\ 
LINT AS USED AT THE LONDON HOSPITAL. 163 
to say that, considering the qualities which good lint should pos" 
sess, of a smooth and soft surface, the flue not easily separated from 
the fabric, the fabric itself having closeness of texture and sub- 
stance, with a capability of being torn without fraying the adjoin- 
ing part, I think the specimen marked " best Lint, old kind,"* 
has these qualities in the highest degree, and is that to which I 
should be disposed to give the preference. Some of the pieces, 
however, are irregular on the edge, which will induce some waste 
in use. From its possessing the above-mentioned qualities, it ap- 
pears to me best suited for the spreading of ointment, the applica- 
tion of lotions, and the formation of compresses, these being the 
more common purposes to which lint is applied. 
The specimen marked " Taylor's patent Lint," I think is next 
to be preferred, and its qualities approach very closely to those of 
the " old kind." It has a good surface and fabric, and tears well. 
The edges are even, and its width convenient, and probably there 
would be less waste in use. 
" Taylor's superior Flax Lint " is also a good lint, and pos- 
sesses sufficiency of substance and regularity of fracture. It, how- 
ever, possesses the defect, in a slight degree, of the flue being too 
readily detached from the fabric, and on that account is not so 
well adapted for the spreading of ointment, as the specimens be- 
fore-mentioned. 
" Wackerbath and Ross's superior golden Flax Lint " has the 
same defect of flue being too readily detachable from the fabric, 
but in a higher degree than the preceding. It is frayed also by 
tearing. 
" Tipton's patent Lint" has the flue still more loosely connect- 
ed with the fabric, so that it is easily raised when ointment of any 
consistence is spread upon it. It is only four and a half inches in 
width ; and although it tears more readily than any of the above 
specimens, it does so in the direction of its length, which appears 
to me to be inconvenient. 
" Toswill's patent Lint"! is a thready material — the threads 
running longitudinally, but are connected by a very few transverse 
filaments. It is very easily torn in the long direction, but is at 
* Manufactured by Mr. Oyler, 2 York Street, Camden Town. 
fOn inquiry we find that this variety of lint is not now manufactured. 
The sample had been some years in our possession. 
