Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/386

552] WOU leaf, or the common stickfng-plas- fer of the shops, should be s(>fedily applied. Thus artisaiis, working with edged tools, very properly treat the frequent accidents of this na- ture : and, though the wound may extend even to the bone, yet it will in this simple manner, be safe- ly and expeditiously healed. Nay, daily experience evinces, that exter- nal injuries of the head, neck, breast, &c. may be successfully tieated by a similar method, espe- cially by the aid of slips of adhe- hesive plaster ; which, in the latter bituation, must be apphed to the pirt during the att of hispiring; so that it may not be displaced by the alternate expansion aiid contraction of the muscles in breathing ; and that it may prove no impediment in that important process of the animal economy. Where, how- ever, a wounded part has been ne- glected, aiifl exhibits rough edges ; or, if the skin and muscles have been lacerated, a ditferent treat- ment must be adopted : in these cases, a pledget or lint dipped in sweet-oil, should be applied to the injured spot, and the whole covered "with a piece of fine oil-ciolh. Alter 24 hours, the first dressing may be removed, without tearing or break- ing the small fibres adhering to tiie lint 5 when the pledget ought to be renewed. On such occasions, a proper bandage will be indispen- sably necessary, in order to pro- mote the jun6ture of the lips of the wound -J but, in case the latter shew a disposition to suppurate, the use of oil will be hurtful j as the woimd must be treated in the manner pointed out, under the article Ulcek. In frgsh wounds, or in severe bruises, the application of cold wa- ter is strongly recommeaded by WOU Naknoki, an Italian; and Ar- quebusade water, by THEDtK, the first German surgeon. — Percy ad- vises the following efficacious oint- ment : Take a small glassful of the clarified juice exjiressed from the green leaves of the burdock, and a similar portion of almond or olive- oil: these liquids must be duly in- corporated in a pewter vessel or mortar, by means of a leaden pestle. Thus, a green ointment will be ob- tained, which may be spread on lint or soft linen, and applied to the wound every 12 hours, or of- tener. This preparation softens the callous edges of the ulcer, and cleanses the latter, while it equally promotes sup|>uratioj) and cicatri- zation. If the fungous flesh grow too rapidly, the simple juice of bur- dock, without the oil, will be pre- ferable. At each dressing, the pledget or lint may be covi red with a fresh leaf of the same plant ; which may also be laid on tlie newly formed scar, with a view to render it more finn. — As the un- guent above described is in great estimation on the Continent, Dr, Unzbh adds, that it may be pre- seii'cd for a considerable time, when kept in a cool place ; or, for long voyages, it should be boiled, and allowed to become cold, two or three different times, till it ac- quire a thick consistence. M. de Kesskl, a respedabld German writer, observes from long experience, that new honey spread on folded linen, affords an excel- lent remedy for fresh and bleeding wounds, which ought not to be washed or otherwise handled; pro- vided they contain no foreign sub- stances, for instance, glass, splin- ters, ike. If they happen to be deep, or have large orifices, the honey-plaster should be repeated every