eely over and beyond the inflamed parts,
and I have had the satisfaction to find that the inflammation has been
arrested in its progress and has shortly subsided.

This mode of treatment is particularly useful in cases of punctured
and lacerated wounds from various instruments, such as needles, nails,
hooks, bayonets, saws, &c. and in the bites of animals, leech-bites,
stings of insects, &c. In considerable lacerations the same objection
would exist to this treatment as in large ulcers.

The dreadful effects of punctures from needles, scratches from bone,
or other injuries received in dissection, are totally prevented by
this treatment. I have for the last five years had frequent
opportunities of trying it in these cases and have the most perfect
confidence in its success.

The advantage of these modes of treating punctured wounds will however
be best explained and established by a selection of cases, to which I
can add particular remarks as they may be suggested by peculiarities
in the cases themselves.

CASE I.

A.B. received a severe punctured wound by a hook of the size of a
crow-quill, which pierced into the flesh between the thumb and
fore-finger on the outside of the hand; scarcely a drop of blood
followed, but there was immediately severe pain and tumefaction. The
lunar caustic was applied without loss of time, deep within the
orifice and around the edge of the wound; and the eschar was left to
dry. The smarting pain induced by the caustic was severe for a time
but gradually subsided.

On the ensuing day, the eschar was adherent and there was little pain;
but there was more swelling than usual after the prompt application of
the caustic, owing to the mobility of the part.

On the third day the swelling remained as before, and there was a
little sense of heat. On the fourth day the swelling and heat had
subsided, and the eschar remained adherent. On the succeeding day the
eschar had been removed by washing the hand, and the puncture was
unhealed but free from pain and irritation. The caustic was
reapplied.

From this time the eschar remained adherent, and at length gradually
separated leaving the part perfectly well.

It is quite certain that under any other mode of treatment this severe
puncture would have greatly inflamed and have proved very painful and
troublesome; and it is not improbable but that suppuration and much
suffering might have ensued. All this is effectually and almost
certainly pr