exasperated, and the openings made
for the evacuation of matter were somewhat closed by the swelling. I
now introduced the lunar caustic very freely into these openings, and
reapplied a cold poultice and lotion.

On the following day, I found that my patient had slept well for the
first time since the developement of inflammation, and had suffered
far less, after the smarting pain from the application of the caustic
had subsided, than before; the punctured orifices were open, and the
skin, which was extremely tense the day before, was become soft and
flexible.

From this time, I found nothing necessary but to repeat the
application of the caustic about every third day to subdue
inflammation and to keep the wounds open, which it always effected.
The joint ever afterwards remained stiff, from which we may infer the
violence of the inflammation; and when we consider what was the
constitution of my patient, we cannot, I think, doubt that the caustic
prevented many serious events usually consequent in such cases under
the ordinary treatment.

It is highly worthy of remark, that the good effects of the
application of the caustic, in this case, were too immediate and
distinct to be mistaken.

CASE VIII.

This case illustrates the mode of treatment by the lunar caustic, of
those terrible effects of punctured wounds which have been neglected
in the beginning.

B. Unwin, aged 40, washerwoman, applied to me on July the 10th, 1820,
with severe inflammation and ulceration of the middle finger, arising
from a puncture by a pin or needle some time before; there was much
painful tumefaction, and the integuments had burst along nearly half
of the length of the finger, on the ulnar side, and over the middle
joint on the radial side; the probe did not however pass to the bone
or into the joint. I applied the lunar caustic deep in every part, and
over the whole surface, and enveloped the finger in a cold poultice
covered with cold water.

On the 11th she reported that she had slept well for the first time
during the last fortnight; to-day there is scarcely any pain, but she
complains of soreness; the swelling has greatly subsided. The caustic
was again applied and the poultice and lotion continued.

On the 12th there were still swelling and pain; there was considerable
bleeding from the wound, so that I could not apply the caustic well.

On the 13th the swelling and pain were nearly gone. I repeated the
caustic which induce