BPONGIA Oi 1 JCINALIS. 2.*^ 



and compressible substance, readily absorbing any fluid in which it 

 is immersed, and again yielding it up on being compressed. It 

 grows into irregular lobes of a woolly consistence, and is found 

 o-enerally adhering by abroad base to submarine rocks. " When," 

 says Mr. Bingley, " sponge is cut perpendicularly, it is found to con- 

 sist internally of numerous small anastomosing tubes, which divide 

 into branches as they appear on the surface of the sponge, and 

 ending in the outside in an infinite number of small holes, which 

 are the proper mouths of the animal. Each of these holes is 

 surrounded by a few erect pointed fibres or little spines. The tubes 

 in the living state of the sponge, are filled with a gelatinous sub- 

 stance, which may be called the flesh of the animal." 



Sponge is found in the Indian, American, and Norwegian seas ; 

 it is an object of commerce in the Mediterranean, and in several 

 of the islands of the Grecian Archipelago. Sponge yields, on 

 analysis, an animal gluten, albumen, carbonate of lime, some traces 

 of phosphate of soda, carbonate of ammonia, and ioduret of iron. 



Uses.— Sponge, in its unprepared state, is frequently employed 

 in surgery as a compress for suppressing haemorrhages, and for 

 absorbing the acrid discharge from ulcers. Prepared Sponge is 

 sometimes used as a tent for dilating sinuses and small openings. 

 For this purpose the sponge is immersed in melted wax, and 

 subjected to pressure between two iron plates. As soon as cold, 

 the substance thus formed may be cut into pieces of any shape, 

 so as to be introduced where necessary. From the melting of the 

 wax, in consequence of the heat of the part, the Sponge gradually 

 expands, and thus distends the opening. Burnt Sponge has been 

 celebrated as a remedy in bronchocele, scrofulous affections, her- 

 petic eruptions, and in cases of chronic enlargement of the pros- 

 tate gland. Dr. Thompson assures us he has witnessed its efficacy 

 in scirrhous testicle, when given in combination with cinchona 

 bark. In bronchocele, it is said to be most effectual when given 

 in the form of electuary and lozenge, and allowed to dissolve slowly 

 in the mouth. The mode of its operation has not been hitherto 

 ascertained. By some, the virtues of burnt sponge are supposed to 

 reside in the alkali, or in the charcoal which it contains ; and later 



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