so
that the center of the tumor is soft when the patient is first presented
for treatment. It is always good surgery to relieve the tumor of pus
whenever its presence can be detected; hence, in these cases a free
incision must be made into the softened parts, the pus evacuated, and
the foot poulticed.

By surgical interference the tumor is now converted into an open sore or
ulcer, which, after it has been well cleaned by warm baths and poultices
applied for two or three days, needs to be protected by proper
dressings. The best of all protective dressings is made of small balls,
or pledgets, of oakum, carefully packed into the wound and held in place
by a roller bandage 4 yards long, from 3 to 4 inches wide, made of
common bedticking and skillfully applied.

The remedies which may be used to stimulate the healing process are
many, and, as a rule, they are applied in the form of solutions or
tinctures.

In my own practice I prefer a solution of bichlorid of mercury 1 part,
water 500 parts, with a few drops of muriatic acid or a few grains of
muriate of ammonia added to dissolve the mercury. The balls of oakum are
wet with this solution before they are applied to the wound.

Among the other remedies which may be used, and perhaps with equally as
good results, will be noted the sulphate of copper, iron, and zinc, 5
grains of either to the ounce of water; chlorid of zinc, 5 grains to the
ounce; carbolic acid, 20 drops dissolved in an equal quantity of
glycerin and added to 1 ounce of water; and nitrate of silver, 10 grains
to the ounce of water.

If the wound is slow to heal, it will be found of advantage to change
the remedies every few days.

If the wound is pale in color, the granulations transparent and
glistening, the tincture of aloes, tincture of gentian, or the spirits
of camphor may do best.

When the sore is red in color and healing rapidly, an ointment made of 1
part of carbolic acid to 40 parts of cosmoline or vaseline is all that
is needed.

If the granulations continue to grow until a tumor is formed which
projects beyond the surrounding skin, it should be cut off with a sharp,
clean knife, and the foot poulticed for twenty-four hours, after which
the wound is to be well cauterized daily with lunar caustic and the
bandages applied with great firmness.

The question as to how often the dressings should be renewed must be
determined by the condition of the wound, etc. If the sore is
suppurating free