Part 2 (2/2)

In connexion with punctured wounds I here subjoin several cases of the bites of animals.

CASE IX.

James Joynes, aged 12, was bitten by an a.s.s, on each side of the middle finger; the wounds were severe, and almost immediately followed by swelling and great pain. The lunar caustic was well applied within half an hour after the accident.

On the succeeding day, the eschar was found to be quite adherent, and the pain and swelling had subsided.

The eschar separated in about twelve days and the wounds were healed.

CASE X.

Mr. Worth's daughter, aged six, was thrown down by a dog and bitten severely on the face and forehead in three places; one of the wounds in the cheek was deep from the penetration of the dog's front teeth, and the parts were much bruised. The lunar caustic was well applied in half an hour after the accident to each of the wounds, and the eschar was covered with gold-beater's skin.

On the next day the eschars were adherent. There was some swelling from the severity of the bruise; but the child made little complaint.

On the third day, the swelling remained as before and the eschar adherent. On the fourth, the swelling had nearly disappeared.--The eschar separated in nine days from the infliction of the wound, leaving the parts healed and free from scar.

CASE XI.

Mrs. G. was bitten by a little dog on forefinger about a fortnight ago. There is now a very irritable, inflamed, fungous sore. I removed the fungous by a pair of scissors and applied the lunar caustic to form an eschar.

On the succeeding day, I found that the patient had applied a little lint before the eschar was dry, which had prevented it from remaining adherent. I reapplied the caustic and desired that the eschar might be exposed to dry.

The eschar remained adherent, the inflammation subsided and the case gave no further trouble.

CASE XII.

A servant maid was bitten by a dog in four places--severely on the forearm--three days ago. Adhesive plaster had been applied. There is a wound across the arm two inches in length and three-fourths of an inch in breadth, attended by dull pain, and swelling of the arm. I applied the caustic to form an eschar, covering it with goldbeater's skin.

On the following day the eschar remained adherent round the edges, but had a puffy feel in the centre; I pierced it with a penknife and a little b.l.o.o.d.y fluid escaped, and I touched the orifice thus made with the caustic. The swelling remained as before, with a degree of soreness.

On the next day the swelling had subsided. The eschar had the same character; a little fluid was again evacuated and the caustic applied to the orifice as before.

This mode of treatment was pursued for nine successive days when the eschar remained adherent in every part.

This patient continued her usual avocations all along. Under any other plan of treatment I think it impossible that she should not have been compelled to rest for a number of days.

Adherent eschars were formed on the other three bites which were less severe, from the first application.

A very irritable sore sometimes forms after the application of leeches. I knew one lady who was confined during five weeks with several sores on her foot from such a case. I have no doubt that the application of the caustic would have prevented all the inconvenience and suffering she experienced. This observation will be confirmed by the following case.

CASE XIII.

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