and to detach the cuticle. After wiping the part 

 <lry it is to be covered with soft dry linen, and when the pro- 

 cess is completed, it must be dressed with Kirkland's Neutral 

 Cerate, this being preferable to soft greasy ointments. 



Applying the instrument immediately at its highest tempera- 

 ture, and holding it firmly on the part ten seconds, it will pro- 

 duce an eschar otic effect^ and the size of the eschar maybe deter- 

 mined by applying one or other of the surfaces of the instru- 

 ment. If a rubefacient effect only is required, the part must 

 then be covered with dry silk, and the instrument moved 

 slowly over the surface, until a sufficient degree of pain and 

 redness arise. The metallic head of the instrument will re- 

 tain a blistering temperature for nearly fifteen minutes, whilst 

 its ready transmission of heat gives it more potency than water 

 or any slower conducting substance. Sir A. Carlisle wishes 

 the application of it to be restricted to medical men ; but we 

 fear they will find great difficulty in obtaining the consent of 

 their patients. 



Its application to the palm or back of the hand or the soles of 

 the feet, or to the wrists or ancles or upper part of the foot, is 

 inadmissible, because of their exposed bones, tendons, and li- 

 gaments. — Were we to offer any objections «to its use, they 

 would be merely conjectural ; but we will venture to ask, 

 whether the slow action of the common blister is not more 

 likely to extend its influence deeper than the quick process 

 here recommended ? and whether, as the body is obnoxious 

 to severe and sudden pain, bad consequences might not some- 

 times follow from a sudden burn, as this in fact is? 



The instrument is sold by Messrs. Stodart, 401, Strand. 



XLV. Pro- 



